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Scamopedia

Your reference guide to the scams you'll actually encounter — and how to spot them.

🏦 Banking & Finance

Fake messages from banks, credit unions, or financial services asking you to verify your account.

Fake Bank Login Alerts
Your account has been temporarily locked
Unauthorized ACH/Wire Transfer Alerts
A transfer of $2,500 was initiated from your account
Credit Card Verification Scams
Your credit card will be suspended unless verified

🏛️ Government Impostors

Fraudulent emails claiming to be from the IRS, SSA, USPS, or other government agencies.

IRS / Tax Scams
You owe taxes and must pay immediately
Social Security Number Suspended
Your SSN will be suspended — verify now!
USPS Debt/Package Impersonation
You owe unpaid shipping costs for a package you never received

💻 Tech Support Scams

Messages warning of viruses, hacked accounts, or broken software that require immediate action.

Fake Virus Warnings
Your device is infected — call now!
Spoofed Tech Support Calls
Your number was flagged for a security alert
Fake Browser & Software Updates
Your browser is out of date — update now to stay secure

❤️ Romance & Friendship

People pretending to be interested in you, eventually asking for money or personal information.

Online Romance Scams
I found love online — they need help with money
"Pig Butchering" Crypto Romance
I have an investment opportunity — you'll love the returns
Military Romance Scams
I'm a soldier overseas — I need money to see you

📦 Package Delivery

Fake notifications about missed deliveries, customs fees, or package hold-ups — plus QR code scams you'll encounter in public.

Fake Package Delivery Notifications
We attempted to deliver your package
Fake Amazon Return Requests
Your refund is pending — confirm your return address
Fake Customs/Import Fees
Your international package is held — pay clearance fees
QR Code Phishing ("Quishing")
That sticker on the parking meter could be stealing your data

🎰 Lottery & Prize Winners

You've won a contest you never entered! Fake giveaways and social media shopping scams.

Fake Lottery & Prize Notifications
You won $1 million! Just pay the fee!
Fake Social Media Giveaways
You won the iPhone 16 Pro — verify your address to claim!
Inheritance Scams
A distant relative has left you an inheritance — pay legal fees to claim
Social Media Shopping Scams
That designer item at 80% off on Instagram isn't real

💼 Job & Employment

Too-good-to-be-true job offers that ask for personal information, fees, or bank details.

Fake Job Offers
Work from home — earn $5,000/week!
Fake Paycheck Cashing Scams
We've sent you a check for equipment — deposit it and send the surplus
Check Writing / Data Entry Scams
Easy work-from-home — $50/hr, no experience needed

🚨 Family Emergencies

Someone claiming to be a relative in urgent need of money — often an impersonated grandparent. Includes AI voice cloning scams.

Grandparent Scam
Grandma is in trouble — send money!
Fake Hospital/Doctor Calls
Your child was in an accident — we need money for treatment
Voicemail Impersonation
This is Sarah — I'm at the hospital, please call me back
AI Voice Cloning & Deepfake Video
The voice on the phone sounds just like your grandchild — but it's AI

📈 Investment & Crypto

Guaranteed returns, secret trading strategies, or cryptocurrency opportunities that sound too good to be true (because they are).

Cryptocurrency Investment Scams
Double your money in 30 days!
Fake Trading Platforms/Apps
Download our app — see profits grow, then try to withdraw
Pump-and-Dump Groups
Join our exclusive group — we know which coins will 10x

🔗 Subscription & Renewal

Fake renewal notices for Netflix, Amazon Prime, software licenses, or insurance that need "immediate" action.

Fake Subscription Renewals
Your membership is expiring — renew now!
Fake Insurance Renewals
Your auto/home insurance is expiring — renew today
Software License "Expiry" Warnings
Your Adobe / Microsoft 365 / Norton license expires in 24 hours

🏥 Healthcare & Medicare

Fraudulent calls and messages about your Medicare, prescriptions, or health coverage — especially during enrollment season.

Fake Medicare Representatives
Your Medicare card has been cancelled — verify now!
"Free" Medical Equipment Scams
Claim your free wellness watch / CPAP machine / flu shot!
Fake Pharmacy & Prescription Scams
We need your insurance info for prior authorization

🛡️ Recovery Scams

After you've been scammed, these criminals promise to get your money back — for a fee. The recovery scam is a second fraud targeting prior victims.

Fund Recovery Services
We can recover your lost money — for a fee
Fake FBI / IC3 Recovery Agents
This is Agent Williams from the FBI — we can trace your stolen funds
Fake Law Firm Recovery Scams
Our law firm specializes in cryptocurrency recovery — send a retainer