If your significant other that you met online claims they can't visit due to work and you're concerned it might be a scam, it's important to evaluate the situation carefully. Scammers often use excuses like work commitments or emergencies to avoid meeting in person, especially in online relationships. Also, be cautious if they request money to help with travel expenses. Here are some tips to stay cautious:

• Verify their identity: Ask for video calls or other ways to confirm they are who they say they are.

• Watch for red flags: If they ask for money or make excuses to avoid meeting, it could be a scam.

• Untraceable payment methods: They often demand payment via wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, which are difficult to trace.

• Trust your instincts: If something feels off, it’s worth investigating further.

Scams involving toll road texts are a common phishing tactic designed to steal personal and financial information. Here's how they typically work:

• Fake unpaid toll notifications: Scammers send texts claiming you owe money for unpaid tolls, often including a link to a fake payment portal.

• Urgency and threats: Messages may warn of legal action, additional fees, or suspension of driving privileges if payment isn't made immediately.

• Phishing websites: The links lead to websites that mimic legitimate toll agencies, aiming to collect sensitive data like credit card details or driver's license numbers.

To protect yourself:

• Don't click on links: Avoid interacting with unsolicited messages. Instead, visit the toll agency's official website directly to verify any claims.

• Know the practices: Toll payment will never be initiated or requested via email, text, or social media.

• Verify the message: Contact the toll agency using official contact information, not the details provided in the text.

Payments made through money-sending apps should be treated with the same caution as cash transactions. Once the money is sent, it is often irreversible, and there may be limited or no recourse if the recipient is untrustworthy or if the transaction is fraudulent. Always verify the recipient's identity and ensure the legitimacy of the transaction before proceeding. Use these apps only with trusted individuals or businesses to minimize risks.

When dealing with Bitcoin payments, it's wise to exercise caution, as cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible and often targeted by scammers. Here are some tips to stay safe:

• Verify the recipient: Double-check the identity of the person or organization you're sending Bitcoin to.

• Beware of urgency: Scammers often create a sense of urgency to pressure you into making quick decisions.

• Avoid unsolicited requests: Be cautious of unexpected messages or calls asking for Bitcoin payments.

• Research thoroughly: If you're paying for goods or services, ensure the platform or seller is reputable.

Scams involving "free products" where you only pay for shipping or complete a survey are quite common. Here's how they typically work:

• Hidden costs: The shipping fee might be inflated to cover the cost of the product, or you may unknowingly subscribe to a recurring charge.

• Low-quality items: The "free" product might be of poor quality or not as advertised.

• Data harvesting: Scammers may use these offers to collect your personal and payment information for fraudulent purposes.

To protect yourself:

• Research the seller: Check reviews and ensure the website is reputable.

• Be skeptical of deals: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

• Avoid sharing sensitive information: Be cautious about providing payment details unless you're confident in the seller's legitimacy.

Gift card scams are a common tactic used by fraudsters to steal money. These scams often involve convincing victims to purchase gift cards and share the card details, such as the PIN or serial number, under false pretenses. Here are some examples of how these scams work:

• Impersonation: Scammers may pose as government officials, tech support agents, or even family members in distress, claiming urgent payment is needed.

• Fake prizes: Victims are told they've won a prize but need to pay fees using gift cards to claim it.

• Forms of Payment: Fraudsters may request payment is easiest with gift card purchase then request the numbers on the back of the card to drain funds directly.

To protect yourself:

• Never use gift cards to pay fines, bills, or fees—legitimate organizations don't request this.

• Be cautious of unsolicited calls, emails, or messages asking for gift card payments.

Scams involving sending money to someone you've never met are often referred to as romance scams or money mule scams. These scams typically exploit emotional connections to manipulate victims into transferring money. Here are some key points to watch out for:

• Emotional manipulation: Scammers often build trust and affection over time, claiming to be in love or in need of help.

• Excuses for not meeting: They may say they're overseas for work, in the military, or dealing with emergencies that prevent them from meeting in person.

• Requests for money: Common reasons include medical emergencies, travel expenses, or legal fees. They may ask for payment via untraceable methods like gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.

• Untraceable payment methods: They often demand payment via wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, which are difficult to trace.

To protect yourself:

• Verify their identity: Use video calls or reverse image searches to confirm their claims.

• Avoid sending money: Never send money to someone you haven't met in person, no matter how convincing their story is.

Scams involving requests to pay for updating shipping charges or address details are common phishing tactics. Here's how they typically work:

• Fake notifications: Scammers send emails, texts, or calls claiming to be from delivery services like USPS, FedEx, or UPS. They state that your package can't be delivered due to incomplete address information.

• Urgent action required: The message often includes a link to "update your address" or "pay a small fee" to release the package. These links lead to fake websites designed to steal your personal and financial information.

• Malware risk: Clicking on these links can also install malware on your device, compromising your data.

To protect yourself:

• Verify the source: Contact the delivery service directly using their official website or customer service number.

• Avoid clicking links: Never click on links in unsolicited messages. Instead, manually type the official website URL into your browser.

• Be cautious of payment requests: Legitimate delivery services rarely ask for additional fees after a package has been shipped.

When considering down payments or large purchases via social media, it's essential to stay cautious to avoid potential scams. Here are some tips:

• Verify the seller's legitimacy: Research the seller thoroughly by checking reviews, profiles, and activity history.

