10 Biggest Scams People Are Falling for Today (and How to Avoid Them)
Scammers are getting smarter, faster, and more convincing every day. To help you stay safe, here are the 10 biggest scams people are falling for right now and how to protect yourself.
1. Tollbooth Texts
The scam: You get a text saying you missed a toll payment, with a link to “pay now.” That link leads straight to a fake site designed to steal your card information.
How to avoid it: Real toll agencies send notices through the mail, not by text. If you get one, delete it.
2. IRS Scams
The scam: Callers claim you owe back taxes and threaten arrest if you do not pay immediately. Others may send fake texts or emails.
How to avoid it: The IRS does not call, text, or email demanding instant payment. They always use official letters sent by mail.
3. Package Delivery Texts
The scam: You receive a message saying, “Your package could not be delivered, click here.” That link is a trap to steal your data or install malware.
How to avoid it: Track your packages directly through the carrier’s official website or app, never through links in texts.
4. Bank Account Alerts
The scam: Fraudsters send fake emails or texts warning of “suspicious activity” on your account. They ask you to log in through a link, which is really a fake login page.
How to avoid it: Do not click links in unexpected messages. Contact your bank using the number on your card or through the official app.
5. Fake Job Offers
The scam: You are “hired” quickly, sent a check, and asked to send money back or purchase equipment. The check bounces, and you lose your own funds.
How to avoid it: Real employers do not ask for money upfront or send checks before you begin work.
6. Romance Scams
The scam: A person you meet online builds a relationship with you, then invents a sudden “emergency” and asks for money.
How to avoid it: Never send money to someone you have not met in person.
7. Fake Tech Support
The scam: A pop-up warns your computer is infected and gives you a phone number to call. Once you call, scammers gain access to your computer and personal information.
How to avoid it: Close the pop-up, restart your device, and run your own security scan. Never call the numbers listed in alerts.
8. Social Media Account Resets
The scam: You get a DM or email saying your account will be deleted unless you log in immediately. The link provided is designed to steal your login credentials.
How to avoid it: Check for alerts inside the app itself. Never log in through links in messages.
9. Fake Charities
The scam: After natural disasters or major tragedies, fake donation sites appear overnight. Scammers pocket every dollar.
How to avoid it: Only give through verified, established charities’ official websites.
10. Crypto Investment Scams
The scam: Promises of huge returns if you send Bitcoin or other crypto. Once you send it, it is gone forever.
How to avoid it: If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Remember, crypto transactions cannot be reversed.
Scammers prey on speed and panic. Slow down, think twice, and never click a link, send money, or share personal info unless you are completely sure it is legitimate.
