Scam vs Legitimate
Side-by-side comparisons that help you tell the real thing from a scam.
Romance Scam vs Real Relationship
How to tell a genuine online relationship from a romance scam, without paranoia or shame.
Legitimate Recruiter vs Fake Job Scam
Distinguish genuine recruiters and employers from fake job and task scams.
Real Bank Fraud Department vs Bank Impersonation Scam
How a genuine bank fraud team behaves versus impersonators who want your money.
Real Crypto Exchange vs Fake Trading Platform
Tell a legitimate, regulated exchange from a scammer-controlled fake platform.
Real Delivery Message vs Fake Delivery Text
Spot the difference between a genuine courier update and a smishing scam.
Real Government Contact vs Government Impersonation Scam
How genuine agencies contact you versus impersonators using fear and urgency.
Real Hotel Message vs Hotel Phishing Scam
Tell a genuine hotel/booking message from phishing that wants your card details.
Real Tech Support vs Fake Tech Support Scam
Distinguish genuine support from scammers who want remote access to your device.
Real Charity vs Fake Charity Scam
How to tell a legitimate registered charity from a fraudulent fundraiser exploiting your generosity.
Legitimate Crypto Airdrop vs Wallet-Drainer
How to tell a genuine token airdrop from a wallet-draining phishing scheme.
Real Landlord vs Rental Scam
How to tell a genuine rental listing from a fraudulent one designed to steal your deposit.
Genuine Prize vs Lottery Scam
Tell a real prize notification from a lottery or prize scam that wants fees upfront.
Real Utility Company vs Utility Shutoff Scam
How genuine energy, water, or telecoms providers contact you versus shutoff scammers who demand instant payment.
Legitimate Car Seller vs Vehicle Escrow Scam
How genuine private car sales work versus vehicle escrow and delivery scams that steal your deposit.
Real Online Pharmacy vs Fake Online Pharmacy
How to tell a legitimate regulated online pharmacy from a counterfeit medicines site.
Genuine Investment Adviser vs Investment Scam
How legitimate regulated advisers operate versus fraudulent investment schemes that promise outsized returns.
Real Customer Support vs Fake Support Number
How to reach genuine customer support versus fake support lines designed to steal money or data.
Legitimate Antivirus Warning vs Fake Antivirus Popup
How to tell a real security alert from a fake popup trying to get your money or remote access.
Real Bank Text vs Smishing (SMS Phishing)
How to tell a genuine text from your bank from an SMS phishing (smishing) scam.
Genuine QR Code vs Malicious QR Code
How to tell a legitimate QR code from a tampered or fake one designed to redirect you to a phishing site.
Real Account Recovery vs SIM-Swap Takeover
How genuine account-recovery processes work versus SIM-swap and account-takeover fraud.
Legitimate Marketplace Buyer vs Fake Buyer Scam
How genuine buyers on online marketplaces behave versus scammers who target sellers.
Real Remote IT Support vs Remote-Access Scam
How legitimate IT support using remote access tools works versus scammers who use them to steal money and data.
Real Job Offer vs Task Scam
How to tell a genuine employment offer from a task-based scam that traps you in a fake earnings cycle.
Real Delivery Notice vs Toll-Text Scam
How to distinguish a genuine courier update or toll notice from a smishing text designed to steal your card details.
Real Prize Win vs Advance-Fee Scam
How a genuine prize notification differs from an advance-fee scam that demands payment before you can collect.
Real Software Update vs Fake Update Scam
How to tell a genuine operating system or application update from a fake update prompt designed to install malware.
Real 2FA Prompt vs MFA Fatigue Attack
How to tell a legitimate two-factor authentication request from an MFA fatigue attack designed to trick you into approving fraudulent access.
Real Public Wi-Fi vs Evil Twin Network
How to tell a legitimate public Wi-Fi hotspot from a rogue evil twin network set up to intercept your data.
