See which brands scammers are impersonating right now, the new tricks behind fake texts, calls and online stores, and the red flags that give each one away.
Most scams don’t invent a story — they borrow a name you already trust. These are the companies scammers copy most often right now, and the lure each one usually comes with.
How it usually starts
A call, text or email about an order you didn’t place, a refund you’re owed, or a problem with your Prime membership.
Red flag
Pressure to act now, or a request for payment or card details over the phone. Amazon says it never asks for payment information by phone.
Stay safe
Open the Amazon app or website and check Your Orders and Message Center. Don’t call numbers from the message.
How it usually starts
A PayPal invoice or money request you didn’t expect, often with a note warning of a problem or a charge.
Red flag
A phone number to call in the invoice note, or a request to pay a crypto wallet. The number goes to the scammer.
Stay safe
Don’t pay or call. Open the PayPal app or website yourself, then decline or cancel the request and report it.
How it usually starts
A message saying you’re out of iCloud storage, or a call saying your Apple Account has a problem.
Red flag
Anyone asking for your Apple Account password or a verification code. Apple says it never asks for these.
Stay safe
Check storage in Settings on your iPhone. If a call claims to be from Apple, hang up and contact Apple through apple.com.
How it usually starts
A text about a missed delivery or an address problem that you never signed up to receive.
Red flag
A small fee and a link. USPS only texts if you asked for tracking updates, and those texts have no link.
Stay safe
Track parcels only at usps.com or in the official app. Forward the text to 7726 and report it to spam@uspis.gov.
How it usually starts
A text out of the blue saying you owe a small toll balance and must pay immediately.
Red flag
A threat of late fees or a suspended vehicle registration, plus a pay-now link in a text.
Stay safe
Don’t click the link. Check your account on your toll agency’s real website or by phone, then forward the text to 7726.
How it usually starts
A full-screen warning that looks like a Windows error and tells you to call a number now.
Red flag
A phone number in a pop-up or error message. Microsoft’s real error messages never include one.
Stay safe
Don’t call the number. If someone calls you claiming to be Microsoft, hang up. Never give a stranger remote access.
How it usually starts
A link in chat, a video or a website promising free Robux, items or a secret trick.
Red flag
Any site or game asking for your Roblox password, 2-step code or other login details.
Stay safe
Turn on 2-step verification and set spending limits in Parental Controls. Remind kids there’s no free Robux.
How it usually starts
An email saying you were charged hundreds of dollars for an antivirus renewal, with a number to call.
Red flag
Being asked to install AnyDesk or similar so they can “process the refund”.
Stay safe
Check your subscription by logging in on the official site. Don’t call the number or install anything.
How it usually starts
A message saying someone sent you money, but you have to pay a fee or verify your account to get it.
Red flag
Paying money to receive money, or anyone asking for your sign-in code or PIN.
Stay safe
Check your balance in the Cash App itself. Cash App never asks you to pay to claim a payment.
How it usually starts
A text, email or Facebook post saying you’ve won a member gift for a short survey.
Red flag
A “free” prize that asks you to pay for shipping or enter your card details.
Stay safe
Don’t click links in survey or reward messages or share personal details. Check Costco’s official site.
More commonly impersonated brands: Venmo, Zelle, FedEx, DHL, Netflix, Coinbase, Wells Fargo, Geek Squad, Xfinity, the IRS.
These tactics are spreading quickly across 2026. Learn how each one works, the red flag that gives it away and what to do instead.
Shopping
AI tools let scammers launch convincing storefronts by the hundreds every day — big discounts, stolen product photos and a checkout that takes your money but never ships.
Red flag
A brand-new site with prices that look too good to be true.
Stay safe
Check the store’s reviews on another site before you pay, and use a credit card.
Kids & gaming
Reports of Roblox scams have climbed sharply, making it the first kids’ platform in the top 10. “Free Robux” generators and chat links trick children into giving away their logins.
Red flag
Any “free Robux” offer or link shared in game chat.
Stay safe
Turn on 2-step verification and agree with kids never to share passwords.
Investment
A friendly stranger or online match slowly steers the chat toward crypto or trading. A fake platform shows growing profits — but you can never withdraw them.
Red flag
A new online contact who brings up investing and sends an app link.
Stay safe
Never move money to a platform recommended by someone you’ve only met online.
Employment
A “recruiter” texts about easy remote work like rating products. Early tasks pay a little, then you’re asked to deposit your own money to unlock your earnings.
Red flag
A job that asks you to pay before you can get paid.
Stay safe
Real employers never ask for a deposit. Stop replying and report the number.
Social
An invite to a party or event leads to a fake sign-in page. With your email password, scammers send the same invite to everyone in your contacts.
Red flag
An invitation that asks you to log in just to view it.
Stay safe
Confirm with the sender another way and turn on 2FA for your email.
Phone
Your phone rings once from an unknown international number. Call back and you’re connected to a premium-rate line that charges you by the minute.
Red flag
A missed call from a country code you don’t recognize.
Stay safe
Don’t call back unknown numbers — a real caller will leave a message.
Learn how to spot scam messages, recognize common red flags, and protect yourself from online scams with this interactive quiz.
Message 1 of 5
0 correct
USPS
Text message · Today 9:41
Read the message, then choose.
Download Signlore for iPhone
