Scam Questions & Answers
Page 7 of 17.
Is a work-from-home social media manager job requiring no experience that pays very well a scam?
Very often yes. High-paying, no-experience social media jobs are a common cover for task scams, data harvesting, or money mule recruitment.
I got a text about a Temu package needing a fee or address confirmation. Is it real?
Almost certainly not. Temu is a real company, but delivery texts asking for a small fee, an address confirmation, or a code are one of the most commonly faked messages there is. Do not tap the link. Check your orders inside the official app instead.
A Temu seller asked me to pay or take a refund outside the app. Should I do it?
No. Temu is a legitimate marketplace, but anyone messaging you can ask you to step outside it, and that step is where protection disappears. Keep the payment and the refund inside the app, on the original payment method, and report the request.
I got a text saying my SHEIN parcel could not be delivered and I need to pay a small fee. Is it real?
Almost certainly not. SHEIN is a real company, but it does not text customers asking for a small redelivery or customs fee through a link. Messages like this are sent in bulk to huge lists, hoping the person reading happens to have a parcel in transit.
Someone offered me a paid job reviewing SHEIN products but I have to buy the items first. Is this a scam?
Treat it as a scam. SHEIN is a real retailer, but genuine work never requires you to spend your own money on stock and wait to be repaid. The offer is a recruitment pitch from a stranger using a well known brand name to borrow trust.
I got a call saying my Robinhood account is locked and I need to move my funds to a safe wallet. Is that real?
No. Robinhood is a real, regulated brokerage, but it does not call people and tell them to move money or crypto to a safe account or outside wallet. A caller saying that is impersonating support, and any transfer you make that way is very hard to reverse.
Someone who said they work with Robinhood offered to manage my investments if I move my money to another platform. Is this a scam?
Almost certainly yes. Robinhood is a legitimate brokerage, but people impersonate it to build trust before steering you onto a different site or wallet they control. Once your money leaves the real app, you are dealing with a stranger, not the company.
I got a text saying my Chime account is locked and I need to verify it - is this real?
Almost certainly not. Chime is a real company, but messages like this are sent in bulk by people impersonating it, and the link or phone number in them leads to a copy of the real thing. Do not tap it. Open the app yourself and check there.
Someone replied to my post offering to unlock my Chime account for a fee - is that legitimate?
No. Chime is a real company, but the person replying to you does not work for it. Accounts under review are handled only through official support inside the app, and no genuine representative will find you on social media or ask for a fee.
I got a message saying my Remitly transfer is on hold and I need to pay a fee to release it. Is this real?
Almost certainly not. Remitly does not hold a transfer and then ask you to send an extra fee by gift card, crypto, or a separate transfer to release it. Fees are taken at the time you set up the transfer, inside the app.
Someone I met online asked me to send money through Remitly for an emergency. Should I do it?
Slow down before you send anything. Remitly is a real service, but a request to use it from someone you have only met online, or from a family member reaching out in an unexpected way, is a common setup for romance and emergency scams because the money moves fast and is hard to recall.
I got an Instacart shopper job offer asking me to pay for equipment first - is it real?
That is almost certainly not a real offer. Instacart is a legitimate company, but signing up as a shopper is free and happens inside the official app or website, and a genuine onboarding process does not ask you to pay for a starter kit, a card activation, or training. Any upfront payment request is the scam.
I got a text about a problem with my Instacart order and a refund - is it real?
Treat it as fake until you verify it yourself. Instacart is a real company and does send order notifications, but refunds appear as credits in your account and never require you to read out a code, share card details, or move money. The refund framing is the hook.
Is this OnlyFans account verification email real or a scam?
Treat it as a scam until you prove otherwise. OnlyFans is a real company, but real account and age checks happen inside the app or on the site you navigate to yourself, never through a link in an email or DM that asks for card details to prove you are an adult.
Someone says they have screenshots from my OnlyFans and will send them to my family unless I pay. What do I do?
This is sextortion, and it is a crime committed against you. Do not pay and do not send anything more. Paying almost never ends the demand, and in most cases the threat is a pressure tactic aimed at many people at once rather than a targeted plan.
A Turo host is asking me to pay by bank transfer or Zelle instead of through the app. Is that real?
