Scam messages going around right now

Texts, calls, emails and pop-ups that people are being sent, one page each: what the message says, how to tell, what to do, and what to do if you already answered it. Each page is written from the official warnings about it, which are listed at the bottom of the page.

Text messages

• Bank fraud alert text scam: A text that looks like a fraud alert from your bank asks about a big purchase. It asks you to reply YES or NO, or to call a number. If you reply or call, you reach a fake fraud department. It tries to get your password and codes, or to talk you into moving your money.
• DMV unpaid traffic ticket text scam: A text that looks like it comes from your state DMV says you have an unpaid traffic ticket. It tells you to pay through a link right away, or your license will be suspended. Another kind of text shows a picture of what looks like an official notice of a traffic hearing. It has a QR code (a square barcode your phone camera can read). Both are tricks to get your money and personal information.
• IRS tax refund text scam: A text or email that seems to come from the IRS or your state tax office says your refund was “processed” or “approved.” It asks you to tap a link to “verify your identity.” Then it asks for your Social Security and bank account numbers. The scammer can use them to steal your refund or your identity.
• Job offer text scam: An unexpected text offers you an easy job you can do from home, such as giving good ratings or "liking" things online. It asks you to reply "YES." The job is fake. Sooner or later you're told to deposit your own money, often in cryptocurrency (a kind of digital money). Or you're asked to send back part of a check that turns out to be fake.
• Reward points expiring text scam: A text says your reward points expire today. It tells you to tap a link to save them. The link leads to a fake page. It tries to get your password, credit card number or Social Security number. Or the link may put harmful software on your phone.
• Unclaimed money text scam: A text or call says a government office is holding unclaimed money or property for you, and it may name an exact amount. It wants you to tap a link, share personal information or pay a "processing" fee to release the money.
• Unpaid toll text scam: A text says you owe money for an unpaid toll. It says to pay right away through a link, or face a late fee or have your vehicle registration suspended. The link goes to a fake payment page that wants your card or bank details and other personal information, like your driver’s license number.
• USPS package delivery text scam: A text that looks like it's from USPS says there's a problem with your package. It might be a missed delivery, unpaid postage or details you need to update. Its link leads to a fake page that asks for your card number and other personal information.
• Virtual kidnapping text scam: A text says someone has kidnapped a loved one, such as your son, daughter or grandchild. The sender wants a ransom, meaning money to let them go, paid right away. The sender is pretending to be a kidnapper. They often send a photo taken from social media and changed to look real.
• Wrong number text scam: A stranger sends a friendly text, like "hi, how are you?", as if they reached the wrong number. Then they keep chatting to become your friend. Once they have your trust, they try to get you to put money into a fake investment, often cryptocurrency (a kind of digital money).

Phone calls

• Amazon suspicious purchase scam: A recorded call, text or email says someone ordered something on your Amazon account, like an iPhone. It tells you to press 1, call a number or tap a link to cancel it. It is not Amazon. The scammer wants your card number, a sign-in code (a one-time code for signing in) or gift cards. Or they want to talk you into moving your money.
• Bitcoin ATM scam: A caller says your money is at risk, or that you must fix a problem fast. They tell you to put cash into a Bitcoin ATM. That is a machine in a store or gas station that turns cash into cryptocurrency (digital money). They send you a QR code, a square barcode, to scan at the machine. Your cash then goes straight to the scammer.
• Fake CFPB call about money you’re owed: A phone call, video call or email says you won a lottery, a sweepstakes or a class-action lawsuit. A class-action lawsuit is a court case brought for a large group of people. Someone claiming to be from the CFPB “confirms” the payout. Then you are told to pay taxes or a fee before you can collect it, and the reasons to pay keep coming.
• Fake charity donation scam: A caller, letter or text asks you to give to a charity right away, and may thank you for a pledge you never made. The goal is to get you to pay a scammer. They often ask for cash, a gift card, or a wire transfer (sending money through a company like Western Union). They may also ask for a payment app (a phone app for sending money, like Venmo or Cash App) or cryptocurrency (digital money).
• Gift card payment scam: A caller says you owe money or someone is in trouble, and tells you to go buy gift cards right away. They want the numbers on the back of the cards, because those numbers let them take the money.
• Grandparent scam call: A caller who sounds like your grandchild says they are in jail after a car accident and need money right away. Then a fake lawyer may call. They want you to pay fast and keep it secret, before you can check with your family.
• IRS back taxes scam call: A caller or a recorded message says it's the IRS. It says you owe back taxes (unpaid taxes from past years) and must pay right away. Some callers threaten arrest. They want your personal information, or money paid in a way that's hard to trace. They may ask for a gift card or a wire transfer (money sent through a money transfer company).
• Jury duty arrest warrant scam call: A caller says you missed jury duty or a court date and there is now a warrant for your arrest. They want you to pay a "fine" right away, and may text or email you a fake warrant to make it look real.
• Publishers Clearing House prize scam: A caller says you've won money, a new car or another big prize from Publishers Clearing House. Often it's for a contest you never entered. Before you can get it, they want you to pay "taxes," "shipping and handling" or "processing fees." Or they ask for your bank or personal information.
• Social Security number suspended call: A caller says your Social Security number has been suspended, compromised or used in a crime. Sometimes the call starts with a fake store, bank, police officer or other agency that "transfers" you to Social Security. The caller wants your Social Security number, your bank details or your money. They may tell you to move your money to "protect" it and to keep the call a secret.
• Spectrum 40% discount call scam: A recorded call says Spectrum is taking away a discount on your monthly bill and tells you to press 1 or call back. A person then offers you a big discount, but only if you pay with store gift cards and give them the card numbers.

