Common Frauds and Scams

Learn about some of the most common frauds and scams that the FBI encounters—as well as tips to help you stay safe and what to do if you're a victim.

Reporting Frauds and Scams

If you or someone you know has been a victim of a scam or fraud scheme, report it to ic3.gov, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

Resources

Scams featured in this video include phishing, cryptocurrency investment fraud, charity and disaster fraud, cryptocurrency job scams, and tech support (elder fraud).

Inside the FBI Podcast: Fighting Fraud

On this episode of our podcast, we’ll define fraud, explain why and how the FBI investigates it, share tips for protecting yourself from scammers, and teach you how to report suspected frauds and scams to the Bureau.

Frauds and Scams

Results: 18 Items

Adoption Fraud

Unethical adoption service providers can take advantage of an emotionally charged process to deceive and defraud prospective adoptive parents or birth parents considering adoption. Learn what to look out for, how to protect yourself and your family, and what to do if you're a victim.
Business and Investment Fraud

Scammers are always looking to separate you from your money in business transactions. If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Common scams include advance fee schemes, Nigerian letter or 419 schemes, Ponzi schemes, pyramid schemes, and telemarketing fraud schemes.
Business Email Compromise

Business email compromise (BEC) is one of the most financially damaging online crimes. It exploits the fact that so many of us rely on email to conduct business—both personal and professional.
Charity and Disaster Fraud

Charity fraud scams can come in many forms: emails, social media posts, crowdfunding platforms, cold calls, etc. They are especially common after high-profile disasters. Always use caution and do your research when you're looking to donate to charitable causes.
Consumer Fraud Schemes

Learn more about common fraud schemes that target consumers, including identity theft, non-delivery scams, online car buying scams, and theft of ATM/debit and credit cards.
Cryptocurrency Investment Fraud

Cryptocurrency investment fraud, which the media commonly describes as pig butchering, is one of the most prevalent and damaging fraud schemes today.
Cryptocurrency Job Scams

Cryptocurrency job scams begin when scammers, masquerading as employees of legitimate companies, recruit victims and require them to deposit their own money in order to complete the job.
Elder Fraud

Each year, millions of elderly Americans fall victim to some type of financial fraud or confidence scheme. Common scams that target older citizens include romance scams, tech support scams, grandparent scams, government impersonation scams, sweepstakes and lottery scams, home repair scams, and TV/radio scams.
Election Crimes and Security

Fair elections are the foundation of our democracy, and the FBI is committed to protecting the rights of all Americans to vote. If you suspect a federal election crime, contact the FBI.
Health Care Fraud

Health care fraud is not a victimless crime. It affects everyone and causes tens of billions of dollars in losses each year. The FBI is the primary agency for investigating health care fraud, for both federal and private insurance programs.
Holiday Scams

When shopping online during the holiday season—or any time of year—always be wary of deals that seem too good to be true, and do your part to avoid becoming a scammer’s next victim.
Money Mules

A money mule is someone who transfers or moves illegally acquired money on behalf of someone else. Some money mules know they are supporting criminal enterprises; others are unaware that they are helping criminals profit. Don't be a mule.
Ransomware

Ransomware attacks are becoming more targeted, sophisticated, and costly. Learn more about this type of malware, including how to respond and report if it happens to you.
Romance Scams

Protect your heart—and your wallet—by learning to spot and prevent romance scams.
Sextortion

Sextortion is a crime that involves adults coercing kids and teens into sending explicit images online. The FBI has several resources to help caregivers and young people better understand what sextortion is, how to protect against it, and how to talk about this growing and devastating threat.
Skimming

Skimming occurs when devices illegally installed on ATMs, point-of-sale (POS) terminals, or fuel pumps capture data or record cardholders’ PINs.
Spoofing and Phishing

Spoofing and phishing are schemes aimed at tricking you into providing sensitive information—like your password or bank PIN—to scammers.
Timeshare Fraud

Timeshare fraud entails criminals conning part-time property owners into shelling out hefty sums of cash upfront, all under false pretenses related to their timeshare properties.