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Signs You're Being Scammed
Learn to recognize the warning signs before you lose money. These red flags can help you identify scammers and protect yourself from fraud.
TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS: If something feels wrong or too good to be true, it probably is.
When you notice these warning signs, stop all communication and verify the situation independently before taking any action.
When you notice these warning signs, stop all communication and verify the situation independently before taking any action.
Major Warning Signs
Requests for Money or Payment
The biggest red flag in any communication
- •Asking for gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency
- •Demanding payment to claim prizes or winnings
- •Requesting "fees" or "taxes" upfront
- •Asking for money to help someone in an "emergency"
- •Requesting payment for services you didn't request
Urgency and Pressure Tactics
Scammers don't want you to think clearly
- •"Act now or lose this opportunity forever!"
- •"Your account will be closed in 24 hours"
- •"Limited time offer - expires today"
- •Refusing to let you hang up or think about it
- •Creating false emergencies requiring immediate action
Requests for Personal Information
Legitimate companies don't ask for sensitive data this way
- •Asking for Social Security numbers over phone/email
- •Requesting banking login credentials
- •Asking for passwords or PINs
- •Requesting copies of driver's license or passport
- •Asking for verification codes sent to your phone
Suspicious Communication Methods
How scammers try to reach you
- •Unsolicited calls claiming to be from your bank
- •Emails with generic greetings like "Dear Customer"
- •Text messages from unknown numbers
- •Calls from numbers that don't match the claimed company
- •Poor grammar and spelling in official communications
Warning Signs by Scam Type
Romance Scams
- •Professes love very quickly
- •Avoids phone calls or video chats
- •Claims to be traveling or military overseas
- •Asks for money for emergencies
- •Photos look too professional
Tech Support Scams
- •Unsolicited calls about computer problems
- •Pop-ups claiming your computer is infected
- •Requests remote access to your computer
- •Asks for payment to fix "problems"
- •Claims to be from Microsoft, Apple, etc.
Government Impersonation
- •Claims you owe taxes immediately
- •Threatens arrest or legal action
- •Demands payment via gift cards
- •Asks for Social Security number verification
- •Calls from spoofed government numbers
Investment Scams
- •Promises guaranteed high returns
- •"Risk-free" investment opportunities
- •Pressure to invest immediately
- •Unsolicited investment advice
- •Difficulty withdrawing your money
Prize/Lottery Scams
- •You won a contest you didn't enter
- •Must pay fees to claim winnings
- •Asks for bank account information
- •Claims you're a "lucky winner"
- •Pressure to claim prize quickly
Online Shopping Scams
- •Prices that are too good to be true
- •Website has poor design or spelling errors
- •No contact information or customer service
- •Only accepts wire transfers or gift cards
- •No secure payment options
What to Do When You Spot These Signs
Immediate Actions
Take these steps right away
- 1Stop all communication immediately
- 2Don't send money or provide personal information
- 3Document everything (save emails, texts, call logs)
- 4Submit the suspicious communication to Scams Defender
Verification Steps
How to verify if it's legitimate
- •Contact the company directly using official phone numbers
- •Look up the company's official website independently
- •Ask a trusted friend or family member for advice
- •Search online for similar scam reports
- •Use Scams Defender's expert verification service
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