Scam Questions & Answers
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Is a text from my water or electric company saying I owe money real?
It may be a scam. Utility companies send formal overdue notices by post — text messages with payment links are frequently phishing attacks.
Is a pet-sitting or dog-walking job found on Craigslist or a classifieds site safe?
Proceed carefully. Pet care jobs on classifieds sites are frequently overpayment scams or personal-data harvesting operations.
Is a call saying my National Insurance or Social Security number has been used in a crime real?
No. This is a government impersonation scam. Your number has not been suspended, and no agency will call you threatening arrest.
Is a sponsored post advertising a new crypto token launch a scam?
Extremely often yes. New token launches advertised through social media ads are frequently pump-and-dump schemes or outright rug pulls.
Is a game modification or cheat file download safe?
Often not. Unofficial mod files and cheat tools are a primary delivery method for malware, keyloggers, and account stealers.
Is a request for my Medicare or NHS number over the phone a scam?
Yes if unsolicited. Government health agencies do not cold-call you to request your health number or personal details.
Can a scammer set up a direct debit from my account with just my bank details?
In some cases yes. With account number and sort code, a fraudster can attempt to set up unauthorised direct debits in the UK.
Is a phone call saying my broadband contract is ending and I must renew a scam?
It may be. Scammers impersonate telecoms providers to get banking details or remote access under the guise of processing a renewal.
Is a free iPhone or prize offered in an online quiz real?
No. Online quiz prize giveaways are data harvesting tools or subscription traps — the prize is not real.
Is a charity asking for cryptocurrency donations legitimate?
Treat it with extreme caution. Very few registered charities accept crypto, and most such requests are outright fraud.
Is a WhatsApp message from an unknown number saying 'hello dear' a scam?
Almost always yes. This is the opening move of a romance scam, task scam, or investment fraud.
Can a scammer steal money through M-Pesa or mobile money?
Yes. Mobile money fraud is widespread across Africa and Asia, with scammers exploiting reversals, SIM swaps, and fake agent networks.
Is a GCash or Maya payment request from a stranger a scam?
Very likely yes. Unsolicited payment requests on Philippine mobile wallets are almost always scams.
Is a UPI payment request from a buyer safe to accept?
Requests you receive are payment demands, not incoming money. Accepting a UPI request causes money to leave your account.
Can a scammer reverse a Pix payment and steal my money in Brazil?
Yes. Scammers exploit Pix's speed by using fake screenshots and social engineering to get victims to send money before they realise the fraud.
Is a fake immigration lawyer or notario I found online a scam?
Very often yes. Unlicensed practitioners pose as immigration attorneys and take large fees for applications that are never filed or are filed incorrectly.
Is a call from an immigration officer threatening deportation unless I pay real?
No. This is a government impersonation scam. Real immigration agencies do not threaten deportation by phone and demand immediate payment.
Is a Green Card lottery notification I received by email or phone real?
Almost certainly not. The only official DV Lottery notification is through the government's own website — never by email, phone, or postal mail.
Is a subscription that charged me without warning after a free trial legal?
In many cases it is, but consumer protection laws in most countries require clear disclosure of post-trial charges. You may have rights to a refund.
What is negative option billing and can I get my money back?
Negative option billing assumes your consent to pay unless you actively cancel. In many countries it is heavily regulated and you may be entitled to a refund.
Is the MLM or network marketing opportunity I was invited to a pyramid scheme?
Many MLMs operate as de facto pyramid schemes where the majority of participants lose money. Income primarily from recruiting, not retail sales, is the key warning sign.
Is someone asking for my crypto wallet seed phrase for support a scam?
Yes, always. No legitimate wallet provider, exchange, or support agent will ever ask for your seed phrase.
Is a hardware crypto wallet sold by a third party on Amazon or eBay safe?
No. Hardware wallets must be bought directly from the manufacturer. Third-party resellers may sell pre-seeded or tampered devices that drain your funds.
Is my Instagram account at risk if someone DMs me a suspicious link?
Yes. Phishing links sent via Instagram DM are the most common way accounts are hijacked and sold or used to scam your followers.
Can a Facebook quiz or game hack my account?
Quizzes and games that request Facebook login permissions can harvest your personal data. Some are also fronts for phishing credential theft.
Is a puppy breeder who only accepts bank transfer and won't let me visit a scam?
Almost certainly yes. Refusing visits and insisting on bank transfer are the two clearest red flags of a pet scam.
