Scam Questions & Answers
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Is a payday loan lender asking for an upfront insurance or processing fee before releasing my loan a scam?
Yes. Legitimate lenders deduct fees from loan proceeds — they never require an upfront cash payment before releasing funds. This is a loan fee scam.
Is an app or website asking for my crypto wallet seed phrase to connect or verify my wallet a scam?
Yes, always. Your seed phrase is the master key to your wallet. Any request for it is an attempt to steal all your funds instantly.
Is a call threatening to cut off my electricity or gas unless I pay right now a scam?
Very likely yes. Utility disconnection scams impersonate power and gas companies and demand immediate payment to avoid same-day service termination.
Is a car listed for sale online at well below market price a scam?
It is a significant warning sign. Below-market vehicle listings are frequently fraudulent, particularly when the seller is unavailable in person or requests payment before delivery.
Is a ticket seller on social media asking me to pay by bank transfer for sold-out event tickets legit?
Extremely risky. Social media ticket resellers have no accountability, and bank transfer gives you no recourse if the tickets turn out to be fake or never arrive.
Is a text message from HMRC or the IRS saying I have a tax refund waiting a scam?
Yes. Tax authorities do not notify refunds via text message with a link to click. These are phishing texts designed to steal your bank or personal details.
Is an online pet seller requiring full payment before I can collect or meet the animal a scam?
Very likely yes. Online pet fraud is widespread, particularly for puppies and kittens. Payment before seeing the animal in person is the single clearest warning sign.
Is an Instagram DM from a brand account offering me a sponsored post deal legit?
Many are not. Fake brand collaboration offers on Instagram are used to harvest personal details, sell you products at a discount you must buy first, or steal login credentials.
Is a website offering prescription medication at very low prices without requiring a prescription safe?
No. Sites selling prescription drugs without a prescription are operating illegally and the products may be counterfeit, contaminated, or entirely different to what is labelled.
Is a person asking me to cash a cheque for them and wire part of the money back a scam?
Yes, always. This is the classic cheque overpayment or money mule scam. The cheque will bounce after you have already sent real money.
Is a business opportunity that requires me to buy products and recruit others to earn income legit?
It could be a legal MLM or an illegal pyramid scheme. The key question is whether income comes primarily from real product sales or from recruiting new participants.
Is a call from someone claiming to be border force or customs saying a package in my name contains illegal items a scam?
Yes. Border force and customs agencies do not telephone members of the public to warn them about suspicious packages and demand immediate payment or personal details.
Is a student loan forgiveness offer that requires me to pay a processing fee a scam?
Yes. Legitimate government student loan forgiveness programmes are free to apply for. Any service charging a fee to apply on your behalf is taking your money for something you can do yourself at no cost.
Is an email saying I was caught viewing adult content and must pay to prevent the video being shared a scam?
Yes. This is called sextortion or webcam blackmail email fraud. In the vast majority of cases, the sender has no video and is bluffing entirely.
Is an online travel booking site with extremely low prices for flights or hotels legit?
Possibly not. Fraudulent travel booking sites take payment for reservations that do not exist, leaving travellers stranded with no booking and no refund.
Is a message saying my Netflix or streaming service payment has failed and my account will be cancelled a scam?
It is likely a phishing message. These are sent to millions of people hoping to catch genuine subscribers off guard and steal their payment card details.
Is scanning a QR code in a public place that leads to a payment or login page safe?
QR codes can be tampered with to redirect to fraudulent sites. Always verify the URL before entering any credentials or payment details after scanning.
Is a sponsored ad on social media for a product I like always from the real brand?
No. Social media ad systems can be exploited by fraudulent advertisers using stolen brand imagery. Sponsored ads do not guarantee the seller is the real brand.
Is a person claiming to be a soldier or aid worker overseas asking me to store valuables or receive a package on their behalf a scam?
Yes. This is a variant of romance or advance-fee fraud using a military or humanitarian cover story. No genuine soldier or aid worker needs a stranger to receive packages or funds.
Is a Facebook profile offering to send me a large sum of money if I send a small amount first a scam?
Yes, without exception. Sending money to receive more money from a stranger is the core mechanic of advance-fee fraud. No legitimate windfall works this way.