Real Browser Extension vs Malicious Extension
How to tell a trustworthy browser extension from a malicious one designed to steal data or hijack your browser.
Real NFT Mint vs NFT Mint Scam
How to tell a genuine NFT mint from a scam designed to drain your wallet or sell worthless tokens.
Real Recruiter Email vs Phishing Email
How to tell a genuine recruiter outreach from a phishing email using job-offer language to steal credentials or data.
Real PayPal Email vs Fake PayPal Email
How to tell a genuine PayPal notification from a phishing email impersonating the brand.
Real Amazon Message vs Fake Amazon Message
How to tell a genuine Amazon notification from a scam impersonating the brand to steal credentials or payment data.
Real Toll Notice vs Toll Smishing
How to tell a legitimate toll authority notice from a smishing text demanding instant payment for a fake toll violation.
Real HMRC / IRS Letter vs Tax Scam Call
How to tell a genuine tax-authority letter from a threatening phone scam claiming you owe taxes.
Real Invoice vs Business Invoice Fraud (BEC)
How to spot a fraudulent invoice or bank-detail change request versus a legitimate supplier invoice.
Real Refund vs Refund / Overpayment Scam
How to recognise a legitimate refund from a scam that tricks you into sending money back after a fake overpayment.
Real Escrow Service vs Fake Escrow Site
How to verify a legitimate escrow service from a fraudulent one created to steal funds during a high-value transaction.
Real Government Grant vs Grant Scam
How to tell a genuine government or foundation grant from a fake grant designed to steal personal or financial information.
Real Customer Support DM vs Brand Impersonation DM
How to tell a genuine brand reply on social media from an impersonation account designed to steal your account or payment details.
Real Parcel Notification vs Fake Parcel SMS
How to tell a genuine delivery update from a fraudulent text message designed to harvest your card details or install malware.
Real Tech Support Alert vs Scareware Popup
How to distinguish a genuine operating-system security alert from scareware designed to frighten you into calling a fake support line.
Real Job Posting vs Advance-Fee Job Scam
How to tell a genuine job advertisement from a scam that charges fees or harvests personal data under the guise of employment.
Real Crypto Exchange vs Pig Butchering Platform
How to distinguish a licensed cryptocurrency exchange from a fake trading platform used in pig-butchering investment fraud.
Real Disaster Appeal vs Fake Charity Drive
How to verify a genuine emergency charity appeal from a fraudulent fundraiser that exploits public sympathy after a disaster.
Real Rental Listing vs Advance-Fee Rental Scam
How to spot a genuine rental property from a fraudulent listing designed to collect a deposit or advance rent for a property the scammer does not own.
Real Lottery Win vs Lottery Advance-Fee Scam
How to tell a genuine lottery prize notification from a scam letter or email claiming you have won a draw you never entered.
Real PayPal Security Alert vs PayPal Phishing Email
How to tell a genuine PayPal notification from a phishing email engineered to steal your account credentials or card details.
Real Amazon Order Email vs Amazon Phishing
How to distinguish a genuine Amazon order confirmation or security notice from a phishing email designed to steal your account or payment details.
Real Bank Alert vs Account Takeover Impersonation Message
How to tell a genuine bank security alert from a fake message designed to trick you into handing over your credentials or authorising a payment.
Real LinkedIn Recruiter vs Fake Recruiter Scam
How to verify a legitimate recruiter approach on LinkedIn from a fake profile designed to steal personal data or recruit money mules.
Real Utility Bill vs Utility Shut-Off Scam Call
How to tell a genuine utility company contact from a scam call threatening to cut off your electricity, gas, or water unless you pay immediately.
Real Antivirus Software vs Rogue Security Software
How to tell a legitimate antivirus installation from rogue security software that pretends to protect your device while charging for fake virus removal.
Real Subscription Renewal vs Fake Subscription Notice
How to tell a genuine subscription renewal confirmation from a fake invoice designed to prompt a phone call that leads to a remote-access scam.
