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Scam alerts & safety guides
What scammers are doing right now, how to spot the most common scams, and how to check anything suspicious in seconds.
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Scam alert · May 20, 2026USPS and toll text scams are surging in 2026A wave of fake USPS, UPS, and toll (E-ZPass, SunPass, FasTrak) texts is hitting phones in 2026. Here's what the messages say, why they're fake, and how to check one.Scam alert · May 8, 2026The Amazon refund scam going aroundFake Amazon texts and calls about a "refund" for an order you didn't place are tricking people into giving up card and account details. Here is how it works.Scam alert · Apr 28, 2026The Geek Squad renewal email scamFake invoices saying your Geek Squad or antivirus subscription auto-renewed for hundreds of dollars are a phishing scam. Here is how it works and what to do.Scam alert · Apr 10, 2026The Coinbase text scam going aroundFake Coinbase texts about a "withdrawal" or "suspicious login" are tricking people into giving up codes and crypto. Here's how the scam works and how to check.Scam alert · Mar 15, 2026IRS and tax season scamsTax season brings a wave of fake IRS calls, texts, and emails demanding payment or offering refunds. Here is how to recognize and check them.Scam alert · Feb 25, 2026Student loan forgiveness scamsScammers exploit student-loan news with fake "forgiveness" offers that charge a fee or steal your federal aid login. Here is how to spot them.
How-to guides
How-to guide · May 25, 2026Travel and booking scamsToo-cheap flights, fake vacation rentals, and bogus "booking support" calls can ruin a trip before it starts. Here is how travel scams work and how to check.How-to guide · May 15, 2026The "wrong number" text scamA friendly text to the "wrong number" that turns into a chat — and eventually a crypto investment pitch — is the start of a pig-butchering scam. Here is how it works.How-to guide · Apr 22, 2026AI voice cloning scams: when a familiar voice isn't realScammers can now clone a loved one's voice from a few seconds of audio to fake an emergency. Here is how the AI voice scam works and how to verify.How-to guide · Apr 20, 2026Utility bill scamsCallers posing as your electric, gas, or water company threaten to shut off service unless you pay immediately. Here is how utility scams work and how to check.How-to guide · Apr 15, 2026Bank impersonation scamsA call or text from your "bank's fraud department" asking you to verify a charge or move money is a top scam. Learn how it works and how to verify safely.How-to guide · Apr 12, 2026The grandparent scamA caller posing as a grandchild in trouble begs for urgent money and secrecy. Here is how the grandparent scam works and how to verify before you pay.How-to guide · Apr 5, 2026Recovery scams: why "we can get your money back" is a trapAfter a scam, fake "recovery agents" promise to retrieve your lost crypto or money for a fee. It is a second scam targeting victims. Here is how to spot it.How-to guide · Apr 2, 2026Account recovery and verification-code scamsA friend messages asking you to forward a verification code, or a "recovery service" offers to restore your hacked account. Both are scams. Here is how they work.How-to guide · Mar 28, 2026Rental and apartment scamsA perfect apartment at a great price, but you must send a deposit before viewing? That is a rental scam. Learn the signs before you lose your money.How-to guide · Mar 25, 2026Facebook Marketplace scamsFrom fake payment screenshots to "Zelle business upgrade" tricks, Facebook Marketplace is full of scams. Here are the common ones and how to check.How-to guide · Mar 20, 2026QR code scams: when a quick scan is a trapFake QR codes on parking meters, emails, and flyers send you to phishing sites. Learn how "quishing" works and how to check a QR code link safely.How-to guide · Mar 18, 2026PayPal invoice and money-request scamsScammers send real PayPal invoices or money requests for things you never bought, hoping you call the fake "support" number. Here is how it works.How-to guide · Mar 10, 2026Job and employment scamsWork-from-home offers that pay too well, ask for an upfront fee, or send you a check to deposit are scams. Learn the signs of a fake job offer.How-to guide · Mar 8, 2026Apple ID and iCloud phishing scamsTexts and emails saying your Apple ID is locked or was used to make a purchase are phishing for your password. Here is how to