That request is a scam signal, not a normal Turo process. Turo is a real, legitimate company, but anyone can message you claiming to be a host, and payment moved outside the app leaves you with no booking and no protection. Keep every payment inside the official app.
I got a message demanding payment for damage after my Turo trip. Is this a scam?
It might be genuine, but a demand that arrives by text or email and asks you to pay a person directly is a common scam shape. Real damage claims are handled inside Turo, which is a legitimate company. Verify by opening the app yourself before paying anything.
How do I get my money back after a Zelle scam?
Zelle payments are designed to be instant and final, so recovery is difficult — but report to your bank immediately, as authorized-push-payment rules may apply in some cases. Visit /recovery for a step-by-step action plan.
Can I get my money back after paying a scammer with gift cards?
Gift card payments are almost impossible to reverse — once the PIN is shared, the funds are gone. However, report to the issuer immediately; some retailers can freeze unredeemed cards.
Can I reverse a wire transfer I sent to a scammer?
Wire transfers can sometimes be recalled within the first few hours if the bank acts quickly — call your bank immediately. After 24 hours the chance drops sharply.
Can I do a chargeback on a credit card payment made to a scammer?
Yes — credit card chargebacks are one of the strongest consumer protections available. File a dispute with your card issuer promptly, citing fraud or non-delivery.
How do I recover money lost in a crypto scam?
Cryptocurrency payments are largely irreversible once confirmed on-chain. Focus on reporting to the FTC, FBI, and your exchange — and be wary of 'recovery scams' that target crypto victims.
I gave a scammer my bank login credentials — what should I do?
Act immediately: call your bank's fraud line right now, change your password, and ask them to lock your account. Every minute counts when your login is compromised.
I gave a scammer a one-time passcode (OTP) sent to my phone — what now?
Contact your bank or the relevant service immediately — the scammer may have just used that code to access or change your account. Change your password right away.
Should I report a scam to my bank or the police first?
Call your bank first if money is still in transit or your account is at risk — the bank can freeze funds while police reports take time. Then file the police report.
I paid a scammer with Cash App — can I get my money back?
Cash App payments are generally instant and non-reversible, but you can report the transaction inside the app and contact Cash App Support — some cases qualify for reimbursement under their fraud policy.
I gave a scammer remote access to my computer — what should I do?
Disconnect from the internet immediately, then run antivirus software, change all passwords from a different device, and check your bank accounts for unauthorized activity.
I sent money to a romance scammer — what should I do now?
Stop all contact immediately, secure your accounts, and report to the FTC and FBI. While financial recovery is difficult, reporting helps investigators and may protect others.
I paid by bank transfer to a scammer — can I get my money back?
Contact your bank immediately and ask for a payment recall — the sooner you act, the better the chance of recovery. Report to the FTC and, if needed, your country's banking regulator.
I shared my ID documents with a scammer — what should I do?
Report to the FTC's IdentityTheft.gov immediately, place a fraud alert on your credit file, and notify relevant agencies. Document fraud may take months to surface.
How do I get my money back after an online shopping scam?
File a chargeback with your credit or debit card issuer if you paid by card — this is usually your strongest option. If you paid via PayPal or a similar service, open a dispute there first.
I paid money to a fake job scammer — what do I do?
Report to the FTC and FBI right away and contact your payment provider immediately to attempt a reversal. Fake job scams often involve upfront fees or equipment scams — recovery depends on how you paid.
Can PayPal reverse a payment to a scammer?
Yes — PayPal Buyer Protection covers most goods and services purchases. Open a dispute in the Resolution Center within 180 days of the transaction date.
What actually happens after I report a scam to the FTC?
Your report is added to the FTC's Consumer Sentinel Network, shared with over 3,000 law enforcement partners, and used to identify scam trends — individual recovery is not guaranteed but reporting is still valuable.
How do I recover money lost in an investment or trading scam?
Report to the SEC, CFTC, or your country's financial regulator immediately. Recovery is possible in some cases through regulatory proceedings, but beware of recovery scams targeting investment fraud victims.
How do I get my money back after a rental scam?
If you paid by credit card or PayPal, file a dispute immediately. For wire or bank transfer, contact your bank for a recall. Report the listing to the platform and local police.
How do I get my money back after donating to a fake charity?
