Scams and Fraud
Catch up Latest Scams and Fraud
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: This resource provides information on common types of scams, how to recognize them, and how to protect yourself from fraud and scams. It also offers advice on how to report scams and fraud
- USAGov: This website provides information on how to protect yourself from scams and fraud, including identity theft. It also offers advice on how to report scams to the appropriate authorities
- FBI: The FBI’s website provides information on common scams and crimes, including business email compromise and charity fraud scams. It also offers tips on how to prevent yourself from being victimized
- FTC Report Fraud: This website allows you to report fraud, scams, and bad business practices to the Federal Trade Commission. Reporting fraud can help protect your community from scams and fraud
- Texas Attorney General: This website provides information on common scams, including tech support scams and IRS or government imposter scams. It also offers tips on how to avoid becoming a victim of these scams
How to recognize and avoid phishing scams?
- Be wary of unexpected messages: Scammers often use unexpected messages that look like they’re from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company. If you receive a message that you weren’t expecting, be cautious and don’t click on any links or download any attachments
- Check the sender’s information: If you receive an email or text message from someone you don’t know, or if the sender’s information looks suspicious, don’t respond or click on any links. Scammers often use fake email addresses or phone numbers to trick people into thinking the message is legitimate
- Look for warning signs: Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. Some common warning signs include urgent calls to action, threats, or requests for personal or financial information
- Use anti-phishing tools: Many modern browsers have built-in protection against fraudulent sites, and most antivirus and security suite products add their own protection against phishing. These tools can help you avoid phishing scams
Report suspicious messages: If you receive a suspicious message, report it to the appropriate authorities. You can report spam or other suspicious messages to your email provider, block unwanted messages and calls, or report scam phone calls to the Federal Trade Commission
Remember, scammers are always coming up with new ways to trick people, so it’s important to stay vigilant and informed. If you suspect that you are being phished, stop and think before taking any action. Do your research and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
What are some common types of phishing scams?
- Email phishing: This is the most common type of phishing attack, where the scammer will register a fake domain that mimics a genuine organization and sends thousands of generic requests. The fake domain often involves character substitution, like using ‘r’ and ‘n’ next to each other to create ‘rn’ instead of ‘m’
- Spear phishing: This is a more sophisticated type of phishing attack that targets specific individuals or organizations. The scammer will use personal information to make the message seem more legitimate and increase the chances of success
- Whaling: This type of phishing attack targets senior executives or high-profile individuals within an organization. The scammer will use personal information to make the message seem more legitimate and increase the chances of success
- Smishing and vishing: These types of phishing attacks use text messages (smishing) or phone calls (vishing) to trick people into revealing their personal information. The scammer will often use urgent calls to action or threats to increase the chances of success
- Deceptive phishing: This type of phishing scam involves fraudsters impersonating a legitimate company to trick people into revealing their personal information. The message appears to be legitimate and from a trusted source, like a bank or a courier company
- Charity fraud scams: These scams can come in many forms, including emails, social media posts, crowdfunding platforms, and cold calls. They are especially common after high-profile disasters. Always use caution and do your research when you’re looking to donate to charitable causes
Remember, scammers are always coming up with new ways to trick people, so it’s important to stay vigilant and informed. If you suspect that you are being phished, stop and think before taking any action. Do your research and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Scams and Fraud

Scams and fraud are on the rise, and it’s important to be aware of the signs so you can protect yourself. Here are some tips on how to spot scams and fraud:
- Be suspicious of anything that seems too good to be true. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers often use high-pressure tactics to convince people to act quickly, so take your time and do your research before making any decisions.
- Be wary of unsolicited emails or phone calls. Scammers often contact people out of the blue, pretending to be from a legitimate company or organization. If you receive an email or phone call from someone you don’t know, be skeptical and don’t give out any personal information.
- Check the website’s URL carefully. Scammers often create websites that look like the real thing, but there will usually be a few telltale signs that something is wrong. For example, the URL may be slightly different, or the website may not have a secure “https” connection.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you’re not sure if something is a scam, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Legitimate companies will be happy to answer your questions and provide you with more information.
Here are some of the most common types of scams:
- Phishing: This is a type of scam where the scammer sends you an email or text message that looks like it’s from a legitimate company. The email or text message will often contain a link that, when clicked, will take you to a fake website that looks like the real thing. Once you’re on the fake website, the scammer will try to trick you into giving them your personal information, such as your credit card number or Social Security number.
- Imposter scams: This is a type of scam where the scammer pretends to be someone they’re not. For example, they might pretend to be a government official, a police officer, or a representative from a legitimate company. The scammer will often use this tactic to scare you into giving them your personal information or money.
- Advance-fee scams: This is a type of scam where the scammer promises you a large sum of money, but first you have to pay a small fee. For example, the scammer might say they can help you win the lottery, but first you have to pay a processing fee. Once you pay the fee, the scammer will disappear and you’ll never see the money.
If you think you’ve been scammed, there are a few things you can do:
- Report the scam to the authorities. You can file a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or your local police department.
- Place a fraud alert on your credit report. This will make it more difficult for scammers to open new accounts in your name.
- Monitor your credit report for any unauthorized activity. You can get a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus once a year at AnnualCreditReport.com.
By being aware of the signs of scams and fraud, you can help protect yourself from becoming a victim.

I’m Bard, your creative and helpful collaborator. I have limitations and won’t always get it right, but your feedback will help me improve.
Not sure where to start? You can try: