⚠️ Scam Intelligence Database

Scammers impersonate your boss or CEO via email or text, urgently requesting gift card purchases. Once you send the codes, the money is stolen instantly.

Criminals impersonate executives to trick finance employees into wiring money. FBI IC3: 21,442 complaints in 2024, $2.77 billion in losses.

Scammers trick victims into sending money via Zelle through fake bank fraud alerts or overpayment schemes. Zelle transfers are instant and irreversible.

Scammers exploit Venmo through fake payments from stolen accounts, phishing, and "accidental" transfer refund requests.

Scammers send fake PayPal invoices for purchases you never made. The phone number connects to scammers who steal info or install malware.

Scammers send a check for more than agreed, then request you wire back the "extra." The check bounces days later—you owe the bank everything.

Scammers use fake payments, overpayment schemes, or shipping fraud on Marketplace. Cash and local meetup is safest.

Criminals tamper with gift cards in stores, copying numbers. When you activate the card, they drain the balance instantly.

Scammers send payment requests via Apple Pay or Google Pay for items you never purchased, hoping you approve without checking.

Scam texts impersonate USPS claiming package problems. Links lead to phishing sites. USPS does not send unsolicited texts.

Scam texts/emails impersonate FedEx about delivery issues. FedEx does not request payment via unsolicited text or email.

Scam messages impersonate UPS about package problems. UPS does not request payment via text message.

Fake Amazon notifications about orders or account problems to steal credentials. Amazon never asks for passwords via email.

Fake texts claim unpaid tolls with fines threatened. Real toll agencies send by mail, not text. FBI IC3: 59,271 complaints in 2024.

Scammers pose as IRS threatening arrest for unpaid taxes. IRS never calls threatening arrest and always starts with mailed letters.

Scammers claim your SSN has been "suspended" due to criminal activity. This is impossible—SSNs cannot be suspended.

Scammers pose as police, FBI, or DEA claiming warrant for your arrest. Real police never call demanding payment.

Scammers claim you've been selected for a free government grant. Real grants require applications—you can't win grants you didn't apply for.

Scammers impersonate USCIS or immigration lawyers, demanding payment for visa processing or threatening deportation.

Scammers claim you missed jury duty and have a warrant. Real courts send written summons and don't call demanding payment.

Scammers pose as grandchild in crisis—arrested, hospitalized, stranded. Modern versions use AI voice cloning. FBI IC3: 357 complaints, $2.7M losses in 2024.

Scammers claim to be your electric/gas/water company threatening immediate shutoff. Real utilities send multiple written notices.

Scammers pose as your bank's fraud department. Your bank will never ask you to move money to protect it.

Scammers pose as Medicare to steal Medicare numbers or enroll victims in fraudulent plans. Medicare never calls unsolicited.

Scammers pose as lawyers claiming to represent someone suing you, or offering to help with fake legal matters for upfront fees.

Scammers pose as Microsoft claiming your computer is infected. Microsoft never makes unsolicited calls. FBI IC3: 36,002 complaints, $1.46B losses in 2024.

Fake emails show Norton charged $300-$500 for renewal. Calling the number leads to remote access fraud and banking theft.

Scam emails show fake Best Buy Geek Squad charges of $300-$500. Calling leads to remote access fraud.

Scam calls/emails claim Prime renewing at inflated price ($300-$500). Amazon Prime is actually $139/year.

After fake tech support "service," scammers claim they accidentally refunded too much and demand you return the "excess" via gift cards.

Scammers use AI to clone voices from social media videos. One short clip creates convincing fake emergency calls. Fastest-growing scam threat.

Scammers use AI-generated video deepfakes to impersonate colleagues or executives in video calls. Real-time deepfakes now possible on consumer hardware.

Scammers use cloned voices to fake kidnappings of family members, demanding ransom while keeping victims on the phone.

Scammers use AI to generate fake photos and videos for dating profiles. The person you're talking to doesn't exist.

Scammers deploy AI chatbots on fake customer service sites to collect login credentials and payment information.

Scammers build fake romantic relationships, then request money. FBI IC3: 17,910 complaints, $672M losses in 2024.

Romance + fake crypto investment. FBI IC3: 47,919 complaints, $6.57B losses in 2024 (44% increase). Named because scammers "fatten" victims before "slaughter."

Scammers send "accidental" texts to start conversations leading to romance scams or crypto fraud.

Fake crypto platforms promise guaranteed returns. FBI IC3: $9.3B in crypto losses across 149,686 complaints in 2024 (66% increase).

Scammers demand Bitcoin payment because it's untraceable. No legitimate entity ever accepts cryptocurrency for payments or fines.

Scammers impersonate Elon Musk, celebrities, or crypto exchanges promising to double your Bitcoin. Send crypto to "verify" and receive nothing.

Scammers pose as IRS, SSA, or law enforcement demanding payment via Bitcoin ATM. FBI IC3: $247M losses from crypto ATM fraud in 2024, up 99% from 2023.

