Category: Scams and Fraud

The phone rings late at night. A panicked voice says, “Grandma, it’s me. I’m in trouble and I need your help. Please don’t tell Mom and Dad.” The caller says they were in a car accident, got arrested, or are stuck in another country, and they need money right away.

It feels real. It sounds urgent. And that is exactly how the grandparent scam works.

This scam, also called the family emergency scam, targets people of all ages, but older adults are hit the hardest. Here is how it works, the warning signs to watch for, and what to do if you get one of these calls.

How the Grandparent Scam Works

The scammer pretends to be a grandchild, child, or other relative in a crisis. Sometimes a second person joins the call, pretending to be a police officer, lawyer, or doctor, to make the story sound more official.

The story usually follows the same pattern:

• There is an emergency. An accident, an arrest, a hospital bill, or trouble while traveling.
• They need money now. Bail, a lawyer’s fee, a medical bill, or a ticket home.
• It has to be a secret. “Please don’t tell anyone. I’m so embarrassed.”
• The payment method is unusual. Gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, cash sent by mail, or cash handed to a “courier” who comes to your door.

Scammers often find names and family details on social media, which makes their stories sound believable.

How Technology Makes It Harder to Spot

Today, scammers can use artificial intelligence to copy a person’s voice from short clips posted online. A few seconds of a video on social media may be enough to create a voice that sounds like someone you love.

They can also fake caller ID, so the call may appear to come from a local number, a police department, or even a family member’s phone.

This means you cannot trust a familiar voice or a familiar number alone. You need a way to check.

Warning Signs of a Fake Emergency Call

Be suspicious if a caller:

• Pushes you to act immediately and does not give you time to think.
• Asks you to keep the call a secret from other family members.
• Starts with “It’s me” and waits for you to say a name.
• Sounds a little different and explains it with a cold, a broken nose, or a bad connection.
• Asks for payment by gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or cash pickup.
• Hands the phone to a “lawyer,” “officer,” or “bail agent” who asks for money.

Real police and courts do not ask families to pay bail with gift cards or to hand cash to a stranger at the door. If a caller asks you to buy gift cards, it is a scam. Learn more in our guide on gift card scams.

What to Do If You Get One of These Calls

1. Stay calm and slow down. Scammers rely on panic. Taking a few minutes to think is your best protection.
2. Do not confirm names or details. If the caller says “It’s me,” ask “Who is this?” instead of guessing a name.
3. Ask a question only your relative would know. Something that is not on social media, like a pet’s nickname or a family memory.
4. Hang up and call your relative directly. Use the phone number you already have for them, not a number the caller gives you.
5. Call another family member. Check with parents, siblings, or friends who would know where your relative is. Ignore the request for secrecy.
6. Never send money until you have confirmed the story. A real emergency will still be real after a five-minute phone call to check.

Create a Family Code Word

One of the simplest protections is a family code word or safety phrase. Pick a word or short phrase that everyone in the family knows, but that is never posted online or shared with anyone else.

If someone calls claiming to be a family member in trouble, ask for the code word. If they cannot give it, hang up and call your relative directly.

Talk about this plan with older relatives, especially grandparents. A short conversation at a family dinner can prevent a very expensive mistake.

Protect Your Family’s Information Online

Scammers build their stories from what they find online. You can make their job harder:

• Set social media accounts to private.
• Avoid posting travel plans while you are away.
• Be careful about sharing family names, school names, and relationships publicly.
• Think twice before posting long videos with your voice, especially on public accounts.

What to Do If You Already Sent Money

If you think you were scammed, act quickly:

• Gift cards: Contact the company that issued the card right away. Keep the card and receipt.
• Wire transfer or money transfer app: Call the company and ask them to stop or reverse the transfer.
• Bank or credit card: Call your bank’s fraud department using the number on the back of your card.
• Cash sent by mail or delivery service: Contact the shipping company and ask them to stop the package.
• Cryptocurrency: Contact the exchange you used as soon as possible.

Then report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to your local police. Reporting helps authorities track scammers and warn others.