Is a free pet adoption listing that only needs a transport fee a scam?
Yes. 'Free pet, just pay transport' is the standard opener for a pet shipping scam where no animal exists.
I received a parcel I never ordered — is it a scam?
It may be brushing fraud, where sellers send cheap items to real addresses to post fake reviews, or a preparatory step in a package redirection scam.
Is a mail redirection taken out in my name without my knowledge identity fraud?
Yes. Fraudsters redirect your mail to intercept bank cards, account statements, and sensitive documents to take over your financial accounts.
Can someone take out a loan in my name using my stolen personal details?
Yes. With enough personal information, fraudsters can apply for loans, credit cards, and finance agreements in your name.
What do I do if my identity has been stolen and used for fraud?
Act immediately: alert your bank, place a fraud alert with credit agencies, report to police, and notify any organisations where accounts were opened fraudulently.
Is a TikTok Shop seller with thousands of reviews trustworthy?
Not necessarily. Review counts on newer marketplaces can be inflated and do not guarantee product quality or genuine fulfilment.
Is a sponsored Instagram shop ad selling real branded products legitimate?
Often not. Sponsored Instagram shop ads frequently lead to counterfeit goods sites that never deliver or deliver poor-quality fakes.
Is a Korean or Japanese skincare website I found through a social media ad trustworthy?
Treat with caution. Fake Asian beauty storefronts are a common scam format, selling counterfeit or non-existent products.
Are investment scams specifically targeting Nigerian, Indian, or Filipino communities abroad common?
Yes. Scammers specifically target diaspora communities using shared language, cultural trust, and community network access.
If a friend on WhatsApp asks me to forward them a code I just received, is it a scam?
Yes. This is account takeover fraud — the code belongs to your friend's WhatsApp, and sending it hands their account to a scammer.
Is a Telegram channel claiming to sell leaked bank or personal data legitimate?
These channels are either criminal operations selling genuine stolen data, or fraud themselves — selling fake data to people trying to use it illegally.
Is buying a counterfeit product that looks exactly like the real thing still fraud?
Yes. Buying counterfeit goods is illegal in most countries and funds criminal networks. The buyer may also bear legal risk.
Is an online auction for a car or property where I have to pay before viewing a scam?
Yes. Requiring payment before viewing a vehicle or property is the defining characteristic of an auction scam.
Is a crypto mining app on my phone that earns real money legitimate?
Almost never. Legitimate cryptocurrency mining requires specialised hardware. Phone mining apps are overwhelmingly data-harvesting tools, malware, or misrepresented schemes.
Is a cold call about a data breach compensation claim a scam?
Very often yes. Unsolicited calls about data breach claims are lead generation for unregulated claims companies or outright fraud.
Is a secret shopper scam different from a legitimate mystery shopping job?
Yes. Legitimate mystery shopping pays modest amounts and never involves wire transfers. Scams use the mystery shopper label to recruit money mules.
Is a high-interest savings account advertised on social media legitimate?
Only if it is offered by a regulated bank or building society. Unregulated high-yield accounts advertised on social media are frequently fraud.
Is a work-from-home customer service job that handles client fund transfers a scam?
Almost certainly yes. Jobs that involve receiving and forwarding money are money mule operations, which are illegal.
Is a job offer in Dubai or abroad that requires me to pay visa and travel fees upfront a scam?
Yes. Legitimate foreign employers bear the cost of visas and relocation. Requiring advance payment from a candidate is a strong scam indicator.
Are AI-generated phishing emails harder to spot than traditional scam emails?
Yes. AI-generated phishing emails are better written, more personalised, and lack the spelling errors that were once reliable red flags.
Can scammers create a deepfake video of my face from my social media photos?
Yes. Publicly available photos and videos can be used to generate convincing deepfake content for fraud, extortion, or impersonation.
Can I be scammed on Airbnb or Vrbo even if the property has real reviews?
Yes. Account takeover fraud on rental platforms allows scammers to hijack established listings with genuine reviews.
Is a person who claims to be from a wealthy or royal family and wants to share their wealth with me a scam?
Yes. This is a modern variation of the advance fee fraud, one of the oldest and most persistent scam types.
Is a robocall about my car warranty or insurance expiring a scam?
Almost always yes. Unsolicited robocalls about vehicle warranties are a well-documented mass-scam targeting vehicle owners.
