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Asking for Money

Task scams usually start with an unexpected text offering online work. They say you can “make good money” by “product boosting” or doing “optimization tasks” online. Once you complete each task, you’ll see an ever-increasing tally of supposed earnings in the app. (They’re fake.) At some point, the app or online platform will ask you to deposit your own money — usually in crypto — to complete your next set of tasks and to get your supposed (fake) earnings out of the app. But if you make the deposit, not only is your real money is gone, you’ll never get those fake earnings.

• Ignore generic and unexpected texts or WhatsApp messages about jobs. Real employers will never contact you that way.
• Never pay anyone to get paid, or to get a job. That’s a sure sign of a scam.
• Don’t trust anyone who says they’ll pay you to rate or like things online. That’s illegal and no honest company will do it.

Key Signs

• Urgency to hurry up and make the transaction
• Strange payment method like crypto, gift card, or do it over the wire
• Impersonating your friends or loved ones
• Making Excuses on why they need the money

Ways to prevent scams

• Put your phone on the Do Not Call list: DO NOT CALL REGISTRY
• Report Fraud here: FRAUD REPORT
• Never send money over the phone; always in person at a trusted bank.

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Asking for Personal Information

Personal information scams usually start with an unexpected text, email, or call claiming there is an urgent problem with one of your accounts. They say you must "verify your identity" or "confirm your details" immediately to unlock your account or avoid a fine. Once you click their link, you'll see a professional-looking website or form that asks for your Social Security number, password, or banking codes. (They're fake.) At some point, the platform will use those details to lock you out of your real accounts or open fraudulent credit lines in your name. But if you fill out the form, not only is your private data compromised, you'll never regain control of the security breach.

• Ignore generic and unexpected alerts about account suspensions, tax issues, or package deliveries. Real companies will never ask you to resolve security issues through text links.
• Never share one-time passcodes or PINs with anyone, even if they claim to be a customer service representative. That's a sure sign of a scam.
• Don't trust anyone who asks for government IDs or financial details over social media or unverified chat apps. No honest organization operates that way.

Key Signs

• Mismatched Links or Emails: The sender's email address looks slightly off (e.g., support@paypa1-security.com instead of paypal.com), or the website URL doesn't match the actual company name.
• Generic Greetings: The message addresses you as "Dear Customer" or "Valued Member" rather than using your actual name, because scammers blast these messages to thousands of people at once.
• Requests for Security Data: They explicitly ask for things a real company will never ask you to reveal, such as passwords, PINs, or one-time verification codes sent to your phone.

Ways to prevent scams

• Put your phone on the Do Not Call list: DO NOT CALL REGISTRY
• Never send personal details over the phone or in an email if someone asks for it.
• Check Your Credit every now and then to make sure no one has opened anything on your credit.

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Offering Unexpected Opportunities

Unexpected opportunity scams usually start with an unexpected text, email, or social media DM offering an exclusive financial windfall. They say you have “won a major sweepstakes,” “qualified for a government grant,” or been selected for an “exclusive investment loop” that guarantees massive returns. Once you engage, they’ll show you professional-looking documents, fake certificates, or digital balances showing your supposed wealth. (They’re fake.) At some point, the organizer will ask you to pay an upfront fee — usually for "taxes," "processing," or "customs clearance" — before they can release your money. But if you pay that fee, not only is your money gone, you’ll never see a dime of that promised fortune.

Key Signs

• You Didn't Enter: You receive an announcement for a lottery, contest, or draw that you have no memory of entering or participating in.
• Guaranteed Returns: They offer an investment, crypto pool, or betting system and promise 100% guaranteed profits with "zero risk."
• Secrecy Requests: The person tells you to keep the opportunity a secret from your family, friends, or bank tellers so they don't "steal your spot."

Ways to prevent scams

• Delete and Block: Do not reply to unexpected messages offering money, grants, or investments. Replying lets scammers know your number is active.
• Verify Through Official Channels: If a message claims to be from a real agency (like the government or a major brand), look up their official contact info independently. Never use the links or phone numbers provided in the message.
• Keep Your Money in Your Pocket: Never pay upfront fees, taxes, or processing charges to claim a prize or start an investment. Legitimate windfalls always deduct fees from the payout.

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Sending Unsolicited Messages

Getting unsolicited messages usually starts with an unexpected text, WhatsApp chat, or email from an unknown number or someone pretending to have dialed the wrong person. They say something casual like “Is this [Name]?” or offer an accidental greeting to spark a conversation. Once you reply, they will quickly shift to acting overly friendly, sharing attractive photos, or introducing a "business partner" who makes easy money. (They’re fake.) At some point, the stranger will try to move the conversation to an unmonitored app or convince you to visit a specific platform to invest or buy a service. But if you keep engaging, not only will they exploit your trust, you’ll eventually be funneled into a financial or identity scam.

• Ignore generic and unexpected greetings from numbers you do not recognize. Real people trying to reach a friend will realize their mistake and stop messaging rather than trying to build a new relationship.
• Never reply to opt-out of text spam (like texting "STOP") unless it is a verified, short-code marketing message from a brand you actually use. Replying to a scammer just proves your number is active.
• Don’t trust anyone who moves you to a different app like Telegram, WhatsApp, or Line right after making contact. Honest professionals and legitimate businesses do not rely on random personal chat accounts to find clients.

Key Signs

• The "Wrong Number" Hook: The sender pretends they meant to text someone else but uses it as an excuse to keep chatting with you anyway.
• Suspicious Link Shorteners: The message includes cropped or unusual links (like bit.ly, tinyurl, or completely random letter combinations) to hide the real destination.
• Vague Job or Cash Offers: It promises high pay or free items for minimal effort without explaining what the actual company is.

Ways to prevent scams

• Use Your Phone's Built-in Filters: Enable "Filter Unknown Senders" on iOS or "Spam Protection" on Android to automatically catch these messages before they hit your main inbox.
• Report and Block Instantly: Use your app's built-in tool to report the message as spam. On mobile networks, you can also forward spam texts directly to 7726 (SPAM) to alert your carrier.
• Hide Your Contact Details: Avoid posting your phone number or primary email address publicly on social media, marketplace listings, or unverified online forums where scrapers can steal them.