Scam Encyclopedia
Comprehensive guides covering 200+ scam types across 15 categories. Learn to recognize, avoid, and report every type of fraud.
199
Scam Types
15
Categories
12
Languages
24/7
Updated Daily
Calendar Invite Phishing: How Scammers Exploit Your Schedule
Fraudsters send malicious calendar invitations containing phishing links or fake meeting requests to steal credentials and sensitive data.
419 Nigerian Prince Scam: How Advance Fee Fraud Works
Fraudsters promise millions in return for upfront fees, preying on greed and hope through elaborate inheritance or business opportunity stories.
Tax Refund Scams: How Fraudsters Steal Your Money
Scammers pose as tax authorities or preparers to trick victims into paying fake taxes or divulging personal information, resulting in average losses of $3,000.
Dusting Attacks: Unmasking Your Crypto Wallet
Scammers send tiny amounts of cryptocurrency to your wallet to trace your identity and steal funds or personal data.
Dating App Verification Scam: How to Spot Fake Profiles
Scammers create fake dating profiles and trick users into sending money for fake 'verification' or 'unlocking' accounts. Average loss is $500.
Friend-in-Need Scam: Spot and Avoid Emergency Fraud
Scammers impersonate trusted friends or family in urgent situations to manipulate you into sending money quickly before you can verify their identity.
Sugar Daddy Scams: Recognizing Fake Romance Schemes
Scammers pose as wealthy sugar daddies to build romantic trust, then request money for emergencies, travel, or gifts before disappearing.
Bait-and-Switch Scams: Online Shopping Fraud
Scammers advertise desirable products at bargain prices, then deliver inferior or completely different items after payment.
Counterfeit Goods Scams: Spot Fake Products Online
Scammers sell fake designer goods, electronics, and branded products at steep discounts through fraudulent online stores and social media.
Dropshipping Fraud: Identify Fake Online Stores
Scammers create fake dropshipping stores offering counterfeit goods at steep discounts, then vanish with your payment.
Fake Review Scams: How Scammers Manipulate Ratings
Scammers use fake positive reviews to sell counterfeit products or manipulate consumer trust, costing victims hundreds in low-quality purchases.
Non-Delivery Scams: When You Pay But Never Receive
Scammers take payment for products that never arrive, disappearing after purchase while leaving you with nothing but an empty wallet.
Online Auction Fraud: How Scammers Exploit Bidders
Scammers use fake auction listings and non-delivery schemes to steal thousands from bidders monthly. Learn how to spot and avoid auction fraud.
Return Fraud: How Scammers Exploit Retail Policies
Return fraud costs retailers billions annually. Learn how scammers exploit lenient return policies to steal merchandise and refunds.
Subscription Trap Scams: Avoid Hidden Recurring Charges
Scammers lure you with free trials or discounted offers, then hide automatic recurring charges in confusing terms until you're trapped in costly subscriptions.
Data Entry Scams: Spot Fake Remote Job Offers
Scammers pose as employers offering easy remote data entry work, then steal money or personal information before disappearing.
Freelancer Non-Payment Scams: Protect Your Work
Scammers hire freelancers, accept completed work, then disappear without paying. Losses average $2,000 per incident.
Mystery Shopper Scam: Fake Job Offers Exposed
Scammers pose as mystery shopping companies offering easy cash, then steal money or personal information from applicants.
Census Scams: Protect Your Data and Money
Census scams exploit trust in government by impersonating officials to steal personal information or money, often leading to identity theft and financial loss.
Court Summons Scam: Avoid Fake Arrest Threats
Scammers impersonate court officials or law enforcement, threatening immediate arrest or fines if you don't pay a fake court summons or missed jury duty fee.
DMV & Motor Vehicle Scams: Protect Your License & Info
Scammers impersonate the DMV or motor vehicle departments to steal your personal information, money, or coerce you into fraudulent actions related to your vehicle or license.
Fake Government Grant Scams: Don't Get Fooled
Scammers impersonate government officials, promising large grants in exchange for upfront fees, leaving victims with no money and no grant.
Jury Duty Scam: Avoid Fake Arrest Warrants
Scammers impersonate court officials, threatening immediate arrest for missed jury duty unless you pay a bogus fine, often leading to significant financial loss.
Utility Shutoff Threat Scam: Protect Your Power
Scammers impersonate utility companies, threatening immediate service disconnection to pressure victims into urgent payments, often via unconventional methods.