Do not feel ashamed. These scams are designed by professionals to fool smart, caring people. Talking about it openly helps protect your friends and family.

Quick Checklist

• Slow down. Urgency is a red flag.
• Never guess a name when a caller says “It’s me.”
• Hang up and call your relative on a number you already have.
• Ignore requests for secrecy.
• Never pay with gift cards, wire transfers, crypto, or cash to a courier.
• Set up a family code word.
• Report scams to the FTC and local police.

The grandparent scam works because it targets love and fear at the same time. A simple plan, a code word, and a quick phone call to check can stop it before any money is lost.

The holiday season is a time of giving. Many people donate to charities in December to help families in need, support local causes, or respond to disasters. Unfortunately, scammers know this too. They create fake charities, use names that sound like real organizations, and pressure people to give quickly. The good news is that a little checking before you give can make sure your money goes to people who really need it.

How charity scams work

Charity scammers usually try to reach you by phone, email, text message, social media, or even at your door. They often:

• Use names that sound almost the same as well-known charities
• Tell emotional stories designed to make you act right away
• Claim your donation is tax-deductible when it isn’t
• Thank you for a “pledge” or donation you never made, hoping you will pay
• Show up right after a disaster or tragedy in the news

The goal is always the same: to get your money before you have time to think.

Watch out for pressure

A real charity will be happy to receive your donation today, next week, or next month. Scammers want you to give immediately. Be careful if someone:

• Insists that you donate right now
• Gets upset or pushy when you ask questions
• Won’t send you written information about the charity
• Calls again and again after you say no

It is always okay to say, “I’d like to look into your organization first.”

Pay attention to how they want to be paid

The payment method is one of the biggest warning signs. Real charities accept checks and credit cards. Be very suspicious if someone asks you to donate with:

• Gift cards
• Wire transfers
• Cryptocurrency
• Cash picked up by a courier at your home

These payment methods are hard to trace and almost impossible to reverse. If a “charity” asks for them, don’t pay.

Research the charity before you give

Before you donate, take a few minutes to check the organization:

• Search for the charity’s name along with words like “scam,” “complaint,” or “review.”
• Look it up on charity rating websites, such as Charity Navigator, CharityWatch, or the BBB Wise Giving Alliance.
• If you want your donation to be tax-deductible, check the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tool on the IRS website.
• Find out how much of your donation goes to the actual cause, not to fundraising and administrative costs.

Give directly, on your own terms

The safest way to donate is to contact the charity yourself:

• Type the charity’s website address directly into your browser instead of clicking a link in an email, text, or social media post.
• If someone calls you, hang up and call the charity using the phone number listed on its official website.
• Be careful with QR codes on flyers or signs, since they can lead to fake websites.

Be careful with crowdfunding

Crowdfunding sites make it easy to help individuals and families in need. But not every fundraiser is real. Before you donate, check who created the fundraiser and how they are connected to the person who needs help. It is often safest to give to people you know personally, or to fundraisers shared directly by people you trust.

Keep good records

After you donate, keep a record of the charity’s name, the amount, the date, and how you paid. Check your bank or credit card statements to make sure you were charged the right amount, and only once. Good records also make tax time easier.

What to do if you gave to a scammer

If you think you donated to a fake charity:

1. Contact your bank or credit card company right away and ask if the payment can be stopped or reversed.
2. Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
3. Report it to your state’s attorney general or consumer protection office.
4. Watch your accounts for any other strange activity, especially if you shared personal information.

The bottom line

Giving during the holidays is a wonderful tradition, and you shouldn’t let scammers take that away. Take your time, research the charity, avoid unusual payment methods, and give directly through official websites or phone numbers. These simple steps make sure your generosity reaches the people who truly need it.

Gift cards are one of the most popular holiday presents. They are easy to buy, easy to send, and almost everyone likes them. Unfortunately, scammers like them too. Once the money on a gift card is spent, it is very hard to trace and almost impossible to get back. That makes gift cards a favorite tool for fraud. The good news is that a few simple rules can keep your money safe.

