Scam Encyclopedia
Comprehensive guides covering 200+ scam types across 15 categories. Learn to recognize, avoid, and report every type of fraud.
201
Scam Types
15
Categories
12
Languages
24/7
Updated Daily
Counterfeit Goods Scams: Spot Fake Products Online
Scammers sell fake designer goods, electronics, and branded products at steep discounts through fraudulent online stores and social media.
Dropshipping Fraud: Identify Fake Online Stores
Scammers create fake dropshipping stores offering counterfeit goods at steep discounts, then vanish with your payment.
Fake Escrow Scams: Protect High-Value Purchases
Scammers pose as escrow services to steal money during online sales of vehicles, equipment, and real estate.
Fake Marketplace Seller Scams: How to Spot & Avoid
Scammers create fraudulent storefronts on legitimate marketplaces to steal money and personal data from unsuspecting buyers.
Fake Online Store Scams: How to Spot & Avoid Them
Scammers create convincing fake online stores to steal payment info and money, leaving buyers with no products or recourse.
Fake Review Scams: How Scammers Manipulate Ratings
Scammers use fake positive reviews to sell counterfeit products or manipulate consumer trust, costing victims hundreds in low-quality purchases.
Gift Card Scams: How to Spot & Avoid Them
Scammers trick victims into buying gift cards and surrendering codes, with losses averaging $1,000 per incident.
Non-Delivery Scams: When You Pay But Never Receive
Scammers take payment for products that never arrive, disappearing after purchase while leaving you with nothing but an empty wallet.
Online Auction Fraud: How Scammers Exploit Bidders
Scammers use fake auction listings and non-delivery schemes to steal thousands from bidders monthly. Learn how to spot and avoid auction fraud.
Return Fraud: How Scammers Exploit Retail Policies
Return fraud costs retailers billions annually. Learn how scammers exploit lenient return policies to steal merchandise and refunds.
Subscription Trap Scams: Avoid Hidden Recurring Charges
Scammers lure you with free trials or discounted offers, then hide automatic recurring charges in confusing terms until you're trapped in costly subscriptions.
Event Ticket Scams: How to Spot Fake Tickets
Scammers sell counterfeit or non-existent event tickets through fake websites and social media, leaving victims without entry and out hundreds of dollars.
Triangulation Fraud: The Hidden E-commerce Scam
Scammers use stolen payment cards to buy items from legitimate retailers, then resell them to unsuspecting customers at a discount, keeping the profit while victims face chargebacks.
Business Email Compromise (BEC) Scams
Sophisticated criminals impersonate executives to trick employees into transferring large sums of money or sensitive data.
CEO Fraud: How Scammers Impersonate Executives
CEO fraud tricks employees into sending money by impersonating company leaders. Average losses exceed $50,000 per incident.
Reshipping & Money Mule Scams: Avoid Fraud Employment
Scammers pose as employers to recruit you as a 'money mule' or reshipping agent, making you complicit in money laundering and theft.
Check Overpayment Scam: How to Spot & Avoid It
Scammers send legitimate-looking checks for more than agreed, then pressure you to wire back the difference before the check bounces.
Data Entry Scams: Spot Fake Remote Job Offers
Scammers pose as employers offering easy remote data entry work, then steal money or personal information before disappearing.
Fake Job Posting Scams: How to Spot Fraudulent Offers
Scammers create convincing fake job postings to steal money, personal data, and identities from job seekers desperate for employment.
Fake Recruitment Agency Scams: How to Spot Fraudulent Job Offers
Scammers pose as legitimate recruiters to steal personal information and money from desperate job seekers, often targeting those in high-unemployment periods.
Freelancer Non-Payment Scams: Protect Your Work
Scammers hire freelancers, accept completed work, then disappear without paying. Losses average $2,000 per incident.
Invoice Fraud: Protect Your Business from Fake Bills
Scammers send forged invoices impersonating suppliers to trick businesses into paying for goods or services never ordered.
MLM & Pyramid Scheme Scams: Spotting the Illusion
Multi-level marketing schemes promise easy wealth through recruitment, but most participants lose money while only top recruiters profit.
Mystery Shopper Scam: Fake Job Offers Exposed
Scammers pose as mystery shopping companies offering easy cash, then steal money or personal information from applicants.