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Scam library
Browse every Scam Wise article in one place.
Search by keyword or filter by topic to quickly find guidance on phishing, impersonation, travel scams, Medicare fraud, relationship scams, and more.
The Fake QR Code Scam: When a Sticker Sends You to a Crook
A square sticker on a parking meter looks official, and it may be the newest way scammers take your card number. Here is how the QR code scam works, the five-second check that stops it, and what to do if you already scanned.
Read: The Fake QR Code Scam
The Gold Bar Scam: A Courier at the Door for Your Savings
Scammers posing as government agents and bank fraud departments tell older adults to turn their savings into gold bars and hand them to a courier. Here is how the gold bar scam works, the words that give it away, and what to do if it has already started.
Read: The Gold Bar Scam
The AI Grandparent Scam: When a Loved One's Voice Is a Fake
The call sounds exactly like your grandchild because scammers now clone voices with AI. Learn how this upgraded grandparent scam works, why it is so convincing, and the simple family plan (including a code word) that stops it cold.
Read: The AI Grandparent Scam
AI Voice Cloning & Impersonation Scams
AI voice cloning scams sound like science fiction, but they are very real.
Read: AI Voice Cloning & Impersonation Scams
Home Improvement & Contractor Scams
Hey there, Scam Wise readers! Ready to talk about scams that literally hit close to home? Let's talk about home improvement and contractor scams.
Read: Home Improvement & Contractor Scams
Sextortion Scams Targeting Teens
Sextortion scams targeting teens are a tough but crucial topic – especially for parents, grandparents, and educators.
Read: Sextortion Scams Targeting Teens
Employment & Job Scams (Task-Based and Boss Impersonation)
Scams can target us in the workplace or during the job hunt.
Read: Employment & Job Scams (Task-Based and Boss Impersonation)
Green Energy & Solar Panel Scams
Hello Scam Wise friends! Solar panels and green energy upgrades are more popular than ever – who doesn’t love saving money and the planet?
Read: Green Energy & Solar Panel Scams
Small Business Impersonation Scams
Business impersonation scams happen when crooks pretend to be a trusted company or organization to trick you.
Read: Small Business Impersonation Scams
Pet Adoption & Puppy Purchase Scams
Hello Scam Wise readers! Are you or someone you know looking to add a furry friend to the family?
Read: Pet Adoption & Puppy Purchase Scams
Government Grant and Loan Scams
Hello Scam Wise readers! Ready to talk about “free money” scams? Because that’s what government grant and loan scams promise – and they’re almost always phony.
Read: Government Grant and Loan Scams
Fake Delivery and Package Fee Scams
Fake delivery and package fee scams have hit almost all of us.
Read: Fake Delivery and Package Fee Scams
Subscription Renewal & Refund Scams
Everyone has seen scams that clutter our inboxes and ring our phones all the time: subscription renewal scams and fake refund scams.
Read: Subscription Renewal & Refund Scams
Dating App & Romance Scams
Matters of the heart can make even careful people vulnerable to scammers. We’re talking about dating app and romance scams .
Read: Dating App & Romance Scams
Student & Job Scams
Welcome to Scam Wise. This guide is for students, job-seekers, and anyone looking for new opportunities.
Read: Student & Job Scams
Outsmarting Online Phishing and Tech Scams
Online scams and tech trickery are everywhere, and too many North Americans are encountering them.
Read: Outsmarting Online Phishing and Tech ScamsStaying Ahead of Impersonation Scams
Impersonation scams are one of the most pervasive threats.
Read: Staying Ahead of Impersonation Scams
Online Marketplaces and Shopping Scams
Scammers lurk in the digital shadows of online marketplaces and e-commerce – buy-and-sell groups, auction sites, and retail websites.
Read: Online Marketplaces and Shopping Scams
Cybersecurity 101 – Defending Your Digital Life
Scammers are active on the cyber side of fraud, using hacking, data breaches, and account takeovers.