Credit card donations can be disputed; bank transfers are harder. Report to your state attorney general and the FTC — fake charities are heavily prosecuted at the state level.
What is a scam recovery scam, and how do I avoid it?
A recovery scam targets people who have already lost money to fraud, promising to get their money back for an upfront fee — and then stealing that fee too. Never pay anyone upfront to recover lost funds.
How long do I have to dispute a fraudulent charge on my credit or debit card?
For credit cards in the U.S., you generally have 60 days from the statement date, but many issuers extend this. Debit card windows are narrower — report within 2 business days for the strongest protection.
I fell for a tech support scam — what should I do?
Disconnect from the internet, run antivirus from a trusted tool, change passwords from a different device, and contact your bank if money was paid. Report to the FTC.
How do I get my money back after paying fees in a lottery or prize scam?
Lottery and prize fees are almost never recoverable — the scam's design is to collect fees endlessly. Report to the FTC and stop paying immediately to cut your losses.
My elderly parent was scammed — how do I help them recover?
Report to your bank and Adult Protective Services immediately, then help them through the financial dispute process. Emotional support matters as much as the financial steps.
I was scammed on Facebook Marketplace — what do I do?
Report the seller directly to Facebook, dispute any card or PayPal payment, and file with the FTC. Facebook Marketplace has limited buyer protection compared to platforms like eBay.
Can I get money back if I was scammed using Venmo?
Venmo payments between individuals are generally final. If paid for goods via Venmo's purchase protection, open a dispute. For personal payments, report to Venmo and your bank.
What should I do if I lose money to an IRS impersonation scam?
Report to the IRS's dedicated impersonation reporting portal, file with the FTC, and contact your payment provider about a potential reversal. The IRS never demands immediate payment by gift card or wire.
How do I recover after falling for a Social Security number scam?
Place a credit freeze and fraud alert with all three bureaus, report to the Social Security Administration OIG, and visit IdentityTheft.gov for a personalized recovery plan.
How do I stop a subscription scam and get a refund?
Cancel through your bank or card issuer (block future charges), then dispute past charges as unauthorized. Report to the FTC — subscription trap schemes are an enforcement priority.
I was scammed on a dating app — what do I do?
Report the profile to the dating app, stop all contact, and secure any accounts whose credentials were shared. If money was lost, report to the FTC and FBI.
I wired money to a scammer during a fake real estate closing — what do I do?
Call your bank immediately and ask for a wire recall — real estate wire fraud has a narrow recovery window. Also contact the FBI, which has a specific rapid-response process for these cases.
What is the best way to report a scam text message?
Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM) — this is the universal short code for all major carriers. Also report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
How do I recover after falling for a fake health supplement or medical scam?
Dispute the charge with your card issuer, report to the FDA and FTC, and monitor your bank for further unauthorized charges if you signed up for a 'free trial.'
I paid an immigration consultant or notario who turned out to be a scammer — what do I do?
Report to your state attorney general and immigration authorities. If money was paid by card, dispute the charge. You may also need to take corrective legal action on any bad paperwork filed.
Can I get my money back from a multi-level marketing or pyramid scheme?
Refunds from MLM schemes are rarely given voluntarily, but many companies have buy-back policies under FTC guidelines. Pyramid scheme victims may receive restitution in regulatory enforcement actions.
I was targeted by a grandparent scam and sent money — what should I do?
Stop sending money immediately, verify your grandchild is safe by calling them directly, and report to the FTC and local police. If money was sent recently, contact your bank.
How do I recover after a business email compromise (BEC) scam?
Call your bank's wire department immediately to initiate a recall, then report to the FBI's IC3 within the same business day for the best chance of asset recovery.
Can I get my money back after being scammed in a fake car sale?
Recovery depends on how you paid — credit card chargebacks are possible; wire or cash is nearly unrecoverable. Report to the FTC, your state DMV, and the platform where the listing appeared.
I was tricked by an AI deepfake or voice clone scam — what do I do?
Report to the FBI's IC3 and FTC, secure any compromised accounts, and contact your bank if money was transferred. AI-assisted fraud is an enforcement priority.
How do I report a phone scam call?
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the FCC at fcc.gov. You can also report to the Do Not Call Registry if applicable. Keep notes on the caller's number and what was said.
