Stay one step ahead.

Overpayment Scams‍

Overpayment Scams happen when someone sends you a check, instructs you to deposit it in your bank account, and then asks you to wire part of the money back to them. In these cases, the check is fake, and any money you think you deposited won’t show up in your bank account. 

‍Unsolicited Check Fraud‍

Unsolicited Check Fraud is often associated with random checks appearing. If you cash the check, you may be authorizing the purchase of items or signing up for a loan you didn’t ask for.

‍Automatic Withdrawals‍

Automatic Withdrawals are a scam set up to make you think you’ve applied for a free trial or won a prize. Scammers will ask for your banking information and then withdraw money from your account. 

‍Phishing & Smishing‍

Phishing & Smishing happen when you receive an email or text that looks like it’s from your bank and asks you to confirm your banking information or “reactivate your debit card” using an attached link. The link looks unsuspecting, but it’s actually a tactic to steal your personal information.

Have you ever received an email, text, or unsolicited call claiming you won a prize, lottery, or gift, and you only have to pay a "small fee" or cover “handling costs” to claim it? Scammers use the names of genuine lotteries — like the UK National Lottery and the El Gordo Spanish Lottery — to lower your guard. Once you send the “handling fee”, they will cease contact. No reputable lottery charges fees or contacts winners by email.

Phishing and Spoofing emails are one of the most common scam tactics. Scammers will send emails pretending to be a company, organization, agency, or individual you are familiar with. The email will contain a link or ask you to share personal information.

If you receive a suspicious or unsolicited text, do not click any links or share any personal details. Always verify the sender first. Legitimate companies will never ask for payments or personal information via text message.

Never accept a check or gift card when you sell something online. Scammers like to pay for products or services with phony checks or empty gift cards. The payment may look real, but when you try to cash it or use it, you realize it’s fake.

Scammers claim to offer "technical support" for your computer troubles and charge a fee to fix nonexistent problems. If you suspect problems with your technology, bring it to a reputable technician.

Scammers will pose as an attractive, interested party to gain your trust. Then, they’ll claim they were in an emergency — typically one out of the country or during a business trip. Once you send money, they’ll ghost you.

Did you ever get a Friend Request on social from someone you already thought followed you? If you hit Accept, you may have just friended a scammer. A con artist nurtures an online relationship, builds trust, and convinces the victim to send money.

Sometimes scammers are hiding in plain sight — by knocking on your door. Scammers posing as home improvement contractors come door-to-door to sell and target seniors, those who live alone, and victims of weather-related disasters are common targets.

Job and business opportunity scams often advertise themselves as paid work-from-home jobs. After you apply, your would-be employers ask for money up front to cover materials, then once you pay, they stop contacting you. 

Scammers may also try to entice you with investment opportunities. Typically, the business you’d be investing in is bogus or has a low chance of success.

Consumers with bad credit ratings are particularly vulnerable to this scam. Everything a credit-repair operation offers, you can do personally at little or no cost. Credit repair operations cannot ask for money in advance, and they cannot automatically remove legitimate negative reports from your credit history. If a company claims it can do any of those things, it is not legitimate.

Everyone wants to go and see their favorite artist in concert or get the best seats in the house — scammers are counting on it. Scammers usually sell fake tickets or get you to pay for one you’ll never receive. Only purchase tickets from reliable sources.

Telephone scammers may use AI to impersonate someone you know and get you to give up personal information. Some calls may come from real people or robocalls trying to sell you on products, investments, or “free” trials — others come with threats of jail or lawsuits for “overdue payments.” All of them have one objective in mind — to use urgency and pressure to get you to send them money.

IRS scams are extremely common, especially during tax season (November to April). Remember, the IRS will never:

• Reach out via email, text, or social media, requesting personal identification numbers, passwords, or account details related to credit cards, banks, or other financial accounts.
• Demand immediate payment through specific methods such as prepaid debit cards, gift cards, or wire transfers. Typically, the IRS will send a bill via mail first if you owe taxes.
• Threaten to involve local police or other law enforcement to arrest you for non-payment.
• Require payment without allowing you the chance to question or appeal the amount you owe.
• Call unexpectedly regarding a tax refund.

If you receive one of these phone calls, follow these steps:
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1. Record the phone number and hang up immediately.
2. Report the call to TIGTA via their IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting form or by calling 800-366-4484.
3. Send the phone number to phishing@irs.gov with "IRS Phone Scam" in the subject line.

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What to do if you get a suspicious IRS-related email:
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1. Do not reply to the email.
2. Do not open any attachments, as they may contain harmful code that could infect your device.
3. Avoid clicking on any links. If you’ve clicked on a link in a suspicious email or website and entered confidential information, visit our identity protection page.
4. Forward the email — ideally with full email headers — to phishing@irs.gov. Do not forward scanned images, as they remove essential information.
5. Delete the original email.

After major natural disasters, fraudulent emails and social media messages — often containing harmful links or attachments — are common. It's essential to exercise caution with any emails that mention hurricanes, especially those with attachments or hyperlinks. 

Be skeptical of social media appeals, texts, or door-to-door requests related to severe weather events. Scammers often take advantage of the vulnerability and charitable intentions that arise during such crises.

Keep an eye out for these red flags:
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“Official” Communication

‍Government disaster assistance agencies DO NOT call or text requesting financial information. No fees are associated with applying for disaster assistance from FEMA or the Small Business Administration. Any request for money from someone claiming to be a federal official is likely a scam.

Caller ID Spoofing

‍Be aware that scammers may use caller ID spoofing to hide their true identity. If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and contact the agency directly using the number on their official website. Never share personal information unless you've confirmed the caller's identity. 

Door-to-Door Agents

‍Government agency workers or agents should carry official identification and show it upon request. They will not ask for or accept money.

Card collection scams are on the rise. In these situations, fraudsters impersonate a trusted business, government agency, or even someone you know. They pressure you into purchasing gift cards, prepaid debit cards, or reloadable cards, then demand your card number or PIN. Once that information is shared, they gain immediate access to your funds.

How to Protect Yourself:
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Never use gift cards or prepaid cards to make payments.

No legitimate company, government entity, or law enforcement agency will request payment in this way.

Stay alert for scare tactics.

Messages such as “Your account is in danger” are designed to create panic and force hasty decisions.

Safeguard your personal and financial information

NEVER disclose:

• Full card numbers
• CVV security codes
• PIN numbers
• Digital banking usernames or passwords
• One-time passcodes

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