The universal red flags
Almost every scam relies on at least one of these:
- Urgency or threats. "Act now or you lose access / will be arrested." Pressure is designed to stop you thinking clearly.
- Unusual payment demands. Gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or prepaid cards — anything irreversible and hard to trace.
- Requests for codes, passwords, or IDs. A real organisation already has your account details and never needs you to send a password or one-time code.
- Links that don't match the brand. A message claims to be from your bank or a courier, but the link points to a look-alike domain.
- Too good to be true. A prize, inheritance, grant, or "guaranteed" return that appears out of nowhere.
- Secrecy. "Don't tell anyone." Isolation stops you from checking with someone who'd recognise the con.
The golden rule: if a message creates pressure to act fast through an unusual channel, slow down and verify independently — open the site or app yourself, or call the number on your card or official documents.
Common scams, and how to recognise each one
Phishing emails and "verify your account" messages
These warn that your account is suspended, a payment failed, or you must "verify your identity," then push you to a link. The link leads to a fake login page that captures your password. Never log in through a link in a message — navigate to the service yourself.
Package delivery scam texts (smishing)
A text claims a parcel is on hold and asks you to pay a small "fee" or confirm your address via a link. Couriers do not collect tiny fees by text. Track packages only through the courier's official app using your real tracking number.
Romance scams
A connection moves fast, avoids video calls or meeting ("camera broken," "deployed overseas," "stuck on an oil rig"), and eventually invents an emergency — a flight, visa, or hospital bill — that needs your money. Be suspicious of online romance that refuses video contact and then asks for funds.
Gift card and advance-fee payment scams
No legitimate business, government agency, or support desk will ever ask you to pay with gift cards or to send an upfront "release," "processing," or "clearance" fee. These methods are chosen because the money is gone the instant it leaves you.
Investment and crypto scams
Guaranteed, high, fast returns — especially in cryptocurrency — do not exist. These schemes show fake profits on a fake platform, pressure you to invest more, then block withdrawals when you try to cash out.
Bank-fraud text messages
"Did you attempt a purchase of $X? If this was not you, click here." The link goes to a fake bank login. If you're worried about a charge, open your banking app directly or call the number on your card.
Refund and tech-support scams
Someone claiming to be from Microsoft, Apple, or a subscription service says you're owed a refund or that your computer has a problem. They seek remote access to your device, or "accidentally" refund too much and demand the difference back. Hang up; never grant remote access or log into banking while on the call.
Job, work-from-home, and money-mule offers
"Easy money receiving and forwarding packages or payments" is not a job — it recruits you as a money mule for laundering, which is a crime you can be prosecuted for. Be wary of any role that involves handling money or goods on someone else's behalf.
If you've already been scammed
Act quickly: contact your bank or card provider to stop or reverse the payment, change the passwords of any account you entered, and report it to your national authority — such as the FTC (reportfraud.ftc.gov) in the US, Action Fraud in the UK, or Scamwatch in Australia. The sooner you act, the more options you have.