Five Steps Before You Pay or Reply
- Slow down. Scammers invent urgency: an account about to close, a warrant, a prize that expires today. A real bank or agency will still be there tomorrow.
- Contact them yourself. Use the number on your card, statement or the official website, never one from the message. Caller ID can be faked.
- Look at the payment method. Gift cards, wires, cryptocurrency and cash are almost impossible to reverse. The FTC says anyone who demands a gift card is a scammer.
- Check the address. Read the full sender address and link domain. Look-alikes that change one letter or add a word to a real brand name are common.
- Tell someone. Scammers ask for secrecy. A friend, relative or your bank can break the spell.
The Main Scam Types in the US
Government imposters
Fake IRS, Social Security or police callers threaten arrest unless you pay now. Real agencies never demand gift cards or crypto.
Bank imposters
A text about a suspicious charge, then a call telling you to move savings to a "safe" account. Your bank will never ask that.
Tech support scams
A pop-up or call says your computer is infected and asks for remote access or payment.
Investment and crypto scams
Guaranteed returns, or an app showing gains you cannot withdraw. These caused the largest reported losses in 2025, $7.9 billion (FTC, 2025 data).
Romance scams
An online partner who never meets on video, then needs money for an emergency or an investment.
Online shopping scams
Fake stores and sellers with prices far below normal who want payment by app or wire and never ship.
Job and task scams
Remote work that requires you to pay for training or equipment, or to deposit a check and send part back.
Prize and lottery scams
You won, but must pay fees or taxes first. A real prize never costs money to collect.
Red Flags That Mean Stop
- Payment by gift card, wire, crypto or cash courier. Legitimate businesses and agencies do not insist on these.
- A request for a one-time code, password or remote access. Anyone who asks for your code is trying to get into your account.
- Threats of arrest or a suspended Social Security number. Agencies do not work this way.
- A check to deposit with part sent back. It bounces days later and you owe the full amount.
Scam Red Flag Checker
Tick every sign that applies. Nothing you select leaves this page.
Method: stop signs are tactics the FTC and FBI describe as scammer-only; any one gives a high-risk verdict. Otherwise two or more warning signs give high risk and one gives caution. Report destinations follow FTC, FBI IC3, SEC, CFTC, SSA OIG and TIGTA guidance. Educational tool, not legal advice.
Where to Report a Scam in the US
Reports help agencies spot patterns and warn others.
If You Already Paid
Act within hours. Call the bank, card issuer, payment app or gift card company you used, report the fraud and ask them to reverse the payment.
If you shared a password, change it and turn on two-factor authentication. If you gave out your Social Security number, place a free credit freeze with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
Watch for fake "recovery" services that charge a fee to get your money back. They are scams too.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if a phone call is a scam?
Hang up if the caller pressures you to act now, threatens arrest, or asks for payment by gift card, wire transfer or cryptocurrency. Then call the agency or company back on a number you look up yourself. Caller ID can be faked.
Will the IRS or Social Security call me and demand money?
No. The IRS usually contacts people first by mail, and neither the IRS nor the Social Security Administration will threaten arrest or demand immediate payment by gift card, wire or cryptocurrency.
Can I get my money back after a scam?
Sometimes. Contact the bank, card issuer, payment app or gift card company you used as fast as possible and ask them to reverse the payment. Credit card charges are the easiest to dispute; cash, wires and cryptocurrency are the hardest.