Key takeaways
- Almost every scam combines urgency, an unusual payment method and a request for codes or personal data.
- Never share a one-time code received by SMS: no bank, courier or platform will ever ask for it.
- Verify through a channel you choose: call back the official number, not the one in the message.
- If you’ve paid, act fast: call your bank, keep the evidence and report it.
Online scams have become more convincing: perfect logos, real names, AI-written messages. But the scripts behind them have hardly changed. Once you recognise the patterns, most scams become obvious. Here are the ten you are most likely to meet, wherever you live.
1. The fake parcel delivery
An SMS says your parcel is waiting and asks you to pay a small fee or confirm your address through a link. The site steals your card details. Couriers rarely ask for payment by SMS; check on the official site or app by typing the address yourself. More in /blog/phishing-sms-how-to-recognise-fake-texts/.
2. The fake seller or buyer
On marketplaces, a seller asks for payment in advance by bank transfer and disappears, or a “buyer” sends a fake payment confirmation and asks you to click a link to “receive” the money. See /blog/online-marketplace-scams-buyer-and-seller/.
3. The “Hi Mum, new number” message
Someone claims to be your child or a relative on a new number and urgently needs money. Call the person on their usual number before sending anything.
4. The fake bank adviser
A caller from “your bank’s fraud department” says your account is under attack and asks you to read a code or move money to a “safe account”. Banks never ask for that. Hang up and call the number on your card.
5. Investment and crypto schemes
Guaranteed returns, celebrity endorsements, a friendly “coach” on social media. Small early profits are shown to make you invest more; withdrawals become impossible.
6. Fake job offers
Easy money for liking videos or reviewing products, or a job that requires paying for training or equipment first. A real employer doesn’t ask you to pay to work.
7. Romance scams
A perfect online partner who can never video call, then needs money for a ticket, a medical bill or customs fees. These scams can last months and cost life savings.
8. Sextortion
Someone threatens to share intimate images or videos unless you pay. Don’t pay, keep the evidence and report it. Our guide /blog/sextortion-what-to-do/ explains what to do.
9. Account takeover through codes
A friend’s hacked account asks you to forward a code “sent by mistake”. That code is actually for your own WhatsApp or social account. Never forward a verification code.
10. Fake support and refunds
Pop-ups claiming your computer is infected, or calls offering a refund that needs remote access to your computer. Never install remote-control software at a stranger’s request.
The common thread: urgency, secrecy, unusual payment (gift cards, crypto, transfers to a private person) and requests for codes. Any one of these is a reason to stop.
If you’ve been scammed
- Call your bank immediately to block cards and try to stop or recall payments.
- Change passwords and log out other devices on compromised accounts.
- Keep everything: screenshots, phone numbers, profiles, transaction references.
- Report it to the police and your country’s fraud reporting service: see /blog/how-to-report-an-online-scam/.
Chameleon AI lets you save screenshots and a description of the scam as an incident, fingerprinted and encrypted on your device, then builds a clear report and the next steps for your country.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get my money back after a scam?
Sometimes. Card payments can often be disputed with your bank, and some instant transfers can be recalled if you act very fast. Payments in crypto or gift cards are rarely recoverable. Always contact your bank first.
Is it worth reporting if I didn’t lose money?
Yes. Reports help authorities and platforms block numbers, sites and accounts, and protect the next person.
Why do scammers ask for gift cards or crypto?
Because those payments are fast, hard to trace and almost impossible to reverse. A legitimate business or authority won’t ask you to pay that way.
General information to help you get organised, not legal advice. Procedures and numbers can change: confirm them with the office concerned, and in danger call your local emergency number first.