Is a door-to-door person collecting cash donations for a charity legit?
Treat with caution. Legitimate charities do use door-to-door fundraisers, but so do fraudsters pretending to represent charities. Never give cash — always donate through verified channels.
Is a WhatsApp message from an unknown number claiming to be my child who lost their phone and needs money urgently a scam?
Almost certainly yes. This is a family emergency impersonation scam and it is one of the fastest growing fraud types targeting parents and grandparents.
Is an app offering AI-powered stock trading with guaranteed returns a scam?
Almost certainly yes. No algorithm — AI-powered or otherwise — can guarantee stock market returns. This is a fraudulent investment platform using technology buzzwords to add credibility.
Is an online gaming contact asking me to send Steam gift cards or game credits to continue playing with them a scam?
Yes. Requesting gift cards to continue a gaming interaction is a scam regardless of the cover story. Gift cards are used because they are untraceable and non-refundable.
Is an unsolicited email offering me paid mystery shopping work legit?
Most unsolicited mystery shopper emails are scams. They lead into cheque overpayment fraud where you deposit a fake cheque, buy gift cards, and send the codes — leaving you with a bounced cheque and lost money.
Is a visa or immigration consultant charging large upfront fees before filing any application legitimate?
It may be a scam. Immigration fraud involves large upfront payments for services that are never delivered or for applications that are not submitted properly.
Is a health supplement ad claiming to cure or reverse a serious disease like diabetes or cancer legit?
No. Regulated medicines require clinical trial evidence and regulatory approval. Supplements making disease cure claims are either illegal or unproven, and they can be dangerous.
Is a new cryptocurrency or token offering huge returns to early investors a scam?
It has strong scam indicators. Most new token launches targeting retail investors with guaranteed returns are either rug pulls or pump-and-dump schemes.
Is a LinkedIn message saying I qualify for a business grant or government funding a scam?
Very likely yes. Unsolicited messages claiming you have been selected for a grant or business fund are a common advance-fee fraud delivered through professional networking platforms.
Is a video call or video featuring a celebrity recommending a specific investment or crypto platform a scam?
Very likely yes. AI-generated deepfake videos impersonating celebrities to promote fraudulent investments are a rapidly growing scam type.
Is an insurance policy being sold to me over the phone at an unusually low price legit?
Treat with serious caution. Ghost insurance scams sell fake policies that provide no coverage, and extremely low prices may indicate stripped-down coverage or outright fraud.
Is the phone number on a Google listing for a business always the real business's number?
Not always. Google Business listings can be edited by third parties through a process called listing hijacking, replacing real contact details with scammer numbers.
Is a money transfer request from a friend saying they are stuck and need urgent help a scam?
Very likely yes. Hacked social media and email accounts are used to send convincing emergency money requests to the victim's real contacts.
Is an online course promising to teach me to make thousands per week through dropshipping or affiliate marketing legit?
Most high-priced online courses making specific income promises are questionable at best. The business models they teach are real, but the promised earnings are typically not achievable by the vast majority of students.
Is a call from my internet provider saying my connection will be cut off unless I pay a past-due amount right now a scam?
Very likely a scam. Internet providers follow formal disconnection processes with written notices. Calls demanding immediate payment to prevent same-day disconnection are impersonation fraud.
Is an email from PayPal saying I have an invoice for a purchase I did not make a scam?
It is likely a PayPal invoice scam. Fraudsters can send real PayPal invoices for purchases you never made, hoping you will call the number in the invoice and be manipulated into sending money.
Can the IRS demand I pay a tax debt using gift cards?
No. The IRS and equivalent tax agencies in other countries never accept gift cards as payment and will never call demanding immediate payment this way.
Can police ask me to hand over my cash or valuables to protect them from fraud?
No. Police officers do not collect cash or valuables from members of the public as a fraud-protection measure. This request is a scam known as a police impersonation fraud.
Can a court contact me and demand immediate payment to avoid an arrest warrant?
No. Courts communicate through formal written summons and due process. Unsolicited calls demanding instant payment to cancel an arrest warrant are always fraudulent.