Fake tech support claims hackers accessed your bank. To "protect" your money, they direct you to withdraw cash and deposit into Bitcoin ATM.

Romance scammers direct victims to convert cash to Bitcoin at ATMs to send "emergency funds" or "investment deposits."

Scammers pose as government agents claiming your money is at risk. They convince victims to convert savings to gold bars, then send a "courier" to collect them for "safekeeping." FBI IC3: $219M losses, average $417K per victim.

After convincing victims to liquidate assets into gold, silver, or cash, scammers send couriers to physically collect the valuables.

Scammers send fake breach notifications claiming your data was exposed. Links lead to phishing sites or paid "protection" services. Real breaches notify by mail.

After real or fake breach news, scammers push expensive identity monitoring services. Free credit freezes provide better protection.

Criminals combine real SSNs (often children's or elderly) with fake names/DOBs to create new identities. Victims discover fraud years later. Estimated $20B+ annual losses.

Criminals file fraudulent tax returns using stolen SSNs to claim refunds. Victims discover theft when their legitimate return is rejected.

Criminals gain access to existing bank, credit, or utility accounts through phishing, SIM swaps, or credential stuffing. They drain funds or make purchases.

Criminals compromise vendor email accounts to send fake invoices with changed payment details. Payments go to scammer accounts.

Criminals impersonate employees to change direct deposit information. Paychecks are diverted to scammer accounts.

Scammers intercept legitimate invoices and alter payment details. Businesses pay for real services but money goes to criminals.

Fake "task" jobs pay for rating products. After small initial payments, victims must "deposit" to continue. FBI IC3: 20,044 complaints, $264M losses (276% increase).

Scam "employers" send checks for equipment—you deposit, send back "extra," check bounces. Real employers never send checks before you start.

Fake LinkedIn profiles impersonate recruiters from real companies. They collect personal info or money through fake hiring.

Scammers recruit victims to transfer stolen money through personal accounts. This is federal money laundering—even if unintentional.

Scammers hire victims to receive and reship packages overseas. Packages contain goods from stolen credit cards—you're an accomplice.

Fake brands offer paid "influencer" deals that require upfront payment for products or follower packages. No real partnership exists.

Scammers hack Instagram accounts and promote fake investments or request money from followers.

Fake TikTok shops sell counterfeit goods, never deliver, or steal payment info through fraudulent checkout pages.

Fake online stores take payment for products that never arrive. FBI IC3: 69,271 complaints, $199M losses in 2024.

Fake pet listings collect deposits then demand more fees for shipping, insurance, crates. Pet never existed. BBB: 400% increase since 2017.

Scammers sell counterfeit or non-existent tickets. Victims discover fraud when turned away at venue.

Free trials silently convert to expensive subscriptions. Cancellation made deliberately difficult.

Dating matches ask you to verify via link. Site steals payment info or signs you up for adult subscriptions.

Social media ads and fake sites sell knockoff designer goods at steep discounts. Products are cheap counterfeits or never arrive.

Scammers create fake apartment listings with stolen photos, collect deposits for properties they don't own. FBI IC3: 9,359 complaints, $174M losses in 2024.

Fake vacation rentals collect deposits for properties scammers don't own. Victims arrive to find no rental.

Robocalls claim warranty is expiring, pressure for expensive worthless coverage. These scammers have no connection to your vehicle.

Fraudulent movers provide low estimates, then hold belongings hostage for inflated prices. Some disappear with possessions.

Scammers promise to sell or cancel your timeshare for upfront fees. They collect payment and do nothing. Most timeshares cannot be resold.

Scammers create fake charities or impersonate real ones. Real charities don't pressure for immediate cash or gift card donations.

Scammers promise fast loan forgiveness for upfront fees. Legitimate forgiveness programs (PSLF, IDR) are free to apply for.

Scammers pose as debt collectors for debts you don't owe. They threaten arrest or garnishment for immediate payment.

Scammers create fake voter registration sites to collect personal information including SSN and driver's license numbers.

Scammers impersonate campaigns or PACs to collect donations that never reach candidates. Rampant during election seasons.

Scammers claim webcam recording of you, demand Bitcoin. They have no video—it's mass spam. Old password from data breaches is their "proof." FBI IC3: 86,415 complaints, $143M losses in 2024.

Scammers place fake QR codes over legitimate ones at parking meters, restaurants, public spaces. Scanning leads to phishing sites.

Scammers claim you've won a lottery and demand fees to collect. You can't win contests you didn't enter. FBI IC3: 3,690 complaints, $102M losses in 2024.

After being scammed, victims targeted by "recovery services" promising to get money back for upfront fees. Often run by original scammers.

Scammers send fake medical bill notifications impersonating clinics, hospitals, or pediatricians. Links lead to phishing sites that steal payment info.

Criminals steal children's SSNs to create synthetic identities. Parents discover fraud years later when child applies for student loans or first credit card.

Scammers sell "Credit Privacy Numbers" claiming they're legal alternatives to SSN. CPNs are actually stolen SSNs—using one is federal identity fraud.