How do I recover after falling for a fake travel or vacation scam?
Dispute the charge with your credit card or travel platform immediately. Report to the FTC and your state attorney general — travel fraud is a regulated industry in most states.
I was scammed on eBay — what are my options?
Open a case through eBay's Resolution Center — eBay Money Back Guarantee covers most transactions if the item was not received or was not as described. Escalate to your payment method if eBay does not resolve it.
Someone hacked my email and used it to scam my contacts — what should I do?
Regain control of your account immediately, notify your contacts, and report to the email provider. Change all passwords that used the same credentials.
How do I get money back after being scammed in an online game or gaming marketplace?
Contact the game platform's support team first — most have policies against scamming and may reverse in-game transactions. For real-money purchases, dispute through your card issuer.
I was scammed by someone pretending to be my utility company — what do I do?
Call your real utility company to verify your account status, report the scam to the FTC, and contact your payment provider about a reversal if payment was recent.
I sent money via Western Union or MoneyGram to a scammer — can I get it back?
Once collected by the recipient, Western Union and MoneyGram payments cannot be reversed. If the transfer has not been picked up yet, call immediately to attempt a cancellation.
My debit card was used fraudulently — what are my rights?
Report to your bank within 2 business days of discovering the fraud for maximum protection. The Electronic Funds Transfer Act limits your liability based on how quickly you report.
How do I place a credit freeze after being scammed?
Contact each of the three major credit bureaus separately — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to place a free security freeze. This is one of the strongest identity theft protections available.
A scammer is threatening to release my information or images — what do I do?
Do not pay. Contact the FBI's IC3, report to the platform where contact occurred, and if sexual images are involved, report to the NCMEC CyberTipline. Payment almost always escalates demands.
How do I get my money back after a puppy or pet scam?
Dispute the charge with your credit card immediately. Report to the FTC and the Internet Crime Complaint Center. Puppy scams are a consistently high-volume fraud category.
I was scammed by a fake insurance company or fake insurance agent — what do I do?
Report to your state Department of Insurance immediately. State regulators actively pursue unlicensed insurers. Dispute premium payments with your card issuer and get legitimate coverage right away.
How do I recover after falling for a student loan forgiveness or debt relief scam?
Report to the FTC and CFPB. Cancel any power of attorney you signed and dispute fees charged by the company with your card issuer. Change your FSA ID credentials immediately.
How do I protect myself from being scammed again after being a victim?
Enable 2FA on key accounts, set up bank transaction alerts, place a fraud alert, and review your digital footprint. Knowledge and concrete security steps are your best protection.
How do I file a complaint with the CFPB after a financial scam?
File at consumerfinance.gov/complaint. The CFPB routes complaints directly to the financial company, which must respond within 15 days — it is most effective when your bank or payment company is not cooperating.
How do I recover from an advance fee scam?
Stop paying immediately — no additional fees will release any promised funds, because they do not exist. Report to the FTC, FBI, and the U.S. Secret Service if significant funds were lost.
What should I do if I accidentally sent money to the wrong person?
Contact your bank or payment app immediately — the faster you act, the better the chance of recovery. Accidental transfers are treated differently from scam transfers and some platforms have direct reversal options.
Can I report a scam anonymously without giving my personal details?
Yes — the FTC and FBI's IC3 accept anonymous reports. Some detail helps investigators but you are not required to provide your name or contact information.
Is a text message saying my parcel is held and I need to pay a fee a scam?
Almost certainly yes. Legitimate couriers do not send unsolicited texts demanding payment to release a package, and this is one of the most common smishing (SMS phishing) scams in circulation.
Is a job offer paying $500 a day to work from home a scam?
Most likely yes. Unsolicited job offers promising unusually high daily pay for easy remote work are a classic advance-fee or money-mule recruitment scam.
Is a crypto giveaway that promises to double my coins a scam?
Yes, without exception. No legitimate person or organisation has ever run a crypto giveaway that genuinely doubles coins sent to them. Every single one is a theft.
Is a pop-up warning saying my computer is infected and I must call a number a scam?
Yes. These are tech support scam pop-ups. No legitimate antivirus or operating system company sends browser pop-ups telling you to call a phone number.
Is an unexpected refund that appeared in my bank account a scam?
