Yes, you are seeing more scams these days.

We’re all getting targeted. And we can all learn how to protect ourselves.

Know your scams

AI is making it more challenging than ever to identify scams. Here are some common techniques scammers use:

Learn more about scams

Don’t panic! Learning a few key tactics can help you identify scams.

Pause

Scammers like to create a false sense of urgency and take advantage of moments when we’re distracted or rushed. If you get an unexpected message, pause and take a moment to research what you’re being asked to do before taking action.

A scammer stopped in the sand of an hour glass

Verify

Scammers often initiate outreach by impersonating people you know or organizations that you're familiar with (like your local police department). If the outreach seems suspicious, don't engage until you can verify the authenticity of the person or organization.

A scammer spotted in a magnifying glass

Report

Block and report any scam activity that you're seeing within the product or site where you encountered the scam. If you've been scammed, find out where to report it at fightcybercrime.org

A frustrated scammer stopped underneath a flag with three exclamation points

Tips to keep yourself safe

I got a text message telling me I had unpaid tolls and they were going to send law enforcement after me to repossess my vehicle if I didn't click the link and send money asap.
Jeff R.
A scammer calling a person pointing on the screen at an answer button

Someone you don’t know contacts you and tries to establish a connection

Unfamiliar numbers sending vague, personal-sounding texts like 'Hi' or 'Hey' may not actually be accidental wrong number texts. Scammers often use these messages to verify active phone numbers before attempting to build a relationship with you to gain your trust.

I got a text from a number with a Toronto area code saying, “how do you feel today?” I knew it was probably fake, but it was weird to get a message about feelings from a stranger.
Margot B.

Don’t respond to unexpected messages from strangers.

Scams by the numbers

The world of scams is always evolving. Here's a snapshot of their 2024 reach in the US according to the Federal Trade Commission.

Report a scam

Did you get scammed?