Real Crypto Wallet vs Wallet-Drainer dApp
How to tell a legitimate decentralised application from a wallet-draining smart contract designed to steal your entire crypto balance in one transaction.
Real Account Recovery vs Recovery Scam
How to tell a genuine platform account-recovery process from a fake recovery service that takes your money or credentials and delivers nothing.
Real Bank App Notification vs Fake Banking App
How to tell a genuine push notification from your bank's official app from a fraudulent app or notification designed to harvest your banking credentials.
Real Two-Factor Prompt vs OTP Bot and Push Bombing
How to recognise a genuine authentication request from a fraudulent OTP-harvesting bot or push-notification bombing attack attempting to break into your account.
Real Seller Refund vs Overpayment and Fake-Cheque Scam
How to tell a genuine buyer refund from an overpayment scam in which a fake cheque or inflated payment is used to trick you into wiring money back.
Real Freight Company vs Fake Shipping-Fee Scam
How to tell a genuine freight or courier request from a fraudulent message demanding unexpected customs fees or release payments before your package can be delivered.
Real Debt Collector vs Debt-Collection Scam
How to tell a legitimate debt collector operating within consumer-protection law from a fraudulent caller using threats and urgency to extort money for debts that may not exist.
Real Tax Refund vs Tax-Refund Phishing
How to tell a genuine tax authority refund notification from a phishing message designed to steal your bank or identity details under the guise of claiming a refund.
Real Giveaway vs Fake Giveaway and Brand Impersonation
How to tell a genuine brand or creator giveaway from a fake contest that impersonates celebrities or companies to harvest personal data or charge entry fees.
Real Marketplace Escrow vs Fake-Escrow Page
How to tell a genuine payment-protection escrow service from a fraudulent cloned page used to steal funds from buyers or sellers in high-value transactions.
Real Charity Street Fundraiser vs Fake Charity Collector
How to tell a genuine authorised street fundraiser from a fraudster collecting cash under the name of a charity that never receives the money.
Real Solar / Energy Grant vs Green-Energy Scam
How to tell a genuine government or utility-funded energy-efficiency grant from a fraudulent cold-caller using green energy subsidies as a pretext to steal personal data or charge illegal upfront fees.
Real Pension Adviser vs Pension-Liberation Scam
How to tell a regulated pension adviser from a pension liberation or pension review scam that transfers your retirement savings into fraudulent or high-risk schemes, often with devastating tax consequences.
Real Licensed Pharmacy vs Counterfeit Medicine Website
How to tell a legitimately registered online pharmacy from a rogue website selling counterfeit, substandard, or unregulated medicines that may be harmful.
Real Flight Booking Site vs Fake Travel Agency
How to tell a genuine airline or authorised travel agent from a fraudulent booking site that takes payment for tickets that do not exist.
Real Pet Breeder vs Puppy Scam
How to tell a genuine dog or cat breeder from a fraudulent seller who takes a deposit for a pet that does not exist.
Real Event-Ticket Reseller vs Fake Ticket Scam
How to tell a legitimate secondary-ticket marketplace from a fraudulent site or individual seller offering counterfeit or nonexistent event tickets.
Real Moving Company vs Moving Scam
How to tell a legitimate removal or moving firm from a fraudulent company that holds your belongings hostage or disappears after a deposit.
Real Timeshare Resale vs Timeshare Exit Scam
How to tell a legitimate timeshare resale agent from a fraudulent company that charges upfront fees to sell or exit a timeshare and delivers nothing.
Real Payday Lender vs Advance-Fee Loan Scam
How to tell a regulated short-term lender from a fraudulent company that collects insurance or processing fees upfront and never actually provides a loan.
Real Student Loan Servicer vs Loan-Forgiveness Scam
How to tell your genuine federal student loan servicer from a fraudulent company charging fees to access forgiveness programmes that are free to apply to directly.
Real Survey Platform vs Paid-Survey Scam
How to tell a legitimate market-research or survey panel from a fraudulent site that collects your personal data or charges a fee with no genuine reward.
