Scam of the Week

One high-impact scam, spotlighted every week. Check back each Monday — or subscribe by RSS — to stay a step ahead of the pattern most worth knowing right now.

This week's pick

Fake Amazon Call Scam

High risk

In this scam, an automated or live call claims to be from Amazon about a suspicious order, charge, or account problem, pressuring you to press a key or share details, then leads to remote access or payment fraud.

Read the full guide

How the weekly pick works

The spotlight rotates through the scams that cause the most reported harm — the patterns behind the largest losses in FTC, FBI IC3 and UK Finance data: fake bank alerts, investment platforms, romance manipulation, impersonation calls, and remote-access "support". Each featured guide includes cited statistics, a step-by-step breakdown of how the scam unfolds, an illustrative scenario, and exactly what to do if you have already engaged.

A weekly focus works because scams are seasonal and social: delivery scams spike around shopping periods, tax scams around filing deadlines, romance scams around holidays. Spending two minutes with one pattern a week builds broader recognition than trying to memorise everything at once.

The rotation

Every guide in the current rotation — read ahead if you don't want to wait.

High risk Bank & Payment

Fake Bank Alert Text Scam

This scam sends a text claiming suspicious activity on your account, then steers you to a fake login page or a 'fraud agent' who pressures you to move money.

High risk Crypto & Investment

Crypto Investment Scam

This scam promises high or guaranteed crypto returns through a fake platform, shows paper profits to encourage bigger deposits, then blocks withdrawals.

High risk Delivery

Fake Delivery Text Scam

This scam impersonates a courier with a missed-delivery text and a link to a fake page that asks for a fee or your personal and card details.

High risk Social Media

Romance Scam DM

This scam builds an online romantic relationship through messages, then invents an emergency or investment to ask for money, while always avoiding meeting in person.

High risk Job

Fake Job Offer Scam

This scam offers a job with little or no interview, then asks for upfront fees, personal documents, or bank details to 'set you up.'

High risk Phone & Voice

Fake Amazon Call Scam

In this scam, an automated or live call claims to be from Amazon about a suspicious order, charge, or account problem, pressuring you to press a key or share details, then leads to remote access or payment fraud.

High risk Tech Support

Remote Access Scam

In this scam, a caller or pop-up convinces you to install remote-access software so 'support' can fix an issue, then uses the control to view your screen, steal data, and move money.

High risk Bank & Payment

PayPal Payment Pending Scam

This scam shows a fake 'payment on hold' message claiming funds will be released once you ship an item or confirm details, but no real payment exists.

High risk Social Media

Instagram Verification Scam

This scam offers a blue verification badge or warns your account is at risk, then links to a fake login page that steals your password.

High risk Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace Buyer Email Scam

A fake buyer claims to have paid through an email service and asks you to confirm a fee or send the 'difference' before any real money arrives.

High risk AI & Deepfake

Deepfake Celebrity Endorsement Scam

In this scam, AI-generated deepfake videos make celebrities or public figures appear to endorse crypto schemes, products, or giveaways, luring viewers to fake investment platforms or purchases that steal money.

High risk AI & Deepfake

Voice Cloning Emergency Scam

In this scam, AI clones a relative's or colleague's voice from a short audio clip, then calls claiming an emergency, such as an accident, arrest, or kidnapping, to pressure you into sending money urgently.

Make it a habit

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Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.