It could be. Unexpected deposits are a hallmark of the overpayment scam, where the money will later be reclaimed — leaving you out of pocket if you spent it or sent any of it back.
Is a romance match I met online who is now asking me to send money a scam?
Yes, almost certainly. Someone you have never met in person asking for money — regardless of the reason given — is the defining behaviour of a romance scam.
Is a website selling designer goods at huge discounts legit?
Almost never. Websites offering branded goods at 70-90% off retail are typically selling counterfeits, or will take your money and ship nothing at all.
Is a text or call saying I owe back taxes and will be arrested if I do not pay immediately a scam?
Yes. Tax authorities in every country communicate via official post, not surprise phone calls or texts threatening immediate arrest. This is one of the most common government impersonation scams.
Is a recruiter on LinkedIn asking for my personal details before scheduling an interview legit?
Likely not. Legitimate recruiters do not need your Social Security number, passport details, or bank information before an initial interview has even taken place.
Is a notification saying I won a lottery or prize draw I never entered a scam?
Yes, always. You cannot win a lottery or competition you never entered, and any 'prize' that requires you to pay fees or provide financial details first is a scam.
Is a seller on Facebook Marketplace asking me to pay by direct bank transfer safe?
It carries significant risk. Bank transfers to unknown private sellers offer little buyer protection, and Marketplace scams requesting transfers before delivery are common.
Is an investment opportunity promising guaranteed high returns with no risk legit?
No legitimate investment can guarantee high returns with no risk. This promise is the defining characteristic of a Ponzi scheme or investment fraud.
Is a call claiming to be my bank warning about suspicious activity on my account a scam?
It may be a legitimate bank call or it may be bank impersonation fraud — sometimes called authorised push payment fraud. You should always hang up and call your bank back using the official number.
Is a charity asking for donations after a natural disaster or emergency legit?
It may not be. Fake charity solicitations surge immediately after major disasters, mimicking real organisations to divert donations. Always verify before giving.
Is a free trial offer that requires my credit card details a scam?
Many are legitimate, but 'free trial' offers that bury subscription charges in fine print or make cancellation difficult are a form of billing scam. Know the terms before you enter your card.
Is a rental listing with unusually low rent that asks for a deposit before I can view the property a scam?
Almost certainly yes. Requiring a deposit before a viewing is a near-universal signal of rental fraud. You should never pay money to see a property you have not yet inspected in person.
Is a trading app asking me to deposit more cryptocurrency to unlock my profits a scam?
Yes. This is a pig-butchering or crypto trading scam. Your displayed profits do not exist, and any further deposit you make will also be stolen.
Is a call saying my Social Security number has been suspended due to suspicious activity a scam?
Yes. Social Security numbers cannot be suspended, and the Social Security Administration does not call people to report criminal activity linked to their SSN.
Is an email from my CEO asking me to urgently buy gift cards on behalf of the company a scam?
Almost certainly yes. This is a business email compromise scam, sometimes called a CEO fraud. No legitimate company uses gift cards for business payments.
Is an online seller with no reviews and no clear contact details legit?
Treat it with strong caution. Absence of reviews and a missing or vague contact page are among the clearest signals that a shopping site is either brand-new and unproven or actively fraudulent.
Is an offer to help me recover money I already lost to a scam legit?
Almost certainly not. Recovery fraud, also called a reload scam, specifically targets people who have already been scammed by offering fake recovery services — and then taking more money.
Is an email saying my account will be closed unless I verify my details immediately a scam?
Very likely. Urgent account-closure threats sent by email are a classic phishing technique designed to make you hand over login credentials or personal data.
Is a gig app that pays me to like videos, follow accounts, or complete tasks a scam?
Most of these are scams. Legitimate gig work does exist, but apps promising easy money for social media tasks are almost always designed to eventually steal deposits from you.
Is someone I met on a dating app asking me to invest in cryptocurrency with them a scam?
Yes. This is the classic setup for a pig-butchering scam, one of the most lucrative fraud types in operation today. The romantic relationship is entirely manufactured to set up the investment theft.
Is an email from someone claiming to offer me millions from an overseas fortune in exchange for help a scam?
Yes, without exception. This is an advance-fee fraud, one of the oldest scam formats still operating. No fortune exists, and any fees you pay will simply be stolen.