Is a Facebook Marketplace buyer who insists on using PayPal Goods and Services safe?
Not automatically. The G&S offer can itself be part of a scam involving fake PayPal emails and overpayment or chargeback fraud.
Is an email saying my iCloud account was logged into from a different country a scam?
It may be a scam phishing email designed to look like an Apple security alert. Check your actual account directly, not through the email link.
Is an online will-writing service I found through an ad safe to use?
Some are legitimate, but unregulated will-writing services can produce invalid documents. Verify regulation and use a solicitor for complex estates.
Is a cold call about government solar panel grants available for my home legitimate?
Almost never. Solar grant cold calls are typically lead generation for pushy salespeople or outright fraud collecting deposits for undelivered installations.
Is a crypto exchange registered in Vanuatu, Seychelles, or another offshore jurisdiction trustworthy?
Registration in low-regulation jurisdictions is a significant risk indicator. Many scam exchanges use offshore incorporation to avoid meaningful oversight.
Is a broker or service promising to recover my lost crypto investments legitimate?
No. Crypto recovery services are themselves scams that re-victimise people who have already lost money.
Is a celebrity-endorsed health or supplement product featured on a news website real?
No. Fake news websites with fabricated celebrity endorsements are a standard front for fraudulent supplement and health product sales.
Is a landlord who only accepts cash rent payments running a scam or breaking the law?
Not necessarily illegal, but cash-only rent is a significant risk indicator that offers you no payment record or consumer protection.
Is a binary options broker or Forex robot that trades for me automatically a scam?
Almost certainly yes. Binary options are banned in many countries, and automated Forex robots consistently underperform their marketing claims.
Is a text from a friend saying they need emergency bail money a scam?
Very often yes. Account takeover and emergency impersonation scams frequently target contacts of hacked accounts with urgent bail or travel requests.
Are student accommodation scams common, especially for international students?
Yes. International students who need housing before arriving in a country are prime targets for rental fraud.
Is a discount buying club or members-only savings scheme a scam?
Often yes. Many discount membership clubs use pyramid-like referral structures, provide illusory savings, and make cancellation deliberately difficult.
Is an email claiming to have a video of me visiting adult websites real?
Almost always no. Sextortion emails are mass-sent bluffs. No video exists in the overwhelming majority of cases.
Is a timeshare exit company offering to cancel my timeshare contract a scam?
Often yes. Timeshare exit companies frequently take large upfront fees and fail to cancel contracts, leaving owners in the same or worse position.
Is a text from Royal Mail or USPS asking for my card details to release a package real?
No. This is a delivery phishing text — one of the most commonly reported scam types in the UK and US.
Is a buy-now-pay-later plan offered by a cosmetic surgery or dental clinic safe?
The plan itself may be legitimate, but it can be used by unregulated clinics to lock you into debt for procedures that go wrong.
Is an email saying I won a foreign lottery I never entered real?
No. You cannot win a lottery you never entered. This is an advance fee fraud using a lottery as cover.
Can a phone scammer record my voice saying 'yes' and use it to authorise transactions?
Voice authorisation is rarely used for major transactions, but voice cloning from recorded samples is a growing and more serious threat.
Is it safe to send money to someone I met on a dating app if I have seen them on video call?
No. Video call verification is no longer reliable — deepfake and pre-recorded video tools allow scammers to appear on camera convincingly.
Someone is using my company's logo and name to send scam emails — what can I do?
This is brand impersonation fraud and is a crime in most jurisdictions. You can report it to email platforms, domain registrars, and law enforcement.
Can scammers create a fake Google Maps listing to intercept customers?
Yes. Fraudulent Google Business Profile listings redirect customers to scammers posing as legitimate businesses.
Is a cryptocurrency wallet app that shows my profits growing without me doing anything real?
No. An app that shows consistent growing profits automatically is a scam display — the numbers are fabricated to encourage larger deposits.
Is an unexpected call saying my child or grandchild is in trouble and needs money a scam?
Almost certainly yes. Family emergency scams exploit fear and urgency to prevent you from verifying before sending money.
Is an online service selling weight loss injections or prescription medication without a GP safe?
No. Prescription medication sold without a valid prescription is illegal and potentially dangerous.
Is an auction site for luxury goods or electronics that requires a joining fee legitimate?
Almost never. Membership fees for exclusive auction access are a common fraud — the auction is fake or the goods non-existent.