The number one rule: real companies never ask for payment in gift cards

Government agencies, banks, utility companies, and tech support services do not ask you to pay with gift cards. If someone tells you to buy a gift card and read them the numbers on the back, it is a scam. Every time. No exceptions.

Scammers often say things like:

• “You owe back taxes and will be arrested today unless you pay.”
• “Your power will be shut off in one hour.”
• “Your computer has a virus, and you need to pay for the repair.”
• “Your grandson is in trouble and needs money right now.”
• “I’m your boss, and I need you to buy gift cards for a client. Keep it quiet.”

All of these stories have the same goal: to make you panic and act fast, before you have time to think.

Watch out for tampered gift cards in stores

Some thieves don’t call you at all. Instead, they go to the store first. They take gift cards off the rack, secretly copy the card number and PIN, and put the card back. When you buy that card and load money on it, they use the numbers to spend the balance before your gift is ever opened.

To lower the risk:

• Look closely at the package before you buy. Avoid cards with torn packaging, loose plastic, or a scratched PIN area.
• When possible, take a card from the back of the rack instead of the front.
• Consider buying gift cards kept behind the counter or at the customer service desk.
• Keep your receipt until the card is fully used. You will need it if something goes wrong.

Buy online the safe way

If you buy gift cards online, buy directly from the store or brand that issues them, or from a retailer you already know and trust. Be careful with gift cards sold at a big discount on auction sites or social media. A “$100 card for $60” may be stolen, already empty, or fake.

Be careful with “free gift card” offers

Pop-ups, emails, and text messages that promise a free $500 gift card are usually traps. They may ask you to fill out a survey, enter personal information, or pay a small “shipping fee.” In the end, there is no gift card. The real goal is to steal your information or your card number.

If an offer looks too good to be true, close the page and do not click any links.

Tips for giving gift cards as presents

• Give the card along with the receipt, or keep the receipt in a safe place.
• Remind the person to use the card soon, before anything can go wrong.
• Register the card with the issuer if they offer that option. It can help if the card is lost or stolen.
• Check the balance shortly after you buy it to make sure the money was loaded.

What to do if you already paid a scammer with a gift card

Act quickly. Speed matters.

1. Contact the gift card company right away. Use the phone number or website printed on the back of the card. Tell them you paid a scammer and ask if they can freeze the money.
2. Keep the card and the receipt. Take a photo of both.
3. Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps stop scammers and protect other people.
4. If you shared personal information, such as your Social Security number or bank details, contact your bank and consider placing a fraud alert with the credit bureaus.

Feeling embarrassed is normal, but it is not your fault. Scammers are skilled at creating pressure and fear. Reporting what happened is the best thing you can do.

The bottom line

Gift cards are meant for gifts, not for payments. If anyone asks you to pay a bill, a fine, or a fee with a gift card, stop and hang up. Check the packaging before you buy, keep your receipts, and stay away from “free gift card” offers. With these habits, you can enjoy the holiday season without giving a gift to a scammer.

Holiday shopping season is also busy season for scammers. Every year, fake online stores pop up with great-looking photos, huge discounts, and a countdown timer telling you to buy now. You pay, and then nothing arrives, or you get a cheap knockoff that looks nothing like the picture. Here is how to spot a fake store before you hand over your money.

Red flags of a fake online store

One warning sign alone doesn’t always mean a scam, but if you see several of these, walk away:

• Prices that are far below what every other store charges
• A web address that looks almost right but is slightly off, with extra words, numbers, or odd spelling
• No real contact information, only a contact form or a free email address
• Pressure tactics like “only 2 left” or a timer that resets when you reload the page
• Spelling and grammar mistakes all over the site
• Product photos that look copied from other brands
• Payment options limited to wire transfer, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or payment apps

Check the web address carefully

Scammers often copy the look of real stores and use a web address that is close to the real one. Before you buy, look at the address bar letter by letter. If you got to the store by clicking an ad or a link in a text or email, close it and type the store’s address yourself or search for it.

A padlock icon in the address bar only means the connection is encrypted. It does not mean the store is honest. Many fake stores have one.

