Loading…
Loading…
Scams that disproportionately target older adults, retirees, and elderly homeowners — often through impersonation, urgency, and isolation. (116 scam types.)
A caller claims a family member has been seriously injured in an accident and that the victim must send money immediately to cover medical treatment or transport. The accident is invented.
Promises of a large payout — inheritance, prize, contract or fund — that require fees paid upfront first.
Fraudulent AI services that simulate deceased loved ones or long-term companionship to extract recurring payments from vulnerable users.
AI tools that scrape your public data to generate personalised, convincing phishing messages that reference real details from your life.
Scammers use AI voice cloning to simulate a panicked loved one and demand ransom before the 'victim' can be reached.
Security software companies or scammers impersonating them charge far above market rate at renewal, use alarming pop-ups to prevent cancellation, or bill for licences on devices you no longer use.
A caller claims a family member has been arrested and needs bail money sent urgently before they can be released. The arrest is entirely fabricated.
Fraudulent messages impersonating benefits agencies demand recipients re-verify eligibility or update payment details to continue receiving payments, harvesting personal and banking data.
Fraudsters pose as broadband providers offering a free or heavily subsidised router upgrade, then use the visit or call to install malware, steal credentials, or charge hidden fees.
Pages that fake a 'locked' or 'frozen' computer to force a call to fake support.
Criminals intercept mailed checks, chemically erase the ink, and rewrite the payee name and amount before cashing or depositing them fraudulently.
Fraudsters impersonate police or bank fraud teams by phone, claim your card is compromised, and send a fake courier to your door to collect your card and PIN.
Cloned voices of family members or executives used to authorise urgent payments or 'rescues'.
Scammers impersonate law-enforcement officers on a live video call, tell the victim they are under a fictitious 'digital arrest', and demand immediate payment to avoid prosecution.
Bogus collectors who visit homes with fake ID badges and collection materials to solicit cash donations for non-existent charities.
Traveling contractors offer cheap driveway paving or sealcoating using leftover materials, collect a large deposit or full payment, then deliver shoddy work or vanish entirely.
Older adults are disproportionately targeted for identity theft due to stronger credit histories, consistent income streams, and the assumption that they check financial accounts less frequently. Fraudsters open credit lines, redirect benefits, and drain retirement accounts.
Sudden 'crisis' stories — accidents, arrests, stranded abroad — engineered to rush money out of you.
One of the oldest work-from-home frauds — pay a fee, get instructions on how to run the same scam on others.
Bogus 'your device is infected' warnings pushing paid 'security' software or support fees.
Workers posing as tree care professionals solicit urgent tree removal or trimming, collect large upfront payments, and either do poor work, damage the property, or disappear without completing the job.
Calls claiming a warrant is out for your arrest unless you pay a 'fine' immediately.
A caller claiming to be from your bank's fraud department says your account has been compromised and you must take urgent action — usually moving money to a 'safe account' or providing security credentials. Both requests are fraudulent.
Bogus 'you qualify for a benefit/grant' messages that harvest data or charge access fees.
Fraudsters impersonating internet providers to charge fake upgrade fees, harvest account credentials, or gain remote computer access.
Fraudsters pose as senior investigators from elite law-enforcement agencies such as the CBI, FBI, or NCA and conduct fake 'interrogations' to coerce victims into paying bribes or providing personal data.
Imposters posing as census officials who harvest identity data or charge fake 'participation fees'.
Fraudulent lottery or prize draw schemes that falsely claim a charitable purpose, collecting ticket payments that are not applied to any genuine cause and often never running a legitimate prize draw.
Fraudulent 'charities' with convincing names and websites that collect donations and pass nothing to any genuine cause.
Callers posing as child support enforcement agencies threatening arrest or licence suspension to force payment or data.
Fraudulent organisations that use images and stories of children in need to solicit donations that never reach any child welfare cause.
Scammers send fraudulent military draft or conscription notices and demand payment of exemption fees, medical assessment fees, or replacement costs — exploiting fear of mandatory military service to extract money.
Fraudulent emails impersonating courts or law enforcement claim the recipient has an outstanding fine that must be paid immediately to avoid arrest or escalating penalties.
Bogus court notices and 'missed jury duty' or 'lawsuit' threats demanding immediate payment.
Bogus cruise booking sites and imposter agents selling non-existent cabins at prices designed to attract first-time cruise shoppers.
Fraudulent services charge recurring fees to remove personal information from data broker sites but perform no work or provide a service anyone can do for free.
Plans marketed as dental or vision insurance that provide minimal or no real coverage, often structured as unregulated discount schemes.
Fraudulent text messages and app-based appeals that impersonate legitimate disaster relief organisations to divert emergency donations seconds after a crisis makes headlines.
Salespeople posing as energy auditors offer free home energy assessments, fabricate findings about insulation or window efficiency, and pressure homeowners into expensive upgrades that may qualify for nonexistent rebates.
