Fake unpaid toll road text messages
Text message scams · Posted May 28, 2026
Texts claim you owe a small toll fee and link to a fake payment page that steals your card and personal information.
🚩 Red flags
- Urgent threat of fines or license suspension
- Link does not match your real toll agency website
- Asks for full card number, SSN, or date of birth
✅ What to do
- Do not tap the link
- Delete the message
- If unsure, go directly to your state's official toll website
Source: FBI IC3 / FTC Consumer Alerts·✅ Reviewed by Jeffrey Bernard
"New Medicare card" phone scam
Medicare scams · Posted May 22, 2026
Callers pretend to be from Medicare and say you need a new card. They ask for your Medicare number to 'verify' you.
🚩 Red flags
- Unsolicited call claiming to be Medicare
- Asks for your Medicare number, SSN, or bank info
- Pressures you to act today
✅ What to do
- Hang up immediately
- Call Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE
- Report the call at 1-800-HHS-TIPS
Source: Medicare.gov·✅ Reviewed by Jeffrey Bernard
"Fraud alert" calls pretending to be your bank
Bank scams · Posted May 20, 2026
A caller says there is suspicious activity on your account and asks you to move money to a 'safe account' or share a verification code.
🚩 Red flags
- Asks you to move or wire money to protect it
- Asks for a code sent by text
- Caller ID shows your bank but the request feels wrong
✅ What to do
- Hang up
- Call the number on the back of your bank card
- Never share verification codes with anyone
Source: AARP Fraud Watch Network·✅ Reviewed by Jeffrey Bernard
Fake Amazon order confirmation emails
Phishing emails · Posted May 18, 2026
Email says you were charged for an expensive order and gives a phone number to 'cancel.' The number connects to scammers.
🚩 Red flags
- Surprise charge for something you did not buy
- Phone number in the email instead of a link to your account
- Pressure to call right now
✅ What to do
- Do not call the number in the email
- Open the Amazon app or website yourself to check orders
- Delete or report the email as phishing
Source: FTC Consumer Alerts·✅ Reviewed by Jeffrey Bernard
Grandparent emergency scam
Phone call scams · Posted May 15, 2026
A caller pretends to be a grandchild in trouble and asks for money urgently, often through gift cards or a wire transfer.
🚩 Red flags
- Caller says 'don't tell anyone'
- Asks for gift cards, wire transfer, or cash by courier
- Voice sounds 'off' or there is a bad connection
✅ What to do
- Hang up and call your family member directly
- Ask a question only the real person would know
- Never send money based on a single phone call
Source: FTC Consumer Alerts·✅ Reviewed by Jeffrey Bernard
"Package delivery failed" text scam
Package delivery scams · Posted May 8, 2026
Text says a package couldn't be delivered and links to a fake USPS, UPS, or FedEx page asking for a small fee and your card info.
🚩 Red flags
- You weren't expecting a package
- Link is shortened or looks strange
- Asks for a redelivery fee
✅ What to do
- Do not tap the link
- Track packages only through the official carrier app or website
- Report the text to 7726 (SPAM)
Source: USPIS·✅ Reviewed by Jeffrey Bernard
Online romance scams asking for money
Romance scams · Posted May 2, 2026
A new online friend or 'partner' you've never met in person eventually asks for money for an emergency, travel, or investment.
🚩 Red flags
- Avoids video calls or meeting in person
- Story has constant emergencies
- Asks for money, gift cards, or crypto
✅ What to do
- Stop sending money immediately
- Talk to a trusted family member or friend
- Report to ftc.gov/complaint
Source: FBI IC3·✅ Reviewed by Jeffrey Bernard
Fake IRS calls threatening arrest
Government impersonation scams · Posted April 29, 2026
Caller claims to be from the IRS and threatens arrest unless you pay overdue taxes immediately, often with gift cards.
🚩 Red flags
- Threats of arrest or deportation
- Demands payment by gift card or wire
- Refuses to send anything in writing
✅ What to do
- Hang up
- The IRS contacts you by mail first, not by phone
- Report to TIGTA at tigta.gov
Source: IRS.gov·✅ Reviewed by Jeffrey Bernard
"Lower your credit card rate" robocalls
Credit card scams · Posted April 25, 2026
A recorded voice offers to lower your interest rate. Pressing 1 connects you to a scammer who asks for your card number and SSN.
🚩 Red flags
- Recorded message offering a deal
- Asks for full card number and SSN
- Won't say what company they are with
✅ What to do
- Hang up
- Call your card issuer using the number on the back of your card
- Report robocalls at donotcall.gov
Source: FTC·✅ Reviewed by Jeffrey Bernard
Identity theft from data breach reuse
Identity theft · Posted April 20, 2026
Scammers use leaked passwords from old data breaches to open new accounts or take over your email.
🚩 Red flags
- Login alerts you didn't make
- New accounts on your credit report
- Bills for things you didn't buy
✅ What to do
- Freeze your credit at all three bureaus (free)
- Change reused passwords
- Report at identitytheft.gov
Source: FTC IdentityTheft.gov·✅ Reviewed by Jeffrey Bernard