Guide

Scam Risks

Information about scam types, how to identify them, and where to report.

How to identify a fake package delivery message

Learn how fake delivery texts and emails use tracking alerts, small redelivery fees, and lookalike links to steal card details, passwords, or codes.

How to recognize a government impersonation scam

Spot fake IRS, HMRC, SSA, or DVLA messages by checking the sender, payment demand, and link. Learn how to verify contact and report the scam safely.

How to check whether a bank security alert is fake

Learn to test an account-locked or suspicious-payment alert without using its link, callback number, login form, or request for a one-time security code.

How to spot fake tax refund and unpaid fine messages

Check whether a tax refund, penalty, or unpaid fine message is fake. Learn which payment and identity requests signal phishing and where to report it.

How to tell if an online store is fake

Use price, domain, company, checkout, and policy checks to identify a fake online store before it captures your card details or takes payment for goods.

How to recognize a crypto investment scam

Spot guaranteed-return crypto schemes, fake trading dashboards, withdrawal-fee traps, and wallet theft. Learn what to preserve and where to report losses.

How to identify a fake job or recruiter

Verify recruiters, job listings, interviews, equipment checks, and onboarding forms before sharing identity documents, bank details, or making any payment.

How to tell if a prize or giveaway message is fake

Learn why fees, tax demands, counterfeit checks, copied social profiles, and requests for bank or identity details can expose a fake prize or giveaway.

How to verify a charity before donating

Check a charity’s legal name, registration, programs, domain, payment recipient, and donation terms before an urgent appeal turns generosity into fraud.

How to spot a subscription trap before you pay

Spot free trials and low-cost offers that hide recurring billing, unclear renewal prices, preselected extras, or cancellation steps designed to block you.

Utility Bill Payment Scams: A Guide to Recognizing Fake Texts and Links

Learn how to identify fake electricity, gas, water, and telecom bill payment text messages and emails. Find out how scammers trick you and what to do if you clicked a link.

How to identify an IRS impersonation scam

Learn how IRS impersonation scams use fake refunds, threats of arrest, and lookalike payment portals — and why a real IRS case never starts with a text message.

How to identify a fake HMRC tax refund message

How HMRC refund scams work: fake rebate texts, lookalike GOV.UK pages, and "verify your card to receive payment" tricks — plus how to report them to 60599.

How to identify a fake USPS package text

Fake USPS texts claim a held package, wrong address, or small redelivery fee. Learn the tells, why real USPS tracking texts never contain links you did not request, and where to report smishing.

How to identify a fake unpaid-toll text

Texts about a small unpaid toll are one of the biggest smishing waves in the US. Learn the tells, why toll agencies do not collect by text link, and where to report them.

How to identify a Social Security impersonation scam

Callers claiming your Social Security number is "suspended" are running a script. Learn the tells of SSA impersonation, why SSNs are never suspended, and how to report to the SSA Inspector General.

How to identify a fake Royal Mail text

Fake Royal Mail texts claim a small unpaid shipping fee or a held parcel. Learn how the "fee to pay" scam works, what genuine postal fee notices look like, and how to report smishing in the UK.

How to identify a fake DVLA vehicle tax message

Fake DVLA texts claim a vehicle tax refund or a failed direct debit. Learn why the DVLA never sends payment links by text, the tells of car tax phishing, and how to report it.

What an unexpected verification code means — and what to do

A verification code you did not request means someone entered your number or password somewhere. Learn what one-time code scams look like, why no company asks you to read a code back, and how to respond.