Can a utility company call and demand same-day payment or they will disconnect my service today?
No. Legitimate utility providers follow regulated disconnection procedures that require written notice and allow time to dispute or pay. A same-day shutoff threat by phone is a scam tactic.
Can a legitimate employer ask me to pay a fee before I can start a job?
No. Legitimate employers pay you — they never charge fees for hiring, training materials, background checks, or equipment before you start work.
Can a landlord ask for a deposit or payment before I have viewed the property?
No legitimate landlord requires a financial deposit before an in-person viewing. Any request for money before you have seen the property is a strong indicator of a rental scam.
Can a delivery company charge me a fee to release a parcel or package?
Legitimate couriers may collect genuine customs duties at the door, but unexpected 'release fees' demanded by text or email — especially when you are not expecting a parcel — are almost always a scam.
Can an immigration office contact me and demand an urgent fee to process or save my visa application?
No. Immigration authorities communicate through official case portals and written correspondence. Unexpected calls demanding urgent fees to save a visa are always scams.
Can my bank ever ask me to share my one-time passcode (OTP) over the phone?
No. Banks and financial services never ask you to read back an OTP they sent you. If someone calls asking for your OTP, they are attempting to access your account.
Can a tech support agent legitimately ask me to install remote access software on my computer?
Only if you initiated the support call through an official channel. Unsolicited calls claiming to detect viruses on your computer and asking you to install remote-access tools are always scams.
Can a bank or financial company ask me to pay a fee to release a refund owed to me?
No. Legitimate refunds from banks or financial institutions are credited directly to your account. Any request to pay a fee to receive money owed to you is a scam.
Can HMRC threaten me with immediate arrest for unpaid tax the first time they contact me?
No. HMRC does not threaten arrest on a first contact, and certainly not by phone. Immediate arrest threats for tax debt are a hallmark of impersonation scams.
Can the Social Security Administration suspend my Social Security number?
No. Social Security numbers cannot be suspended or deactivated. Calls claiming your SSN has been suspended are an impersonation scam.
Can a new employer ask for my online banking login to set up payroll direct deposit?
No. Payroll direct deposit requires only your bank account number and routing number — never your online banking username or password.
Can a government grant agency charge me a fee to claim a government grant?
No. Legitimate government grants are applied for through official portals at no upfront cost to you. Any fee to claim or activate a grant is a scam.
Can a landlord insist I pay rent exclusively by wire transfer or cryptocurrency?
Legitimate landlords rarely insist on wire transfer or cryptocurrency as the only accepted method. This restriction — especially before you have met in person — is a red flag for rental fraud.
Can a pension provider contact me and ask me to urgently transfer my pension to a new scheme?
Legitimate pension providers do not cold-call you urging immediate transfers. Unsolicited contact pressuring you to move your pension quickly is a pension liberation or pension scam.
Can a seller on an online marketplace ask me to pay outside the platform?
No legitimate seller on a reputable marketplace needs you to pay outside its protected checkout. Off-platform payment requests are a hallmark of marketplace fraud.
Can a charity legitimately ask me to pay a processing fee before my donation goes through?
No. Legitimate charities never require donors to pay a fee before a donation is processed. Processing fees on a real donation platform are deducted from the donation itself.
Can a bank fraud team ask me to test my account by withdrawing cash and handing it to an agent?
No. This is a common courier fraud script. Bank fraud teams do not send agents to collect cash from customers as part of any test or investigation.
Can a debt collector threaten me with immediate arrest if I do not pay right now?
No. Debt collectors cannot have you arrested for unpaid civil debts. Threats of immediate arrest to pressure payment are illegal in most jurisdictions and a common debt collection scam tactic.
Can a prize notification legitimately ask me to pay a fee to claim my winnings?
No. Legitimate lottery and prize winnings are paid in full with no upfront fee. Any notification that requires payment before you receive your prize is a scam.
Can my bank ask me to convert my savings to cryptocurrency to protect them from fraud?
No. Banks will never instruct you to convert money to cryptocurrency. This instruction is a fraud tactic used to move your funds into an untraceable form.
Can a job recruiter legitimately ask for my passport and national ID before an interview?