Look for the store outside its own website

Reviews on the store’s own site can be fake. Instead, search the store’s name together with words like “scam,” “reviews,” or “complaints.” If you find nothing at all, or you find stories from people who never got their orders, that tells you a lot. Be extra careful with stores that seem brand new.

Read the return policy and contact page

A real business tells you how to reach it and how returns work. Be suspicious if:

• There is no physical address or phone number
• The return policy is missing, vague, or says all sales are final
• The “About Us” page is generic and could fit any store

Pay the safer way

How you pay matters if something goes wrong. A credit card usually gives you the strongest protection, because you can dispute a charge for something you never received. Avoid stores that only accept:

• Wire transfers
• Gift cards
• Cryptocurrency
• Payment apps meant for sending money to friends and family

Legitimate stores don’t ask you to pay in ways that are hard to reverse.

Watch out for ads on social media

Many fake stores find their victims through ads on social media. The ad may show a popular product at an unbelievable price. Before you click “buy,” look up the store using the tips above. If the deal only exists in that ad, it probably isn’t real.

What to do if you already paid

If you think you bought from a fake store, act quickly:

• Contact your credit card company or bank right away and ask to dispute the charge
• Save screenshots of the website, your order, and any emails
• If you used the same password on that site anywhere else, change it
• Watch your account statements for charges you don’t recognize
• Report the store to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov

Reporting helps protect other shoppers, even if you don’t get your money back.

Quick checklist before you buy

• The price makes sense compared to other stores
• The web address is exactly right
• You found real reviews outside the store’s website
• There is a real address, phone number, and return policy
• You’re paying with a credit card, not a gift card or wire transfer

A great deal is only great if the package actually shows up. Take two minutes to check the store first, and enjoy your holiday shopping.

You are browsing the web when a loud warning fills your screen. It says your computer is infected, your files are at risk, and you must call a number right now. It may even play an alarm sound. This is a fake tech support scam, and it is designed to scare you into acting before you think. Here is how to recognize it and what to do.

How the scam works

The pop-up is not a real warning from your computer. It is a web page built to look like one, often using the logos of well-known tech companies. When you call the number, the person who answers pretends to be a technician. They ask you to install a program that gives them remote access to your computer, and then they ask for payment to “fix” a problem that never existed.

Warning signs of a fake alert

• A phone number on the screen. Real security warnings from your computer or antivirus program do not ask you to call a number.
• Alarm sounds and full-screen messages. These are meant to create panic.
• A countdown or a threat. Phrases like “your data will be deleted” are pressure tactics.
• A request for remote access. A legitimate company will not call or pop up on your screen and ask to take control of your computer.
• Unusual payment methods. Gift cards, wire transfers and cryptocurrency are a red flag for fraud.

What to do when you see one

1. Do not call the number and do not click anything inside the pop-up.
2. Close the browser. If the window will not close, restart your computer. On Windows, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and open Task Manager to close the browser. On a Mac, press Option + Command + Esc to force quit it.
3. When you reopen the browser, do not restore the previous tabs.
4. Run a scan with your own security software to be safe.

What if you already called or gave access

Act quickly and stay calm:

1. Disconnect the computer from the internet, by turning off Wi-Fi or unplugging the cable.
2. Remove any program the caller asked you to install.
3. Change your passwords from a different, safe device, starting with your email and banking accounts.
4. If you paid, contact your bank or card company right away and explain what happened.
5. Report the scam at reportfraud.ftc.gov, and consider filing a report at ic3.gov.

A simple habit that protects you

Remember this rule: a real warning will never ask you to call a stranger. If something on your screen frightens you, close it and contact a company only through the phone number printed on its official website or on your own account paperwork. Share this with older family members, who are often the target of these scams.

You get a text that says there is suspicious activity on your account, or that your card has been locked. It looks urgent, and it even seems to come from your bank. Messages like this are one of the most common scams today, and they work because they make people react before they think. Here is how to recognize a fake bank text and what to do about it.

Why these texts work

Scammers know that money worries get attention fast. They copy the tone of a real bank alert, add a sense of urgency, and include a link or a phone number. The goal is to get you to log in on a fake website or to read out a security code, so they can take over your account.

