Stay safe · US
Spot the scam before you pay, meet or send.
Short guides to the tricks run on people in the US, from Zelle and Marketplace to texts about tolls, and exactly what to do if one already worked.
Why the usual checks fail
Habits that feel safe online, and what to do instead.
Why the usual checks failA blue tick is not identity
5 min read
Why the usual checks failA screenshot is not proof
4 min read
Why the usual checks failAsking someone to verify is not rude
4 min read
Why the usual checks failCaller ID is not a person
5 min read
Why the usual checks failCheck the channel, not the vibe
5 min read
Why the usual checks failFollowers are not trust
4 min read
Why the usual checks failReviews can be bought
4 min read
Why the usual checks failSeeing is no longer believing
4 min read
Why the usual checks failSmart people fall for scams too
5 min read
Why the usual checks failStop sending your ID to prove you're real
4 min read
Why the usual checks failA small payment that worked proves nothing about the next one
5 min read
Why the usual checks failUrgency is the scam, not a detail of it
4 min read
Why the usual checks failLeaving the app means leaving its protections behind
5 min read
Why the usual checks failYour gut is not a lie detector
5 min read
Why the usual checks failA video call is not verification
5 min read
Why the usual checks failDisappearing photos don't disappear
4 min read
Before you pay someone
Payment apps, screenshots and getting your money back.
Before you pay someoneA payment screenshot is not proof: how to check you were paid
4 min read
Before you pay someoneZelle scams: how they work and if you can get your money back
5 min read
Before you pay someoneTold to put cash in a Bitcoin ATM? It is a scam
4 min read
Before you pay someoneFake check and overpayment scams: why available funds can still bounce
4 min read
Before you pay someoneVenmo and Cash App scams: how they work and what to do
4 min read
Buying and selling online
Marketplaces, rentals and sellers you have not met.
Buying and selling onlineFacebook Marketplace scams: how to spot them and stay safe
5 min read
Buying and selling onlineHow to tell if a rental listing is fake
4 min read
Buying and selling onlinePuppy scams: how to tell if an online pet seller is fake
4 min read
Buying and selling onlineTicket resale scams: how to buy concert and game tickets safely
4 min read
Dating and romance
Fake profiles, catfishing and money requests.
Dating and romanceDating app verification scam: a match sent a link to verify
4 min read
Dating and romanceHow to tell if a dating profile is fake, and how to check
4 min read
Dating and romanceRomance scam signs: how to tell if someone online is scamming you
4 min read
Dating and romanceSugar daddy scam: why they send money first, then ask for some back
4 min read
Photos and privacy
What happens to what you send, and what to share.
Calls, codes and messages
Calls from “officials”, scam numbers and codes.
Calls, codes and messagesSomeone asked for my verification code: the Google Voice scam
4 min read
Calls, codes and messagesAI voice cloning scams: when a loved one calls asking for money
4 min read
Calls, codes and messagesIRS, Social Security or Medicare call: how to tell if it's fake
4 min read
Calls, codes and messagesMissed jury duty call or text: is it a scam?
4 min read
Calls, codes and messagesUSPS “package could not be delivered” text: is it a scam?
4 min read
Calls, codes and messagesTech support scams: fake virus pop-ups and support calls
4 min read
Calls, codes and messagesUnpaid toll text: how to tell if it's a scam
4 min read
Jobs, loans and investments
Task scams, fake recruiters, loan apps and get-rich groups.
Jobs, loans and investmentsFake recruiter scams: how to spot a job offer that is not real
4 min read
Jobs, loans and investmentsPig butchering scams: the wrong-number text that ends in crypto
4 min read
Jobs, loans and investmentsRecovery scams: when someone offers to get your lost money back
4 min read
Jobs, loans and investmentsStudent loan forgiveness scams: fees, fake calls and your FSA ID
4 min read
For readers in India
All India guides- How to spot a fake profile on a matrimony site
- How to check if a number is a scammer in India
- How to check a UPI ID is genuine before you pay
- Is it safe to share your Aadhaar card photo or number?
- OLX scams in India and how to sell or buy safely
- You never need your UPI PIN to receive money
- FedEx courier scam call: “a parcel with drugs in your name”
- The dating app cafe bill scam: how it works and how to stay safe
- What is a digital arrest scam? Police do not arrest on video calls
- Electricity bill SMS: “power will be disconnected tonight” is a scam
- Fake customer care numbers on Google: how to find the real one
- Fake job offer asking for a registration or training fee
- Flat rent scams in India: token money, fake owners and “army officers”
- How to get money back after cyber fraud in India
- Instagram shopping scams: how to check a page is legit before paying
- Loan app harassment: what to do about threats and morphed photos
- Stock market WhatsApp group scams and fake trading apps
- IPL and concert ticket scams: how to avoid fake resale tickets
- KYC update SMS: is your bank account really about to be blocked?
- How to check if someone took a loan in your name using your PAN
- AnyDesk and screen-sharing app scams: why a caller wants your screen
- Part-time job on WhatsApp or Telegram: how the task scam works
- Wedding invitation APK on WhatsApp: what it is and what to do
- Money sent to you by mistake on UPI? How to spot the refund scam