Fraudulent brokers offering 'better energy rates' who collect switching fees or personal data and disappear.
Unsolicited offers of extended warranties or product protection that take regular premiums but deny every claim through narrow exclusions or fabricated policy documents.
Unsolicited calls or messages claiming your product warranty is expiring and pressuring you to buy a worthless extended plan.
Callers and websites posing as health insurance or government health programme enrolment agents who collect premiums, personal data, or fees for non-existent coverage.
Fraudulent policies that look like comprehensive health cover but pay out nothing — or far less than promised — when you need care.
Unregulated 'health benefit' memberships sold as insurance that have no obligation to pay claims — leaving members unprotected when they need care.
Aggressive door-to-door sales agents misrepresent home security products, forge credit checks, use deceptive contract terms, and lock homeowners into multi-year agreements for overpriced or non-functional systems.
Callers claiming you failed to report for jury duty and that a warrant is now active unless you pay a fine immediately.
Scammers impersonate police, federal agents, or government officials and claim they possess evidence of illegal activity by the victim, threatening to arrest or publicly expose them unless a bribe or settlement is paid.
A caller posing as a lawyer contacts a family member claiming to represent a relative who has been arrested, and requests an urgent fee for legal representation or bail assistance. No arrest has occurred.
Fraudsters collect life insurance premiums for policies that have never been issued, are unregulated, or will deny every claim through hidden exclusions.
A locksmith advertises a low service call fee online, then drills out the lock unnecessarily and charges many times the advertised price once the homeowner is locked out and vulnerable.
Fraudulent personal emergency response devices sold to older adults or people with health conditions that do not work, charge hidden subscription fees, or are never delivered.
Invented illnesses or accidents used to extract money for treatment that doesn't exist.
Scammers impersonate Medicare or social-healthcare officials and tell beneficiaries their new card or updated plan requires immediate activation, using the process to steal Medicare numbers, personal details, and payment information.
Callers or doorstep visitors using a bogus meter reading pretext to gain home access, steal personal data, or charge for unnecessary services.
Imposters claiming to be from the utility company arrive to inspect or upgrade a meter, gain access to the home, and commit theft, identity fraud, or charge for false electrical work.
Scammers impersonate pension administrators or government retirement offices and tell recipients they must reverify their identity to continue receiving pension payments, using the process to steal personal and financial information.
Imposters posing as police who claim your identity or accounts are compromised and demand action.
Fraudulent door-to-door or street collections that use religious imagery and charitable language to solicit cash donations that reach no genuine faith organisation or cause.
Threats that your social security or national insurance number is 'suspended' over alleged crimes.
Messages claiming a government stimulus payment is waiting but requires fees or banking details to release.
Callers and messages posing as the tax authority demanding urgent payment to avoid penalties or arrest.
Scammers impersonate tax-authority staff and tell victims they have an unclaimed tax refund ready to transfer, but first need the victim to share a one-time password to verify their bank account — which actually authorises a transfer out of that account.
Callers posing as Microsoft, Apple or your ISP who claim a problem and request remote access.
Fraudsters send convincing fake traffic-fine notices claiming a speed camera or red-light camera captured the victim's vehicle, then direct victims to fraudulent payment portals that steal money and card details.
A caller claiming to be from a utility company says there is an urgent problem with the victim's account or service — an overdue bill, a technical fault, or an emergency situation — and demands immediate payment or personal details.
Bogus organisations claiming to support military veterans or their families that pocket donated funds rather than delivering any services.
Fraudsters impersonate water companies offering an overpayment refund, then harvest bank details or charge an 'administration fee' to release funds that do not exist.
Callers claiming your tap water is contaminated and selling unnecessary or useless filtration equipment.
Products claiming to cause significant weight loss without diet or exercise changes — often sold via aggressive subscription traps.
Unsolicited notices claiming you have won a foreign lottery you never entered — with fees required to release the prize.
Fake property crowdfunding schemes that sell fractions of non-existent or unregistered real estate and then block withdrawals behind endless fees.
Scammers delivering any type of blackmail or extortion threat specifically demand payment in gift cards, directing victims to buy cards and read the codes over the phone or via message.
Requests for gift card codes as 'help' or 'gifts' — an untraceable way to drain money from victims.
Promoters persuade retirement savers to roll over pension or IRA funds into precious metals accounts, charging excessive fees, marking up metal prices, and storing assets in ways that reduce or eliminate their value.
A caller pretends to be a grandchild or other close relative in serious trouble, begging for urgent cash before the family finds out. The urgency and shame angle stop victims from pausing to verify.
Door-to-door solicitors offer cheap gutter cleaning, collect a cash payment, spend minutes on the roof doing little or no work, and leave before the homeowner can verify the result.
Messages that appear to come from a trusted contact whose account has been compromised, used to request money, gift cards, or personal information.
