Scam Watch
Search results
Closest match
Fake government or police call
Scam
Yes. Real police and government agencies do not demand gift cards, crypto, gold, wire transfers or secrecy, and fake badges do not prove anything. Hang up and call the agency using a number you look up yourself.
Other possible matches
Fake prize or lottery
Scam
Yes. Real prizes are free, and you never pay fees or taxes up front. Do not pay or share details.
Card member services interest rate call
Scam
Yes, it is a scam. Hang up, and never give your card number or pay a fee up front. If you want a lower rate, call the number on the back of your own card and ask.
Tech support scam
Scam
Yes. Real companies do not show pop-ups with phone numbers or ask to control your computer. Close it and never give remote access or pay.
What the sources say
Scammers will probably ask you to wire funds or buy prepaid gift cards to pay the required “fines.”
Victims were also directed to purchase gift cards and transfer the gift card numbers to individuals falsely claiming that they would help.
They often insist that you pay with gift cards, a wire transfer, a bank transfer, cryptocurrency, or a payment app.
They ask for your bank account information, or ask you to send money via a wire transfer or to purchase gift cards and provide the card numbers.
The veteran was told to buy MoneyPak cards and send the codes, while keeping the supposed winnings secret.
They say they refunded you too much money and insist you pay them back with gift cards, a wire transfer, a bank transfer, cryptocurrency, or a payment app.
They then tell victims they can avoid arrest by withdrawing cash and transferring it to the government, purchasing a prepaid debit card such as a Green Dot card or gift card and read the card number over the phone to satisfy the fine, or by depositing cash into bitcoin ATMs.
And if someone says you have to pay them by gift card, wire transfer, a payment app, or cryptocurrency — to help you with your immigration status or for any reason — that’s also a scam.
They explain once again to never pay in prepaid gift cards or transfer money into crypto.
Be suspicious if someone asks for payment in gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.