Warning signs of a fake bank text

• Urgency. Phrases like “act now,” “your account will be closed,” or “final notice” are meant to rush you.
• A link you did not ask for. Real banks rarely send links that ask you to sign in from a text message.
• A request for private information. Your bank will not ask for your full password, your PIN, or the one-time code sent to your phone.
• An unknown number or odd sender. Even if the name looks right, the number can be faked.
• Small mistakes. Strange spelling, odd spacing, or a link that looks almost like your bank’s real address.

What to do when you get one

1. Do not tap the link and do not reply. Even replying “STOP” can confirm that your number is active.
2. Check your account the safe way. Open your bank’s official app or type the address into your browser yourself. You can also call the number printed on the back of your card.
3. Report the message. In the United States you can forward the text to 7726 (SPAM) and report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
4. Delete it and block the number.

What if you already clicked or shared information

Do not panic, but act quickly:

1. Call your bank right away, using the number on your card, and tell them what happened.
2. Change your online banking password, and change it anywhere else you used the same one.
3. Turn on account alerts and two-step verification.
4. Look through your recent transactions for anything you do not recognize.
5. Consider placing a fraud alert or a credit freeze with the credit bureaus, and visit identitytheft.gov for a step-by-step recovery plan.

A simple habit that protects you

Treat every unexpected message about money as unverified until you check it yourself. Take a breath, close the text, and contact your bank through a channel you already trust. That one pause stops most of these scams.

Staying calm and checking first is the best defense. If you share this with a family member who is not used to these scams, you may save them a lot of trouble.

You get a text message: “Your package could not be delivered. Click here to reschedule.” It looks official, it creates a little panic, and the link is one tap away. This is one of the most common scams around, and it gets busier every year during the holiday shopping season. Here is how to recognize it and what to do if you already clicked.

How the scam works

Scammers send thousands of fake delivery messages by text or email, pretending to be a carrier like USPS, UPS, FedEx or DHL. The message usually says there is a problem with your package: an incomplete address, a missing fee or a failed delivery attempt. The link leads to a fake website that asks for your personal details or a small payment, often just a couple of dollars. The real goal is to steal your card number, your passwords or your identity.

Five warning signs

1. You were not expecting a package. Many people receive these messages while waiting for nothing at all, but the timing during the holidays makes them believable.
2. The link looks strange. Real carriers use their own official websites. Be suspicious of shortened links, odd spellings and extra words in the web address.
3. There is pressure to act fast. Phrases like “final notice” or “your package will be returned today” are designed to make you click before you think.
4. The sender is a random number or email address. Carriers do not text you from a personal-looking phone number.
5. It asks for money or personal information. A real carrier does not need your card number or Social Security number to deliver a package.

How to check safely

If you think the message might be real, do not use the link in it. Instead, open the carrier’s official website or app yourself and type in the tracking number from your order confirmation. If there is a real problem, it will show up there. You can also check the order directly in the store’s website or app.

What to do if you already clicked

First, stay calm. Clicking a link alone does not always cause harm, but act quickly.

If you only opened the page and did not type anything, close it and clear your browser history. Run a security scan on your phone or computer if you have security software installed.

If you entered your card number, call your bank or card company right away, using the number on the back of your card, and ask them to block the card and issue a new one. Watch your statements for charges you do not recognize.

If you entered a password, change it immediately on every site where you use it, and turn on two-factor authentication wherever it is available.

If you shared personal details like your Social Security number, consider placing a free fraud alert or credit freeze with the credit bureaus and visit IdentityTheft.gov for a step-by-step recovery plan.

How to report it

Forward the scam text to 7726 (SPAM), which helps your phone company block similar messages. You can also report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If the message pretended to be from USPS, you can forward the email to spam@uspis.gov. Then delete the message and block the sender.

Simple habits that protect you

Never click links in unexpected messages. Track your packages only through the official carrier app or website. Keep your phone and apps updated. Use unique passwords, and talk to older family members about this scam, since they are often the target.

A few seconds of doubt can save you hours of trouble. When a message pushes you to act right now, slow down and verify it yourself.