Scam library
Every scam is a bad deal in disguise.
Real messages, pinned up as evidence and grouped by who they target. Not sure about one you got? Check a message →
Income seekers
Fake recruiters, task and “boost” jobs, pyramid pitches, crypto-recruitment, fake freelance clients, scams that dangle a job or a return.
- Fake recruiter scams: how to tell a real job offer from a trap
- Is this Meta recruiter email a scam?
- How do I tell if a recruiter email is a lookalike-domain scam?
- Is this “product boosting” work-from-home job a scam?
- Is this MLM “be your own boss” recruitment message a scam?
- Is this crypto “job” that pays in USDT a scam?
- Is this Salesforce recruiter message with a form link a scam?
- Is this OpenAI recruiter message on LinkedIn real?
- Is that Randstad recruiter text legit?
- Is that PUMA recruiter message on LinkedIn legit?
- Is that Publicis recruiter email legit?
- Is this General Motors (GM) work-from-home job offer real?
- I got a video interview invite from a company I didn’t apply to, is it a scam?
- A freelance client wants to overpay and have me refund the difference, is it a scam?
- Is the stranger teaching me to invest in crypto a scam?
- Is this Amazon recruiter message about a remote job real?
- Did an Apple recruiter really message me about a remote support job?
- Is this Meta recruiter offering me a remote role legit?
- Is that Microsoft recruiter email legit?
- Is a Netflix recruiter really hiring me as a remote content reviewer?
- Is that NVIDIA recruiter email legit?
- Is this Tesla recruiter message about a remote support job real?
- Is this Coinbase recruiter hiring me for a remote compliance role?
- Is this Deloitte Talent email about a remote analyst role real?
- Is that Accenture recruiter email legit?
- Is this Adecco staffing recruiter offering me a remote data-entry job real?
- Is this ManpowerGroup recruiter offering a remote support placement real?
- Is that Kelly Services recruiter email legit?
- Is that Robert Half recruiter email legit?
- Is this Aerotek recruiter email about a remote logistics role real?
- Is that Insight Global recruiter message on LinkedIn legit?
- Is that Michael Page recruiter message on LinkedIn legit?
- Got a text about a remote Amazon job at $28/hr, is it real?
- A recruiter DM'd me on WhatsApp about a remote Tesla job, is it real?
- Got a text about a remote Netflix job at $30/hr, is it real?
Consumers
Marketplace fake sellers, account-suspension bait, parcel and delivery fees, travel and rental deposits, scams that ride a purchase.
- Is this “pay a small delivery fee to release your package” text a scam?
- Is this marketplace seller who wants to move off-platform a scam?
- Is the “your seller account has been suspended, verify now” message a scam?
- Is an Airbnb host asking me to pay off-platform a scam?
- Is a rental that wants a deposit before a viewing a scam?
- Amazon texted about a suspicious order I didn't place, is it real?
- Amazon says my account is locked and I must verify, is this a phishing email?
- Amazon emailed that I'm owed a refund and must confirm details, is it a scam?
- Apple emailed a receipt for a subscription I didn't buy, is it a scam?
- PayPal says I sent a payment I didn't authorize, is this email real?
- PayPal says my account is limited and I must verify, is it phishing?
- Netflix says my payment failed and I must update my card, is it a scam?
- Netflix texted that my account is suspended, is this real?
- Microsoft Defender emailed a renewal charge, is this a refund scam?
- Geek Squad emailed that my protection plan renewed, is this a refund scam?
- USPS says my package is held for a customs fee, is this a scam?
- UPS says I owe a redelivery fee, is this text a scam?
- FedEx says my package is held pending a fee, is this real?
- Is this USPS text saying my package is held until I pay a fee a scam?
- Is this UPS text asking for a redelivery fee a scam?
- Is this FedEx text about a customs clearance fee a scam?
- Is this DHL 'shipment pending, confirm details' text a scam?
- Is this 'your package couldn't be delivered, confirm address' text a scam?
- Is this 'you won a $1000 gift card' text a scam?
- Is this Walmart survey reward text a scam?
- Is this 'send BTC and we double it' crypto giveaway a scam?
Banks, tax & authorities
Messages posing as your bank, the tax authority, a toll or postal service, or a business platform to make you pay or verify fast.
- Is this "unusual activity on your account, verify now" bank text a scam?
- Is the IRS “unpaid tax, settle today” text a scam?
- Is the Microsoft “your computer is infected” alert a scam?
- Is the “verify your Google Business listing or it will be removed” message a scam?
- Is the E-ZPass "unpaid toll, pay now" text a scam?
- Is this SunPass "outstanding toll" text a scam?
- Is the FasTrak "unpaid toll" text real or a scam?
- Is the I-PASS unpaid-toll text a scam?
- Is the TxTag "unpaid toll" text a scam?