Real Cleaning Platform vs Task-App Scam
How to tell a legitimate on-demand cleaning or odd-job platform from a fraudulent operation that collects a fee or personal data without ever dispatching a worker.
Real Influencer Brand Deal vs Fake Brand-Deal Scam
How to tell a genuine sponsored partnership offer from a fraudulent approach that harvests your personal or banking details under the guise of a paid collaboration.
Real Domain Renewal Notice vs Domain-Renewal Scam
How to tell a genuine renewal notice from your actual domain registrar from a fraudulent letter or email designed to switch your registration or extract payment.
Real Social Media Verification vs Verification-Badge Scam
How to tell a genuine social media verification process from a scam that charges a fee or harvests account credentials under the pretence of awarding a verified badge.
Real Crypto Airdrop Announcement vs Fake Airdrop Phishing
How to tell a genuine token distribution event from a fraudulent airdrop promotion designed to drain your wallet or steal your seed phrase.
Real Online Course vs Fake Course or Certificate Scam
How to tell a legitimate online learning platform or course from a fraudulent operation that issues worthless certificates or takes payment for content that does not exist.
Real Public Wi-Fi Sign vs Evil-Twin Hotspot Attack
How to tell a legitimate venue Wi-Fi network from a rogue hotspot set up by an attacker to intercept your internet traffic and capture sensitive data.
Real Software Download vs Drive-By Malware Installation
How to tell a legitimate software installer from a malicious download that bundles malware, spyware, or ransomware alongside or instead of the expected application.
Real Bank Fraud Alert vs Smishing Spoof
How to tell a genuine bank fraud-detection text from a smishing message designed to steal your credentials or authorise a fraudulent payment.
Real Courier Missed-Delivery Card vs Fake Delivery Text
How to distinguish a genuine missed-delivery card or notification from a fraudulent message designed to harvest your card details or install malware.
Real Insurance Adjuster vs Fake Claim Scam
How to verify that contact from an insurance adjuster is genuine and not part of a fraudulent scheme to extract money or personal information.
Real Recruiter Video Interview vs Deepfake Interview Scam
How to identify a genuine video job interview versus a synthetic or scripted deepfake interview used to steal personal information or collect upfront fees.
Real Freelance Client vs Overpayment Gig Scam
How to distinguish a legitimate freelance client from a scammer who overpays by cheque or bank transfer then requests a refund of the difference.
Real Crypto Exchange Support vs Fake-Support DM
How to tell a genuine exchange support interaction from a fraudulent direct message posing as customer service in order to steal your funds or credentials.
Real NFT Marketplace vs Fake-Mint Site
How to distinguish a legitimate NFT platform from a fraudulent mint site designed to drain your connected crypto wallet.
Real Charity Crowdfunding Page vs Fake Crowdfunding Campaign
How to verify a crowdfunding or charity donation page is genuine before giving, and the signs that distinguish authentic campaigns from fraudulent ones.
Real Utility Meter Reader vs Doorstep Utility Scam
How to verify that someone claiming to read your meter or represent a utility company at your door is genuine, and how doorstep utility scams operate.
Real Solar Panel Installer vs Solar Grant Scam
How to verify a solar panel installation company is legitimate and not a fraudulent operator exploiting government grant schemes to charge upfront deposits.
Real Travel Agent vs Fake Travel Deal Page
How to tell a legitimate travel agency from a fraudulent website or social media page offering deals that do not exist in order to steal payment details.
Real Airline Customer Service vs Fake Refund Agent
How to identify genuine airline customer service from fraudulent refund agents that charge fees for services they cannot deliver or steal payment details.
Real Apple or Google Support vs Fake Tech-Support Popup
How to tell a genuine Apple or Google security notification from a fraudulent tech-support popup designed to frighten you into calling a scammer.
