Scam Watch
The scams going around right now — and how to spot them.
Neighbors warning neighbors. Real scams people reported, with the red flags that give them away. Seen one? Add it — you might save someone else.
Romance / investment “pig butchering” scam
Dating apps & unexpected DMs
A friendly stranger builds a relationship over weeks, then introduces a “can’t-miss” crypto investment on a site that shows fake growing profits — until you try to withdraw and are asked for taxes/fees that never end.
🚩 Red flags
Fast emotional connection from someone you’ve never met in person. Steering you to a specific investment app. Profits you can see but can’t withdraw.
Read & discuss →
Fake invoice / “you were charged” email
Impersonating PayPal, Norton, Geek Squad
An email shows a receipt for something you didn’t buy (antivirus renewal, a big purchase) with a phone number to “cancel.” Calling connects you to scammers who talk you into remote-access software and “refunds” that drain your account.
🚩 Red flags
No such purchase. A phone number instead of your real account. They want to remote into your computer to “process a refund.”
Read & discuss →
Job-offer scam: pay for your own equipment
Fake remote-job recruiters
An easy, well-paid remote job offer arrives. After a quick “interview” over chat, they send a check to buy your work equipment from “their vendor” — the check bounces after you’ve paid the vendor (them).
🚩 Red flags
Hired with no real interview. Asked to buy equipment up front or deposit a check and forward money. Communication only over Telegram/WhatsApp.
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“Grandparent” / family-emergency scam (now with AI voice)
Impersonating a relative in trouble
A caller sounds like a grandchild or relative in an emergency — arrested, in an accident abroad — and needs money urgently by gift cards or wire. AI voice cloning now makes the voice sound real.
🚩 Red flags
Pressure to act instantly and keep it secret. Payment by gift cards, crypto, or wire. Set a family “safe word” to verify real emergencies.
Read & discuss →
Fake “fraud alert” call from your bank
Impersonating your bank’s fraud department
Someone calls claiming to be your bank’s fraud team, says there’s a suspicious charge, and asks you to “verify” by reading a code they just texted you — which is actually the login/2FA code they triggered to take over your account.
🚩 Red flags
Your bank never asks you to read back a code. Caller ID can be spoofed. Hang up and call the number on your card yourself.
Read & discuss →
“Your package couldn’t be delivered” text with a link
Impersonating USPS / DHL / Amazon
A text says a delivery failed and you must confirm your address or pay a small redelivery fee via a link. The link leads to a convincing fake courier site that harvests your card and address.
🚩 Red flags
Real couriers don’t charge redelivery by text link. The URL isn’t the real usps.com/dhl.com. Urgency + a tiny fee to lower your guard.
Read & discuss →