- Is the PA Turnpike toll text asking me to pay a scam?
- Is the "you have an unpaid toll, final notice" text a scam?
- Is a "toll violation final notice" text with a registration hold a scam?
- Is the toll "late fee, pay now or face court" text a scam?
- Is the "u have a unpaid toll pay here" text a scam?
- Is the "your toll bill is overdue" text a scam?
- Is the "final reminder: outstanding toll" text a scam?
- Is the "vehicle registration suspended over unpaid toll" text a scam?
- Is the "you have a toll due, pay here" reminder text a scam?
- Is the "unpaid toll detected, pay to avoid a fine" text a scam?
- Is the "your toll payment failed, update payment method" text a scam?
- Is the "last chance: unpaid toll, license suspended" text a scam?
- Is the "toll enforcement notice, pay to avoid a court summons" text a scam?
- Is the "DMV notice: unpaid toll linked to your license" text a scam?
- Is the "you have 1 unpaid toll invoice, immediate payment required" text a scam?
- I got a text saying my electricity will be cut off unless I pay now, is it a scam?
- Someone called claiming my gas will be disconnected today unless I pay immediately, scam?
- I got a call saying I missed jury duty and there's a warrant unless I pay a fine, is it real?
- I was told my Social Security number is suspended due to suspicious activity, is that real?
- I got a text about student loan forgiveness that needs a processing fee, is it a scam?
- I got a text with a court summons link telling me to respond immediately, is it legit?
- A caller says there's a warrant for my arrest but I can pay to clear it, is this a scam?
- I got a text about an unpaid parking ticket with a payment link, is it a scam?
- I got an IRS email saying I have a refund waiting if I verify my details, is it real?
- I got a text saying my driver's license is suspended unless I verify and pay, is it a scam?
- Someone called saying I need to verify my Medicare card or lose coverage, is it a scam?
- I got a Zelle fraud alert asking if I sent money, is this a scam?
- Venmo texted about an unauthorized payment, is this legit?
- Chase texted "did you make this $X charge", is this a scam?
- Bank of America texted about a charge I didn't make, is it real?
- Wells Fargo texted me to verify a charge, is this a scam?
- Is this 'did you just send $500? verify to stop it' bank text a scam?
- Is this 'your card is locked, reply YES/NO' text a scam?
- Is this text asking me to verify my debit card a scam?
- Is this PayPal 'your account is limited, verify to restore' text a scam?
- Is this Netflix 'payment failed, update billing' text a scam?
- Is this Chase 'your card was used for $320, reply NO to verify' text a scam?
Account takeover
Code-sharing, hacked-friend messages, and fake support or collab offers aimed at creators and page owners, scams that steal the account itself.
- A LinkedIn contact sent me a weird link, is their account hacked?
- Someone asked me to send them a verification code, is it a scam?
- Is this “your page violated a policy” or brand-collab message a scam?
- A friend is messaging asking for money, is their account hacked?
- Is the “I have your webcam footage, pay Bitcoin” email real?
- I got a text that my iCloud is locked, is this an Apple scam?
- Apple wants me to verify my Apple ID by text, is this legitimate?
- Coinbase texted that my account is compromised, is this a scam?
- Coinbase texted me to approve a withdrawal I didn't request, is it fake?
- Is this 'unusual sign-in, was this you? verify identity' text a scam?
- Is this 'you have a new voicemail, click here' text a scam?
- Is this 'your mailbox is full, verify to keep receiving mail' text a scam?
- Is this 'your Apple ID is being used elsewhere' text a scam?
- Is this Amazon 'a $749 order was placed, verify to cancel' text a scam?
Newcomers & family
Scams that target new immigrants, international students, and elderly people through a trusted-sounding family or official voice.
- New in the country, is this “government benefit, confirm your details” message a scam?
- Is a tuition “payment failed, re-submit now” message a scam?
- Is the “Grandma it’s me, I need money” message a scam?
- Is this friendly 'wrong number' text that turns to crypto a scam?
- Is this 'it's your boss, buy gift cards' text a scam?
- Is this 'grandma it's me, I'm in jail, send bail' text a scam?
Recovery & refund
Scams that prey on people who were already scammed, promising to recover lost money for an upfront fee.
- Someone offered to recover money I lost to a scam, is that a scam too?
- A firm says it can trace and recover my stolen crypto, is it legit?
- A hacker on WhatsApp says he can hack the scammer and get my money back, real?
- A law firm emailed saying it can recover my lost funds for a retainer, is it a scam?
- A service offered to file chargebacks and recover my money for a fee, legit?
- A government "recovery fund" says I qualify for compensation, is it real?
- After a romance scam, someone offered to recover the money I sent, is that another scam?
- I got a message saying they caught the scammer and I just pay a fee to get my money, real?