Real Two-Factor Authenticator App vs OTP-Phishing Page
How to tell a genuine two-factor authentication prompt from a real-time phishing page designed to relay your one-time code to an attacker.
Real Loan Provider vs Advance-Fee Loan Scam
How to distinguish a legitimate lender from a fraudulent loan company that demands an upfront fee before releasing funds that never arrive.
Real Car Private Sale vs Fake Vehicle Escrow Scam
How to tell a genuine private car sale from a fraudulent listing that uses a fake escrow service to steal your payment before delivering any vehicle.
Real Letting Agent vs Rental Deposit Scam
How to verify a letting agent is legitimate and not a fraudster advertising properties they do not control in order to steal tenancy deposits.
Real Online Marketplace Shipping vs Label or Overpayment Scam
How to tell a genuine buyer's shipping request from a scammer using fake payment screenshots or overpaid cheques to steal money from online sellers.
Real Subscription Renewal Email vs Subscription-Renewal Phishing
How to tell a genuine SaaS or subscription billing notification from a phishing email designed to steal your payment details under a fake renewal alert.
Real NHS / Healthcare Text vs Health Scam Text
How to tell a genuine NHS or healthcare appointment message from a health-themed phishing text.
Real Council / Local Government Letter vs Council Tax Scam
Distinguish a genuine local authority letter about council tax from a scam impersonating it.
Real Energy Supplier vs Energy Broker Scam
Tell a genuine energy supplier or switching service apart from an energy broker or doorstep scam.
Real Pension Provider vs Pension Liberation Scam
Identify a genuine pension provider versus a pension liberation or pension review scam.
Real Will / Probate Solicitor vs Inheritance Scam
Tell a genuine probate or estate solicitor apart from an inheritance advance-fee scam.
Real Car History Check vs Fake Vehicle History Site
Distinguish a legitimate vehicle history service from a fake site that charges for worthless reports.
Real Breakdown Cover vs Fake Roadside Cover
Tell a genuine breakdown cover policy apart from a fake or worthless roadside assistance scheme.
Real App Store App vs Fake App Download
Distinguish a legitimate app from an official store from a fake app designed to steal data or money.
Real Cloud Storage Alert vs Storage-Full Phishing
Tell a genuine cloud storage warning from a phishing email exploiting storage anxiety.
Real Password Reset Email vs Password Reset Phishing
Distinguish a genuine password reset email from a phishing email designed to steal your credentials.
Real Delivery Locker Code vs Locker Phishing
Tell a genuine parcel locker access code from a phishing text exploiting the parcel-locker format.
Real Gig-Work Platform vs Upfront-Fee Gig Scam
Distinguish a legitimate gig-economy platform from a scam that charges upfront fees to access work.
Real Tutoring Service vs Fake Course / Certificate Scam
Tell a genuine tutoring or education provider apart from a fake course or worthless certificate scam.
Real Pet Adoption vs Puppy Deposit Scam
Tell a genuine pet adoption or breeder listing apart from a puppy deposit scam.
Real Charity Raffle vs Fake Prize Draw
Distinguish a genuine charity raffle or prize draw from a fake draw designed to collect personal data or fees.
Real Credit Bureau Alert vs Identity-Theft Phishing
How to tell a genuine fraud alert from your credit bureau apart from a phishing message designed to steal your identity.
Real Courier vs Courier-Collection Fraud
How to spot the difference between a genuine courier collecting a parcel and a scammer posing as one to collect your cash or cards.
Real Immigration Lawyer vs Notario Fraud
How to distinguish a licensed immigration attorney from an unqualified notario or ghost consultant who can devastate your immigration case.
Real Government Visa Site vs Fake Visa Service
How to tell an official government visa portal from a lookalike site that charges inflated fees or steals your personal data.
Real Subscription vs Negative-Option Billing Scam
How to tell a straightforward subscription from a negative-option scheme that charges you automatically unless you take action to cancel.
Real Free Trial vs Free-Trial Trap
How to distinguish a genuine limited-time trial from a free-trial trap that charges you unexpectedly the moment the trial ends.
