Common Scams Reported to the FBI
Stay alert to avoid being scammed.
Have you or a loved one been solicited through a computer pop-up, social media site, dating site, text, email, or phone call by someone you have never met? You may have been targeted by a scam.
Common scams to avoid.
Has someone claiming to be a tech or customer support representative requested money to remove a virus or child pornography from your computer or secure your account?
Has someone you never met claimed to be romantically interested in you but requests you send them money or something else of value?
Has someone asked you to obtain cash to either purchase gift cards or deposit in a cryptocurrency ATM—or given you a QR code to deposit money into an ATM?
Have you been asked to invest in cryptocurrency or in gold futures?
In 2023, the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received over 880,000 complaints from Americans with potenial losses exceeding $12.5 billion
Other scams to be cautious of.
Has someone claiming to be a bank or government agency requested money, or for you to liquidate your accounts, in order to clear you of a crime or secure your accounts?
Have you ever been directed to withdraw cash to purchase gold or silver bars to give someone else?
Has someone sent individuals to your home or directed you to meet in a public place to drop off or pick up money, or other items of value, to deliver to an unknown person?
Has someone contacted you claiming a family member is in danger or jail, and you must send money now to avoid further harm?
Report scam threats to the proper authorities.
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and FBI-Milwaukee have compiled a list of common themes used in frauds and scams. If you can answer “YES” to any of the questions above, please go to www.ic3.gov for additional resources or to file a complaint. Persons 60 and older may call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at (833) 372-8311 for assistance in filing with the IC3.
To learn more about trending scams review IC3's Public Service Announcements and Annual Reports. You may also read the full FBI Fraud Alert flyer here.