Legitimate employers verify identity documents after a job offer is accepted, not before an initial interview. Requests for identity documents at the application stage are a red flag.
Can a water company call me out of the blue and ask for my bank details to update direct debit?
No. Legitimate utility companies do not cold-call customers asking for full bank details. If you need to update payment details, call the number on your bill or log into your account online.
Can the Medicare office call and charge me a fee to issue a new Medicare card?
No. Medicare cards are issued free of charge. Any call asking you to pay for a new card is impersonating Medicare.
Can my phone company call and ask for an activation fee to keep my number active?
No. Mobile and phone carriers do not charge spontaneous activation fees to keep existing numbers active. This is a billing scam or impersonation tactic.
Can an insurance company demand I pay an additional premium top-up before they will pay my claim?
No. Legitimate insurers do not require additional premium payments as a condition of paying a valid claim. This demand is a sign of fraud or a disreputable company.
Can a university contact me and ask for a fee to confirm or secure my enrolment offer?
Legitimate universities collect enrolment deposits through verified official portals after an offer is formally issued. Unsolicited calls or emails requesting a fee to secure your place are a student scam tactic.
Can someone I met online legitimately ask for money to buy a flight to come and visit me?
People you genuinely know might ask for help with travel costs, but someone you have only met online who asks for money before you have ever met in person is almost certainly running a romance scam.
Can a financial regulator contact me and offer to recover money I lost in a scam?
Genuine regulators do not proactively contact scam victims to offer personal recovery services. Unsolicited offers to recover your scam losses are almost always a secondary scam called a recovery or refund scam.
Can HMRC or any tax authority accept payment by retail voucher or gift card?
No. No legitimate tax authority anywhere accepts retail vouchers or gift cards as payment. This demand is universally fraudulent.
Can a bank hire me as a mystery shopper to test staff by withdrawing and sending money?
No. Banks do not recruit mystery shoppers through unsolicited calls or emails to test branches by handling real money. Mystery shopper banking scams are a form of advance-fee and money mule fraud.
Can a benefits office ask me to pay cash to continue receiving my government benefits?
No. Government benefit payments are never conditional on recipients paying a cash fee. Any such demand is impersonation fraud.
Can an energy company call to offer me a refund and ask for my card details to process it?
No. Legitimate energy companies credit refunds to your account or send a cheque. Calls asking for card details to process a refund are phishing attempts.
Can a courier company send me a customs PIN by text and ask me to share it to release a parcel?
No. Customs PINs or release codes sent by a courier and then requested back are a form of OTP phishing — the code is designed to give someone else access to your account or payment, not to release a parcel.
Can a legitimate employer ask me to receive client payments into my personal bank account and forward them?
No. This is the defining feature of a money mule arrangement, which is illegal and can result in your bank account being closed and your facing criminal charges.
Can a visa processing agent guarantee my visa will be approved if I pay them a fee?
No visa agent or immigration lawyer can guarantee a visa approval — visa decisions rest solely with the government authority. Any guarantee of approval is either false advertising or a scam.
Can a bank security team ask me to delete my banking app as part of a security check?
No. A genuine bank security team would never ask you to delete your banking app. This instruction is designed to remove the secure channel you could use to verify the caller's identity.
Can a landlord legitimately ask for both a security deposit and last month's rent before I sign a lease?
Collecting a security deposit and first and last month's rent before lease signing is a legitimate and common practice in many markets, but only after an in-person viewing and with a formal, signed agreement.
Can a delivery courier ask me to enter or sign my debit card details on a device to confirm delivery?
No. Couriers confirm delivery through package signatures, photo evidence, or app confirmations — not by collecting card details. Any delivery requiring card data entry at the door is fraudulent.
Can a tax authority email me a link to click in order to claim a tax refund?
No. Tax authorities do not email links to click for refund collection. Refund notification emails containing links are phishing attempts regardless of how official they appear.
Can an immigration officer contact me and ask for a bribe to fast-track my visa or residency application?
No legitimate government official solicits bribes. Any contact requesting an unofficial payment to expedite your application is either corruption or, more commonly, an impersonation scam.
Can a health insurer or clinic ask me to pay my co-pay or appointment fee by gift card before I arrive?
