Scams by Who They Target

Scammers tailor their tactics to who they’re targeting. Browse the scams most often aimed at each group, and the warning signs that matter most.

Scams targeting seniors & older adults

Scams that disproportionately target older adults, retirees, and elderly homeowners — often through impersonation, urgency, and isolation.

Scams aimed at people looking for work or extra income — fake recruiters, task scams, and pay-to-get-paid traps.

Scams aimed at students and recent graduates — fake scholarships, tuition fraud, and diploma mills.

Scams aimed at businesses and their staff — invoice fraud, CEO impersonation, fake suppliers, and procurement scams.

Scams aimed at people buying online — fake stores, non-delivery, and too-good-to-be-true deals.

Scams aimed at investors and crypto holders — fake platforms, pig-butchering, and recovery scams.

Scams aimed at people in online relationships — romance scams, sextortion, and crypto-romance grooming.

Scams aimed at parents, grandparents, and families — family-emergency cons and child-focused scams.

Scams aimed at tourists and travellers — fake bookings, visa services, and airport/transfer scams.

Scams aimed at migrants, visa holders, and newcomers — fake immigration services and deportation threats.

Scams that spread through social media — account takeover, fake giveaways, and impersonation.

Scams aimed at homeowners — contractor fraud, foreclosure-relief, and utility/energy cons.