spot and check them.How-to guide · Mar 2, 2026Zelle, Cash App & Venmo scamsPayment-app scams are booming because the money moves instantly and can't be reversed. Here are the common Zelle, Cash App, and Venmo scams and how to check.How-to guide · Feb 28, 2026Fake check and overpayment scamsSomeone sends you a check for more than expected and asks you to send the difference back. The check is fake and you will owe your bank. Here is how it works.How-to guide · Feb 20, 2026Lottery and sweepstakes scamsA message says you won a prize or lottery — but you must pay a fee or tax first. That is a scam. Learn how prize scams work and how to check.How-to guide · Feb 15, 2026Puppy and pet scamsAdorable pet listings that require a deposit before you meet the animal are a common scam. Here is how puppy scams work and how to check.How-to guide · Feb 12, 2026Tech support scams: that "virus" warning is the scamA pop-up or call says your computer is infected and to call "Microsoft" or "Apple". It is a scam to get remote access and your money. Here is how it works.How-to guide · Feb 5, 2026Charity and disaster donation scamsAfter disasters, fake charities appear to pocket your donation. Here is how to spot a charity scam and make sure your money reaches real victims.How-to guide · Feb 1, 2026Gift card scams: why nobody legit asks for gift cardsIf anyone asks you to pay a bill, fine, or fee with gift cards, it is a scam — every time. Here is how the gift card scam works and how to check.How-to guide · Jan 28, 2026Sextortion scamsEmails claiming a hacker has compromising videos of you and demanding crypto are almost always an empty bluff. Here is how the sextortion scam works.How-to guide · Jan 15, 2026How to spot a scam text messageScam texts (smishing) impersonate banks, couriers, the DMV, and toll agencies to make you tap a link. Learn the red flags and check any suspicious SMS free.How-to guide · Jan 15, 2026How to tell if a website is legitCheck whether a website or online store is real before you buy or log in. Spot look-alike domains, fake shops, and the red flags of a scam site.How-to guide · Jan 15, 2026How to spot a phone call scamBank, government, and tech-support call scams explained. Learn the warning signs and how to verify a caller safely before you act.How-to guide · Jan 15, 2026Romance scam warning signsHow to recognize a romance scam before you send money — fast-moving feelings, excuses to never meet, and sudden emergency money requests.How-to guide · Jan 15, 2026How to avoid marketplace scamsBuying or selling on Facebook Marketplace, StockX, Depop, or Poshmark? Avoid deposit scams, overpayment tricks, and off-platform payment traps.How-to guide · Jan 15, 2026How to spot a crypto or investment scamGuaranteed returns, a friendly "mentor", and an unknown platform are classic investment-scam signs. Learn how to check before you deposit.How-to guide · Jan 15, 2026How to spot a phishing emailFake "verify your account" and "payment failed" emails explained. Check the sender and links before you click or enter your password.How-to guide · Jan 15, 2026Is that delivery text a scam?"Pay a small fee to reschedule your parcel" texts from USPS, UPS, or FedEx are a common scam. Learn how to spot and check them.
Comparisons
Comparison · May 28, 2026Best tools to check if a website is legitBefore you buy from an unfamiliar store, check it. Here are the best ways to tell if a website is legit in 2026 and how they compare.Comparison · May 22, 2026Scam Doctor vs AuraAura is an all-in-one identity-protection suite; Scam Doctor is a focused, in-the-moment scam checker. Here is how they compare and which you need.Comparison · May 18, 2026Best reverse phone lookup for scam and spam callsReverse phone lookup tools help you find out who called and whether it is a scam. Here is how the options compare and how to check a number safely.Comparison · May 12, 2026The best scam checker apps and tools in 2026A practical guide to the best scam checkers in 2026 — for texts, links, websites, phone calls, and emails — and how to pick the right one.Comparison · May 5, 2026Scam Doctor vs TruecallerTruecaller identifies callers; Scam Doctor checks whether a call, text, link, or store is a scam. Here is how they compare and when to use each.Comparison · May 1, 2026Scam Doctor vs ScamAdviserScam Doctor and ScamAdviser both check if something is a scam — but they work differently. Here is how they compare on inputs, verdicts, and who each suits.