Is a new app that pays you to refer friends and build a team a pyramid scheme?
If income depends primarily on recruiting rather than on the app's genuine product or service, it has pyramid scheme characteristics.
Is a job application that requires me to pay for a skills assessment or background check a scam?
Yes in almost all cases. Legitimate employers never ask candidates to pay for assessments or background checks — this is standard employer cost.
Is an email from my CEO asking me to urgently buy gift cards and send the codes a scam?
Yes. CEO gift card impersonation is one of the most common and consistently effective business email scams.
Is a caller saying my car insurance is invalid and I must pay immediately to reactivate it a scam?
Very likely yes. Insurance impersonation calls use fear of driving illegally to collect card details or upfront premiums.
Is a call claiming I am registered on a do-not-call list and need to update my details a scam?
Yes. Legitimate do-not-call registries do not call you to verify or update your registration. Any such call is data harvesting or fraud.
Is a private number plate seller I found online safe to buy from?
Only use DVLA-authorised resellers. Many unlicensed private plate sellers take payment for registrations that are already sold or do not exist.
What is a clone phishing email and how do I spot one?
Clone phishing exactly copies a real email you may have received before, replacing links or attachments with malicious ones. It is one of the hardest phishing types to spot.
Is an estate agent or property seller who asks for an upfront retainer fee before listing my home a scam?
It depends. Some legitimate property services charge upfront fees, but fee-collection without service delivery is a common property fraud.
Is a payday loan that approved me instantly with no credit check safe?
No-credit-check loan offers are either unlicensed lenders or fee advance scams — both cause serious financial harm.
Is an online car history check from a third-party website trustworthy?
It depends on the provider. Established vehicle history check services provide accurate DVLA-linked data, but copycat sites sell outdated or fabricated reports.
I received an unexpected NFT or digital token in my wallet — is it a scam?
Almost certainly yes. Unexpected NFT airdrops are a common technique used to drain wallets when recipients try to interact with the assets.
Is a council tax or property tax debt letter from a bailiff company I don't recognise a scam?
It may be genuine but verify carefully. Scammers send fake enforcement notices to collect non-existent debts.
Is a work-from-home transcription or data entry job I found online legitimate?
Some are legitimate but many work-from-home transcription and data entry jobs are either underpaid labour or outright scams.
Is a collection call about an unpaid hospital or medical bill from an agency I don't recognise legitimate?
It may be genuine or it may be medical bill fraud — verify carefully before making any payment.
Is a stranger who claims my phone screen is cracked or broken trying to scam me?
Yes. This is a distraction scam where someone creates a false claim to initiate a conversation that ends in theft or a fake repair payment.
Is a Telegram Premium account sold at a discount by a stranger safe to buy?
No. Discounted Telegram Premium accounts are purchased with stolen payment cards and deactivated shortly after sale — you lose your money.
Can police trace and prosecute a romance scammer operating in another country?
It is difficult but not impossible. Cross-border collaboration between agencies does occur, though prosecutions are rare and depend on jurisdiction and resources.
Is a free credit score app that asks for my bank login details safe to use?
Only if the app is regulated and uses an FCA-authorised open banking connection. Unregulated apps that store your login credentials pose a serious security risk.
Is an email from my solicitor saying payment details have changed before a house purchase safe?
Treat with extreme caution. Conveyancing fraud is a devastating scam where criminals intercept emails and redirect completion funds.
Is a social media post claiming a company will match my charity donation real?
Often not. Fake donation matching posts harvest small payments or click-through data without any real corporate matching scheme behind them.
Is a text from what looks like DHL or Amazon asking me to reroute my package real?
Almost certainly not. Package rerouting smishing texts lead to credential-theft pages and card detail harvesting.
Is a free government broadband upgrade or affordable connectivity offer by phone or email real?
Genuine government broadband schemes exist but are not offered through unsolicited cold calls. Cold-call versions are scams.
Is a business grant that requires me to pay a processing or administrative fee upfront real?
No. Legitimate government and charitable business grants never require an upfront payment to access funding.
Is a crypto arbitrage trading bot offering guaranteed daily profits a scam?
Yes. No trading system can guarantee daily profits. Crypto arbitrage bot platforms are almost universally fraudulent.
Is a letter in the post saying my domain name is expiring from a company I don't recognise real?
Almost certainly not from your real registrar. Domain renewal scam letters collect payment to transfer your domain to an overpriced service.