No. Medical co-pays and appointment fees are collected at reception or through verified billing portals — never by gift card before the appointment.
Can a landlord ask me to sign a lease and pay a deposit without ever seeing the property?
Signing a lease and paying before any viewing is a serious red flag for rental fraud. No legitimate rental transaction should require financial commitment before you inspect the property.
Can a tech company pay me to test their payment system by sending and receiving money?
No legitimate tech company recruits random members of the public to test payment systems using real money. This is a money mule recruitment tactic.
Can an online casino or gaming site charge me a fee to withdraw my winnings?
Legitimate regulated casinos do not charge upfront fees to release winnings. Fee demands before withdrawals are a gambling scam tactic and may also indicate the site is unlicensed.
Can a bank employee or security team ever ask for my full online banking password over the phone?
No. Banks never ask for your full password. Legitimate security verification asks for specific characters from a memorable word — not the complete password.
Can a new employer pay me in advance and ask me to buy equipment or supplies with the money?
No legitimate employer sends money in advance and then asks you to purchase and forward equipment or supplies. This is a cheque fraud or money mule pattern.
Can an online investment platform require me to pay a tax or fee before I can withdraw my profits?
No legitimate investment platform withholds your funds pending an upfront tax payment from you. This is a standard exit barrier used in investment and crypto fraud.
Can a government agency charge a fee to register my business online?
Governments do charge registration fees, but only through official portals. Unsolicited calls or emails charging for business registration are impersonation scams targeting new entrepreneurs.
Can a crypto exchange freeze my funds and demand I pay taxes before releasing them?
No legitimate crypto exchange withholds your funds pending an upfront tax payment. This is a standard exit barrier in crypto investment fraud.
Can a landlord require me to pay rent through a specific wire transfer service to a personal name?
Legitimate landlords accept standard bank transfers to business or personal accounts associated with the property. Insistence on a specific wire service to a name you cannot verify is a red flag.
Can a recruiter or employer ask for my Social Security number in their very first message to me?
No. Legitimate employers collect Social Security numbers for payroll and tax purposes after a job offer is accepted and during formal onboarding — not in the first outreach message.
Can a subscription service legitimately charge me a fee to cancel a free trial?
No. Legitimate free trials either convert to a paid subscription or end without charge. A fee to cancel a free trial is deceptive billing practice and in many countries is illegal.
Can police ask me to send cryptocurrency to help them catch a scammer targeting my account?
No. Police do not ask members of the public to send cryptocurrency to assist law enforcement operations. This is a law enforcement impersonation scam.
Can a legitimate multi-level marketing company require me to buy products or pay fees before I can start earning?
Legitimate direct sales companies do not require significant upfront purchases or fees as a condition of participation. Mandatory large buy-ins are a hallmark of pyramid schemes.
Can a bank fraud investigator ask me to lie to the bank teller about why I am making a withdrawal?
No. Any instruction to deceive bank staff is a definitive sign of fraud. Genuine fraud investigations do not require customers to mislead employees.
Can a social media platform or its staff contact me and charge a fee to verify or restore my account?
Official verification badges are applied through the platform's own process — never through a direct payment to someone contacting you. Anyone charging a fee to verify or restore your account is impersonating the platform.
How do I spot a fake bank text message?
Fake bank texts create false urgency about account problems and ask you to click a link or call a number — your real bank never needs you to verify details by text.
How do I spot a fake delivery SMS?
Fake parcel texts claim a delivery failed and ask you to pay a small fee or update your address via a link — real carriers do not charge re-delivery fees by text.
How do I spot a fake IRS letter?
Fake IRS letters use urgent threats about arrest or immediate payment that the real IRS never makes — the IRS always allows time to question a notice and never demands gift cards.
How do I spot a fake HMRC letter or text?
Fake HMRC contacts threaten immediate arrest or promise a surprise tax refund and ask you to click a link or call a number — HMRC never demands same-day payment or sends refunds via text link.
How do I spot a fake invoice?
Fake invoices insert fraudulent bank details into legitimate-looking bills or charge for goods and services never ordered — always verify new payment details by phone before paying any invoice.