Emails

• "I hacked your computer" blackmail email: An email says a hacker put spyware (software that secretly watches you) on your computer. It says your webcam recorded you visiting adult websites. It threatens to send the video to your family and friends unless you pay in Bitcoin, a kind of digital money. It may show one of your real passwords as "proof." The FTC says you may get one because your email address was exposed in a data breach (when a company loses its customers' details).
• Geek Squad or Norton renewal email scam: An email (sometimes a text) says you were charged hundreds of dollars to renew a Geek Squad, Norton or McAfee plan. It tells you to call a number within 24 hours to cancel. The people who answer want to get into your computer or get your bank or card details.
• iCloud storage full email scam: An email or text that seems to come from Apple, Microsoft or Google says you are out of cloud storage. Cloud storage is online space for your photos and files. The message gives you a link to upgrade. The scammers want to steal your personal information or put malware, which is harmful software, on your device.
• Netflix account on hold email scam: An email or text that looks like it's from Netflix says your account is on hold because of a payment problem. It gives you a link (words or a web address you tap or click) to fix it. The link opens a page that asks for your card number, bank details or Netflix password, so a scammer can take them.
• PayPal invoice scam: You get a PayPal invoice (a bill) or money request for something you never ordered. It may be sent through PayPal itself, or in a fake email made to look like PayPal. The scammer wants you to pay it. Or a note tells you to call a "customer service" number, where the person who answers tries to get your personal and financial details.
• Social Security statement email scam: An email made to look like it comes from Social Security says your statement is ready to download. It has a link or an attached file. Clicking may take you to a fake website that tries to steal your personal and financial information, or put harmful software on your device.

Pop-ups on a screen

• Microsoft virus pop-up scam: A pop-up (a box that suddenly appears over a web page) fills your screen. It says your computer has a virus or has been hacked, and tells you to call "Microsoft Support" right away. The number reaches scammers who want control of your computer and your money. Some then pretend to be your bank or the government to get your savings.

Social media and messaging apps

• Fake FBI or IC3 money recovery scam: Someone says they are from the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), where people report online crime. They say they found the money you lost to a scam. They want a fee, your bank details or your Social Security number, and if you pay, you lose more money.
• Fake shopping ad on social media: An ad in your social media feed (the posts you scroll through) offers brand-name items at a very low price. The link can take you to a fake store built to take your money or personal information. If you pay, you may get a cheap fake or nothing at all.
• Romance scam: Someone you meet on a dating site, app or social media writes to you often. They say it's true love. But they always have a reason they can't meet you in person. Then they ask you for money, or offer to help you invest in cryptocurrency (a kind of digital money).

Letters and packages

• Unexpected package QR code scam: A package you didn't order arrives in your name. A note inside says it's a gift, but not who sent it. It tells you to scan a QR code (a square barcode your phone camera can read) to find out. But the code can open a fake website that steals your card numbers and passwords. It can also put harmful software on your phone. It's a twist on a brushing scam. That's when a seller sends you something you didn't order, then uses your name to post a fake review.

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