How to Spot and Avoid the Most Common Scams in the US

A message says your bank account is locked, a caller threatens you with arrest, or someone you met online needs money urgently. Scams can arrive by phone, email, text, social media or a website that looks legitimate. The pressure is often designed to make you act before you have time to check.

This guide explains common scams in the US, the warning signs to look for and safer ways to verify a request. You will also find practical steps to take if you shared information or sent money, plus ways to help protect an older relative without taking away their independence.

How common scams work

Many scams begin with a believable problem or opportunity. The person may claim to be from a government agency, bank, technology company, online store, employer or romantic partner. They may know some details about you, but those details do not prove the contact is genuine.

The next move is often to create urgency and control how you respond. A scammer may tell you not to hang up, not to speak with anyone else, or to keep the situation secret. They may ask you to pay in a way that is difficult to reverse, or to share a password, one-time verification code or access to your device.

Pro tip: A real-looking logo, familiar name, caller ID or message thread is not proof. Scammers can imitate all of them. Verify through a separate channel you choose yourself.

Recognize the scams you are most likely to encounter

Government and bank impostors

A caller may claim to be from the IRS, Social Security Administration, a court or law enforcement. They may threaten arrest, deportation, a lawsuit or a suspended Social Security number unless you pay at once. The IRS does not demand immediate payment by gift card, and a demand to keep the call secret or pay through a specific method is a major warning sign.

A bank impostor may say your account is under attack and ask you to move money to a so-called safe account. They might request your password or a one-time code, which can let them access your account. Do not follow instructions from an unexpected caller, even if the caller knows your name or part of your account information.

Hang up, then contact the organization using the number on your bank card, a statement or its official app. Do not call back a number the person provides or trust caller ID by itself. If you are unsure, ask the institution to confirm whether it needs to contact you.

Tech support and phishing

A fake tech support alert may appear as a pop-up, email or phone call warning that your computer is infected. The person may ask you to install remote-access software, pay for a repair or log in to your financial accounts while they watch. Close the pop-up without calling its number, and contact a known device support provider if you need help.

Phishing messages use links or attachments to steal login details, payment information or identity data. They may imitate a delivery notice, password reset, toll charge, payroll message or bank alert. Instead of clicking, open the service’s app or use a saved bookmark, then check your account there.

Never share a one-time passcode with someone who contacts you. A legitimate bank or service may use a code to verify you, but a person who asks you to read it back could be trying to log in as you.

Gift cards, payment apps and online shopping

Gift cards are for gifts, not taxes, bail, utility bills or account security. A stranger who asks you to buy cards and read the codes is likely trying to take the value immediately. Payment apps, wire transfers, cryptocurrency and other fast payment methods can also be hard to recover after you send money to a scammer.

Payment apps are most suitable for people you know and trust. A payment may be treated differently from an unauthorized transaction if you approved it yourself, and protections vary by provider and situation. If a stranger asks you to pay outside a shopping platform, pause and check the provider’s rules before proceeding.

Fake online stores may use copied photos, lookalike web addresses, unusually low prices or pressure to pay by an unusual method. Search for the seller independently, read the return and contact policies, and pay with a method that offers appropriate purchase protections. A padlock icon or polished website alone does not establish that a store is legitimate.

Romance and job scams

A romance scammer may build trust over time, then ask for money for travel, medical costs, a family emergency or an investment. Be wary if someone you have not met in person repeatedly avoids a video call or meeting and asks you to keep the relationship secret or send money. Do not send funds or financial details to someone based only on an online relationship.

Job scams can involve fake interviews, offers for work you did not apply for, or requests to pay upfront for training, equipment or access to a job. A fake employer may send a check and tell you to deposit it, then send part of the money elsewhere. The bank may later find the check is fraudulent, leaving you responsible for the money you sent.

Be especially cautious if a job involves receiving packages and reshipping them, forwarding money, or using your personal bank account for company transactions. Verify the employer through contact details you find independently, and do not deposit a check or pay a fee because a recruiter insists you must act quickly.

Red flags and safer ways to verify

One warning sign by itself does not prove a message is fraudulent, but several together should make you stop. Look for:

• Pressure to act immediately or keep the contact secret.
• Threats, unexpected prizes or promises of unusually easy money.
• Requests for passwords, verification codes, remote access or personal financial information.
• Demands for gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers or payment through an app to someone you do not know.
• A link or attachment that you were not expecting, or a sender address that does not match the organization.
• Instructions to ignore your bank, family, employer or law enforcement.

Use a separate route to check the claim. For a bank alert, open your bank’s app or call the number printed on your card. For a government notice, use the agency’s official contact information, not a number in a text or voicemail. For an online seller or job offer, search for the business independently and compare the contact details.

If the person insists that you stay on the phone while you verify, end the call first. Ask someone you trust to review the request, especially if it involves a large payment, a new investment or access to your computer. A real institution should not require you to bypass your normal safeguards.

