The scam database
Scams
Every scam going around right now, one page each: what the text or call looks like, how it works, the red flags, what to do if you got it and what to do if you already paid. Updated as new variants appear, with the number of Latchkey readers who have reported each one.
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- 1
1,286 reader reports
The unpaid toll text scamThe unpaid toll text scam is a text message claiming you owe a small toll balance and must pay through a link today to avoid a late fee; the link leads to a fake toll-agency page that takes your card number and personal details.
- 2
958 reader reports
The package delivery text scamThe package delivery text scam is a text claiming a package could not be delivered because of a missing address detail or a small redelivery fee, with a link to a fake carrier page that collects your card number and personal details.
- 3
902 reader reports
The bank fraud department scamThe bank fraud department scam is a call or text that appears to come from your bank's fraud team, warning of a suspicious charge and then walking you through "securing" your money by reading them a code, moving funds to a "safe account," or sending yourself a Zelle payment that actually goes to the scammer.
- 4
611 reader reports
The tech support scamThe tech support scam is a pop-up, call or email claiming your computer is infected or a subscription is about to renew, which leads to a "technician" taking remote control of your computer and either charging for fake repairs or using the access to get into your bank.
- 5
540 reader reports
The Amazon impersonation scamThe Amazon impersonation scam is a call, text or email about a large order you did not place, a locked account or a Prime renewal, designed to get you to call a number or click a link where a fake agent takes your login, your card, or remote control of your device.
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Latest
- Tax season opener: 'your refund is ready' texts are back
With filing season open, readers are reporting texts and emails claiming an IRS refund is waiting and asking for a Social Security number and bank login to release it. The IRS does not text or email about refunds.
- New wave of FasTrak toll texts hitting California numbers
Readers across California reported a surge of "FasTrak unpaid toll" texts this week, most from overseas numbers and all linking to lookalike domains. Amounts are $4.15 to $12.50 with a late fee threatened for today.
All scams, A to Z
- The Amazon impersonation scamThe Amazon impersonation scam is a call, text or email about a large order you did not place, a locked account or a Prime renewal, designed to get you to call a number or click a link where a fake agent takes your login, your card, or remote control of your device.
- The bank fraud department scamThe bank fraud department scam is a call or text that appears to come from your bank's fraud team, warning of a suspicious charge and then walking you through "securing" your money by reading them a code, moving funds to a "safe account," or sending yourself a Zelle payment that actually goes to the scammer.
- The grandparent scamThe grandparent scam is a phone call in which someone pretends to be a grandchild (or a lawyer or officer calling about one) who is in jail, in a hospital or in an accident and needs money immediately, sent by gift card, cash courier or wire, and kept secret from the rest of the family.
- The IRS impersonation scamThe IRS impersonation scam is a call, text or email from someone claiming to be the IRS, demanding immediate payment of back taxes by gift card, wire or crypto under threat of arrest, or offering a refund you can claim by clicking a link and entering your Social Security number and bank details.
- The package delivery text scamThe package delivery text scam is a text claiming a package could not be delivered because of a missing address detail or a small redelivery fee, with a link to a fake carrier page that collects your card number and personal details.
- The recovery scamThe recovery scam targets people who were already scammed, with a call or message from a "lawyer," "recovery agency" or "government investigator" offering to get the lost money back for an upfront fee, which is itself the scam.
- The tech support scamThe tech support scam is a pop-up, call or email claiming your computer is infected or a subscription is about to renew, which leads to a "technician" taking remote control of your computer and either charging for fake repairs or using the access to get into your bank.
- The unpaid toll text scamThe unpaid toll text scam is a text message claiming you owe a small toll balance and must pay through a link today to avoid a late fee; the link leads to a fake toll-agency page that takes your card number and personal details.
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