A handyman or general contractor takes a large upfront deposit for home repair or renovation work, then fails to appear, does minimal work, or disappears entirely with the funds.
Patients are charged for services never rendered, billed for more expensive treatments than received, or enrolled in programmes without consent — leaving them with inflated medical bills.
A technician performing a low-cost or free inspection fabricates or exaggerates HVAC faults, presents alarming safety claims, and pressures the homeowner into expensive repairs or replacement that are not needed.
Fake inheritance or estate-claim notices combined with lottery fraud elements, demanding fees to release large sums.
Notifications claiming you have won an overseas sweepstakes entry you never submitted, with escalating fees required to release a prize that does not exist.
Fake or manipulated investment opportunities that promise high, guaranteed returns and pressure you to deposit quickly.
Scammers invite people to a free meal or seminar, then use high-pressure sales tactics to push unsuitable or fraudulent financial products — often targeting retirees with pension savings.
Criminals steal physical mail from letterboxes or communal areas to harvest personal data — account statements, cards, and official letters — and commit identity fraud.
Criminals use your identity to obtain medical treatment, prescriptions, or insurance benefits — leaving you with fraudulent records and unexpected bills.
Criminals use your health insurance details, Medicare number, or NHS number to fraudulently receive medical care, prescription drugs, or insurance payouts — leaving you with corrupted medical records that can endanger your health.
Fake mystery-shopping jobs that send bogus cheques and instruct you to buy gift cards or wire funds — a classic fake-cheque variant.
A scammer calls using a phone number with the same area code or prefix as the victim's own number, making the call appear to come from a nearby or familiar source. The familiar number makes the victim more likely to answer and comply.
After building a long-distance romantic relationship, scammers claim they need money for visa or immigration fees to come and marry the victim — then disappear once paid.
A door-to-door pest control salesperson fabricates or exaggerates an infestation, uses alarming language to pressure the homeowner into an expensive contract, and delivers minimal or useless treatment.
Fraudulent insurers collect premiums for pet health policies that provide no coverage, leaving owners with worthless documentation and large veterinary bills.
Fraudulent messages claiming you have won a premium bond prize, used to collect personal details or advance fees under a government-institution pretext.
Fake or misleading pharmacy discount cards that charge membership fees for minimal savings, harvest personal health data, or misrepresent themselves as insurance.
Scammers inform you that a prize or cash reward is waiting but require an upfront processing, admin, or tax payment before it can be released.
Fraudsters sell fake or misrepresented short-term debt instruments — promissory notes — promising high fixed returns backed by corporate issuers that do not exist or cannot honour the obligation.
Fake prize mailers styled as publisher prize draws that demand purchase orders or fees to secure a non-existent grand prize.
Callers claim to have a recording of the victim agreeing to a debt or contract, and threaten legal action, arrest, or exposure unless immediate payment is made, often for a debt the victim does not owe.
Fraudulent appeals exploiting religious faith and community trust to solicit donations for fake missions, churches, or humanitarian work.
Fraudulent religious leaders and fake ministries that exploit tithing obligations and faith-based generosity to collect money for personal gain rather than any genuine religious or charitable purpose.
Any scam that persuades you to install screen-sharing or remote-control software to seize your device.
Fraudsters target older homeowners with fake or misrepresented reverse mortgage products, collecting fees for loans that never materialise or steering victims into predatory terms that risk their home.
Fraudsters posing as meter engineers to gain entry, steal data, or charge fees for free government schemes.
Scammers pose as Social Security Administration officials and falsely claim the victim's Social Security Number has been suspended due to suspicious activity, demanding payment or personal information to reactivate it.
After a hailstorm or severe weather event, traveling roofing crews descend on affected neighborhoods offering quick repairs, inflating insurance claims or pocketing large deposits before disappearing.
Fake sweepstakes notifications demanding processing fees, taxes, or charges before delivering a prize that never arrives.
Criminals combine real and AI-generated identity details to create new credit profiles that are used to take out loans, cards, and credit in a name that is partly or wholly fictitious.
Fraudsters combine real and fabricated personal data to create a new 'synthetic' identity, then build credit before vanishing with borrowed funds. Victims often do not realise until a debt collector calls years later.
Unauthorised third-party charges are added to your phone bill — often for services you never ordered — exploiting the billing relationship between you and your carrier.
High-pressure sales for worthless timeshare contracts and vacation clubs — plus fake 'exit' services that charge upfront to escape them.
Scammers impersonate electricity, gas, or water companies and threaten imminent service disconnection unless you pay immediately by gift card or transfer.
Callers and texts claiming your electricity, gas, or water is about to be cut off unless you pay immediately.
Unsolicited calls and letters claiming your warranty or insurance is about to expire — pressuring you into paying for a renewal or product you do not need.
Scammers targeting bereaved people with manufactured empathy, exploiting grief to build trust and then request money.
Unsolicited phone calls claiming you have won a prize, used to extract fees, personal information, or payment card details over the phone.