Real Side Hustle vs MLM / Pyramid Scheme
How to tell a genuine part-time income opportunity from a multi-level marketing or pyramid scheme that profits mainly from recruiting.
Real Passive Income vs Passive-Income Hustle Scam
How to distinguish a legitimate passive income strategy from a scam that sells the dream of effortless earnings while extracting your money.
Real Verification Badge vs Badge Phishing
How to tell a genuine platform verification notification from a phishing attempt that uses the badge as bait to steal your account credentials.
Real Account Recovery vs Recovery-Help Scam
How to tell a platform's genuine account-recovery process from a scammer posing as a recovery service to steal access to your account.
Real M-Pesa Request vs Mobile-Money Scam
How to distinguish a genuine M-Pesa or mobile-money payment prompt from a fraudulent request designed to drain your wallet.
Real UPI Collect Request vs UPI Fraud
How to tell a genuine UPI collect request from a fraudulent one that drains your account when you press 'approve'.
Real Crypto Wallet Connect vs Wallet-Drainer dApp
How to tell a legitimate wallet connection to a verified dApp from a wallet-drainer that empties your crypto holdings the moment you approve.
Real Seed-Phrase Backup vs Seed-Phrase Phishing
How to tell the genuine process of backing up your seed phrase from a phishing attempt that tricks you into revealing it.
Real Data-Broker Opt-Out vs Fake Removal Service
How to tell a genuine data-broker opt-out process from a fake removal service that collects your personal data under the guise of deleting it.
Real Mail Hold vs Mail-Redirection Fraud
How to tell a genuine postal mail-hold or redirection service from a fraudulent redirection that diverts your correspondence to a criminal.
Real Debt Collector vs Debt-Collection Impersonation Scam
How to tell a legitimate debt collector from a scammer posing as one to pressure you into paying debts you may not owe.
Real Reverse Mortgage vs Reverse-Mortgage Scam
How to tell a legitimate reverse mortgage product from a fraudulent scheme that strips equity from older homeowners.
Real Landlord Reference Check vs Rental Reference Fraud
How to tell a genuine rental reference process from a fraudulent one used by fake landlords or dishonest tenants to manipulate rental decisions.
Real Energy Price Comparison vs Energy Broker Scam
How to tell a legitimate energy price-comparison service from a broker scam that locks you into a high-cost contract or steals your personal data.
Real Healthcare Provider Text vs Health Scam SMS
How to tell a genuine appointment reminder or health alert from your provider from a health scam SMS designed to steal personal or insurance details.
Real Scholarship vs Scholarship Scam
How to tell a genuine educational scholarship from a fake award that charges fees, collects personal data, or promises guaranteed money.
Real Home-Improvement Contractor vs Contractor Scam
How to tell a genuine, licensed contractor from a scammer who takes deposits, does shoddy work, or disappears without completing the job.
Real Crowdfunding Campaign vs Fake Crowdfunding Scam
How to tell a genuine fundraising campaign from a fraudulent one designed to pocket donations for a non-existent cause or person.
Real Brand Prize vs Fake Brand Giveaway Scam
How to tell a genuine brand competition or prize from a fake giveaway that impersonates a well-known company to harvest data or fees.
Real IRS / HMRC Contact vs Government-Impersonation Call
How to tell a genuine IRS or HMRC communication from a scam call threatening arrest, fines, or asset seizure to extract immediate payment.
Real Pet Rehoming vs Fake Pet Adoption Scam
How to tell a genuine pet rehoming or adoption from a scam that takes deposits for animals that do not exist or never arrive.
Real Online Auction vs Fake Auction Site Scam
How to tell a legitimate online auction platform from a fake site that collects payment for goods it never ships.
Real Investment Seminar vs Wealth-Seminar Scam
How to tell a legitimate financial education event from a high-pressure wealth seminar designed to sell overpriced courses or dubious investments.