Types of scams:
Get familiar with
the threats
Understanding Different Types of Scams
Scammers use a variety of tactics to deceive and defraud victims. Romance scams prey on emotions, investment scams exploit financial aspirations, and extortion scams leverage fear and threats. Recognizing these different types of scams is the first step in protecting yourself.
Stay informed about the latest scam methods and learn how to identify red flags. Knowledge is your best defense against scammers. Use KnowScam’s resources to educate yourself and avoid falling victim to these pervasive threats.
Romance Scams
A scheme where a scammer feigns romantic interest to gain the victim’s trust and affection, ultimately defrauding them of money.
Investment Scams
A deceptive practice where victims are persuaded to invest in fraudulent or non-existent financial opportunities, often with promises of high returns and low risk.
Extortion Scams
A scam where the perpetrator threatens to reveal compromising information or take harmful action unless the victim pays a ransom.
Crypto Scams
Fraudulent schemes involving cryptocurrencies, including fake investment opportunities, Ponzi schemes, and phishing attacks targeting cryptocurrency holders.
Marketplace Scams
A type of fraud where scammers pose as buyers or sellers on online marketplaces, tricking victims into paying for goods or services that are never delivered or delivering subpar products.
Sweepstakes Scams
Similar to a lottery scam, victims are informed they’ve won a sweepstakes and must pay fees or provide personal information to receive the prize.
Lottery Scams
A scam where victims are told they’ve won a lottery or sweepstakes they never entered, but must pay fees or taxes upfront to claim their winnings.
Charity Scams
Fraud where scammers pose as charitable organizations to solicit donations, which they then pocket instead of using for the claimed charitable purpose.
Tech Support Scams
A scam where fraudsters pose as tech support agents, claiming the victim’s computer has a virus or issue, then charge for unnecessary repairs or steal personal information.
Pig Butchering
A type of long con scam where scammers build a fake relationship with the victim over time before convincing them to invest in fraudulent schemes, typically involving cryptocurrency or stocks.
Foreign Money Exchange
A fraudulent scheme where victims are tricked into transferring money abroad, often with the promise of a larger payoff later, commonly involving fake inheritance or business opportunities.
Tax Scam
A type of fraud where scammers impersonate tax authorities, threatening victims with legal action unless they pay supposed back taxes or fees.
Benefits Scam
A scam targeting individuals receiving government benefits, where scammers pose as officials and request personal information or payments to continue receiving benefits.
Imposter Scam
Fraud where scammers pose as trusted individuals or entities, such as family members, friends, or officials, to deceive victims into giving money or personal information.
Employment Scam
A deceptive scheme where scammers offer fake job opportunities to collect personal information, steal money through fake job training fees, or launder money.
Bank Impersonation Scam
Scammers impersonate bank officials and claim there’s a problem with the victim’s account, tricking them into revealing personal information or transferring money.
Overpayment Scam
A type of fraud where scammers send a fake check for more than the amount owed, then ask the victim to refund the excess amount before the check bounces.
Shipping Scam
A scheme where scammers trick victims into paying for shipping fees for non-existent goods or collect personal information through fake shipping notifications.
Discount Scam
Fraud where scammers offer fake discounts or coupons to collect personal information or money upfront for non-existent deals.
Emergency Scam
A fraudulent practice where scammers pose as a friend or family member in distress, asking for immediate financial assistance to handle an emergency.
Payroll Scam
A type of fraud where scammers gain access to a company’s payroll system and reroute employee paychecks or manipulate direct deposit information.
Fake Invoice Scam
A scheme where scammers send fake invoices to businesses, hoping they will pay without realizing the invoice is not legitimate.
Business Contract Scam
Scammers pose as legitimate businesses to offer fake contracts or deals, tricking victims into paying for non-existent services or goods.
Fake Deliverable Scam
A type of fraud where scammers pretend to be vendors or service providers, collecting payment for products or services they never deliver.
Fake Debt Scam
Scammers falsely claim the victim owes a debt and use aggressive tactics to collect money, often threatening legal action.
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TAMPA, Fla. — Aug. 6, 2024 — Scamnetic, a company dedicated to protecting individuals and businesses from digital threats using advanced AI technology, today launched its AI-based scam-detection solution. The Scamnetic...
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