Read: Cybersecurity 101 – Defending Your Digital Life
Protecting Seniors from Scams
This guide is especially for those of us caring for seniors – or who are seniors ourselves (though the advice is useful for everyone).
Read: Protecting Seniors from Scams
Spotting Investment and Crypto Scams
Watch out for investment scams – those offers that promise to make you rich, but only make the scammers richer – and the world of cryptocurrency cons.
Read: Spotting Investment and Crypto Scams
Health/Medicare Scam Awareness
Welcome to Scam Wise. This guide focuses on healthcare and Medicare scams that often target seniors and vulnerable patients.
Read: Health/Medicare Scam Awareness
Travel Scam Safety
Greetings from Scam Wise. As travel picks up, so do travel-related scams.
Read: Travel Scam SafetyAuthority Impersonation Scams
This guide covers scams where criminals impersonate authorities – think IRS agents, police officers, court officials, or tech support from big companies.
Read: Authority Impersonation Scams
Charity Scam Awareness
Giving to charity is a beautiful thing – and scammers exploit it.
Read: Charity Scam Awareness
Holiday & Seasonal Scams
The holidays bring giving, shopping, and celebration – and unfortunately, they also bring scammers.
Read: Holiday & Seasonal Scams
Safeguarding Seniors – Protecting Older Adults from Scams
Our parents, grandparents, and senior friends have a wealth of life experience, but they didn’t grow up with today’s technology – and criminals exploit that learning curve.
Read: Safeguarding Seniors – Protecting Older Adults from Scams
Vacation & Travel Scams – Don’t Let Fraudsters Ruin Your Trip
Summer or winter, scammers never take a vacation. In fact, they target your vacations!
Read: Vacation & Travel Scams – Don’t Let Fraudsters Ruin Your Trip
Looking Ahead – Emerging Scams and Final Fraud-Fighting Tips
Let’s look at where scams are heading – and the habits that will keep you safe.
Read: Looking Ahead – Emerging Scams and Final Fraud-Fighting Tips
Stay Safe on Social Media & Email – Online Presence Under Attack
Scams exploit our everyday online communication – from social media scams to sneaky frauds in your email inbox.
Read: Stay Safe on Social Media & Email – Online Presence Under AttackToo Good to Be True: Why Classic Investment Scams Still Work
The promise sounds perfect: a guaranteed return, a secret tip, an opportunity that won’t last. It’s the oldest trick in the book – and it still works, because hope is a powerful thing. Investment scams led to an astonishing $5.7 billion in reported losses in 2024 – more than any other type of fraud.
Read: Too Good to Be True
Work-from-Home or Job Offer
Job and employment scams target you when you’re looking for work or easy income. With many people seeking flexible or remote jobs, scammers have swooped in.
Read: Work-from-Home or Job OfferRing, Ring – It’s a Scam Calling (Phone & Tech Support Cons)
Your phone vibrates. The caller ID might even show a local number or a name like “Tech Support.” But is it legit?
Read: Ring, Ring – It’s a Scam Calling (Phone & Tech Support Cons)The Taxman & Government Impersonator Scams
Scams that pose as authorities are among the most frightening.
Read: The Taxman & Government Impersonator Scams
Guarding Your Identity – How to Prevent Identity Theft
This newsletter is all about identity theft , which is often called “the scam of all scams.” That’s because having your identity stolen can lead to many kinds of fraud – credit cards opened in your name, loans, tax filings, even criminals impersonating you if they get caught.
Read: Guarding Your Identity – How to Prevent Identity Theft
Matters of the Heart – Romance Scams & Online Imposters
Some scams prey on a kind heart. Romance scams and social media imposters are rampant, and they can fool even the savviest among us.
Read: Matters of the Heart – Romance Scams & Online Imposters
Spotting Phishing Scams
Welcome to Scam Wise. We’ll help you stay one step ahead of fraudsters by breaking down common scams and how to avoid them.
Read: Spotting Phishing ScamsNo articles match that search. Try a different keyword or remove a topic filter.
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