Protect your accounts before a scam reaches you

A few habits can limit damage if someone gets your information. Use a different, strong password for each important account, and use a password manager if that helps you manage them. Turn on multifactor authentication where available, preferably using an authenticator app or security key when the service offers one.

Keep your phone, computer, browser and apps updated. Set transaction and login alerts with your financial institutions, and review account activity regularly. Avoid signing in to financial accounts from a public computer, and do not let an unsolicited caller direct you to install software or share your screen.

Be thoughtful about what you post publicly. A scammer may use details about a family member, trip or workplace to make a message sound personal. Before sending money or sharing sensitive information, confirm unusual requests with the person using a phone number or method you already know.

If you suspect identity theft, the Federal Trade Commission’s identity theft recovery guidance can help you make a plan. You can also review how to check your credit reports for free and fix errors. Consider placing a credit freeze with the major credit bureaus if someone may use your identity to open accounts; a freeze restricts access to your credit file, but does not block every type of fraud.

What to do if you sent money or shared information

Act quickly, even if you are embarrassed or uncertain whether the situation was a scam. Contact the bank, card issuer, payment app or wire service using a trusted channel. Explain what happened, ask whether the payment can be stopped or recalled, and ask the provider to secure the account. Recovery is not guaranteed, but prompt contact may give the provider more options.

Use this checklist:

1. Stop contact and stop paying. Do not send another payment to get a refund, unlock funds or avoid a penalty. Scammers often target people again with fake recovery offers.
2. Secure affected accounts. Change passwords from a device you believe is safe, starting with your email and financial accounts. Sign out of other sessions where possible, turn on multifactor authentication and contact the provider if you cannot regain access.
3. Call your financial institutions. Ask about freezing or replacing a card, blocking transfers, changing account credentials and disputing transactions. Keep notes of when you called and any case or reference information provided.
4. Protect your identity. If you shared a Social Security number or other identifying information, follow the FTC’s identity theft guidance. Contact the credit bureaus about a fraud alert or freeze, and watch statements and credit reports for accounts you do not recognize. See our guide to building an emergency fund when money is tight if a loss has disrupted your short-term finances.
5. Report the scam. Report it to the Federal Trade Commission through its ReportFraud service. For an IRS impersonation, contact the IRS through its official channels; for a Social Security impostor, use the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General. You may also report it to local police, particularly if you need a report for your bank or insurer.

Keep copies of messages, receipts, payment details and usernames. Do not delete evidence until your bank or an investigator says it is no longer needed. Reporting may help authorities identify patterns, but it does not guarantee that you will get money back.

If the scam has affected your taxes, estate or legal obligations, speak with a qualified tax professional or attorney. If the loss involves abuse or exploitation of an older adult, a local adult protective services agency may also be able to explain available support.

Help older relatives stay safer

Older adults can be targeted through phone calls, email, social media and in-person approaches. Do not assume someone will recognize a scam on their own, or take over their accounts without permission. A respectful conversation and a plan made together can help preserve independence while reducing pressure in the moment.

Agree on a few simple rules:

• Pause before paying anyone who contacts you unexpectedly.
• Never share a password or one-time code with a caller.
• Verify requests for money with a trusted family member using a known number.
• Do not buy gift cards or move money because someone threatens or rushes you.
• Call the bank directly if an account alert or transfer request feels unusual.

Choose a family verification phrase for urgent requests, but do not rely on the phrase as the only safeguard. A scammer who has access to a relative’s messages or social accounts may learn it. For large transfers or account changes, verify by calling the person on a number already saved in your contacts.

If you think a relative has been scammed, listen without blame and focus on limiting further loss. Help them contact their bank and report the incident if they want assistance. Shame can make someone hide what happened, while a calm response makes it easier to secure accounts and preserve evidence.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Trusting caller ID or a familiar-looking message. End the contact and verify independently, even when the number or logo looks right.
• Clicking first and checking later. Open the company’s app or use a trusted bookmark instead of following an unexpected link.
• Sharing a code to prove your identity. A code may let someone else access your account. Keep it private.
• Paying a second fee to recover money. A promise to retrieve funds for an upfront payment is another warning sign.
• Waiting because you feel embarrassed. Contact the financial provider as soon as possible. A quick report may help protect your account, even if the original payment cannot be reversed.
• Assuming a bank deposit means a check has cleared. Ask your bank about the check and do not forward money based on funds that may later be removed.

Good to know: If you approved a transfer after being deceived, tell your provider exactly what happened. Do not describe it as unauthorized if you initiated it yourself. The details affect how the provider can review the transaction.

The Bottom Line

Scammers rely on urgency, secrecy and payment methods that make money difficult to recover. Slow down, keep verification codes private, and check important requests through a channel you find yourself.

If you shared information or sent money, contact your bank or payment provider right away, secure affected accounts and report the incident to the FTC. You are not alone, and acting promptly can help limit further harm.