• Avoid upfront payments: Be wary of requests for full payment before receiving the product or service.

• Payments made through money-sending apps should be treated with the same caution as cash transactions. Once the money is sent, it is often irreversible, and there may be limited or no recourse if the recipient is untrustworthy or if the transaction is fraudulent. Always verify the recipient's identity and ensure the legitimacy of the transaction before proceeding. Use these apps only with trusted individuals or businesses to minimize risks.

• Meet in person if feasible: For local transactions, arrange to inspect the item in a public, safe location before making any payment.

• Trust your instincts: If something feels off or too good to be true, proceed with caution.

Scams involving a significant other claiming to be in a foreign country for work often exploit emotional connections to deceive victims. Here are some common tactics and red flags:

• Excuses for financial help: They may claim to face emergencies like medical bills, legal issues, or travel expenses and ask for money.

• Limited communication: Scammers often avoid video calls or in-person meetings, citing work restrictions or poor internet connectivity.

• Untraceable payment methods: They often demand payment via wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, which are difficult to trace.

• Unverified identity: They may provide vague details about their job or location, making it difficult to confirm their story.

To protect yourself:

• Verify their claims: Ask for specific details about their job and location, and check if they align with reality.

• Avoid sending money: Be cautious if they request financial assistance, especially if you've never met them in person.

• Trust your instincts: If something feels off, investigate further or seek advice from trusted friends or family.

Checks are an extremely common method of fraud. Unexpected checks in the mail or checks from someone you have never met are usually not legitimate, especially if they want you to cash it and send money back to them.

Your financial institution can tell you if a hold should be placed on the check for your safety. If a fraudulent check is deposited in your account, you are liable for the repayment of those funds.

Scams about paying back taxes often involve fraudsters impersonating the IRS or other tax authorities to intimidate victims into making payments. Here's how these scams typically work:

• Threatening messages: Scammers may send emails, texts, or voicemails claiming you owe back taxes and must pay immediately to avoid legal action, arrest, or wage garnishment.

• Urgency and fear tactics: They create a sense of urgency, pressuring you to act quickly without verifying the claim.

• Untraceable payment methods: They often demand payment via wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, which are difficult to trace.

To protect yourself:

• Know the IRS's practices: The IRS will never initiate contact via email, text, or social media. They also won't demand immediate payment without first sending a written notice.

• Verify the claim: If you're unsure, contact the IRS directly through their official website or phone number.

• Avoid sharing personal information: Be cautious about providing sensitive details over the phone or online.

When it comes to scams involving payment before work, caution is key. Scammers often promise high earnings for minimal effort, but they may ask for upfront fees for training, materials, or certifications. These are red flags. Legitimate employers typically don't require payment before you start working.

To protect yourself:

• Research the company: Look for reviews and verify their legitimacy.

• Avoid upfront payments: If asked to pay for anything before starting, it's likely a scam.

• Check for unrealistic promises: Offers of high pay for little work are often too good to be true.

A work-from-home job where you get paid to click often involves performing simple tasks like clicking on ads, watching videos, or completing surveys. These jobs are typically offered by platforms known as Paid-to-Click (PTC) sites or micro-tasking websites. While they can be a way to earn some extra cash, the pay is usually quite low, and it's important to be cautious of scams.

When someone tells you not to inform anyone, especially your financial institution, about what you're doing, it's a significant red flag. Scammers use this tactic to isolate you and prevent you from seeking advice or verifying their claims. Here are some warning signs to watch for:

• Secrecy demands: They insist you keep the transaction or activity private, claiming it’s for your own benefit or to avoid complications.

• Financial Institution Involved: They might claim your financial institution is involved and advise you not to discuss the situation with them.

• Pressure to act quickly: They create a sense of urgency, making you feel that immediate action is necessary without consulting others.

• Untraceable payment methods: They may ask for payments via wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, which are difficult to recover.

• Emotional manipulation: They might use guilt, fear, or affection to discourage you from seeking advice or questioning their motives.

To protect yourself:

• Consult your financial institution: If you're unsure about a situation, speak directly with your bank or financial advisor.

• Verify independently: Contact the organization or authority the person claims to represent using official contact information.

• Trust your instincts: If something feels off, take a step back and seek advice from trusted sources.

Clicking on links in texts, emails, or social media can expose you to scams, phishing attempts, or malware. Here are precautions and red flags to keep in mind:

• Verify the sender or source: Ensure the message or link comes from a trusted, verified account or organization.

• Avoid urgency traps or threats: Scammers often use pressure tactics, like claiming limited-time offers and prizes or account suspension, to make you act quickly.

• Check the URL: Hover over links to see the actual URL. Be cautious of shortened or suspicious URLs that look unfamiliar.

• Watch for suspicious accounts: Links shared by accounts with few followers, generic profiles, or low activity and posts may not be trustworthy.

• Beware of personal info requests: Avoid links that ask for sensitive details like passwords, credit card numbers, or personal data.

To stay safe, navigate to official websites manually rather than clicking on links, and use security tools like browser extensions or antivirus software to detect malicious sites. Always double-check before interacting with any links or offers.

Government agencies typically communicate through official mail and will not call, email, or text you to request personal information or payments. Scammers often impersonate agencies like the IRS or Social Security Administration to steal sensitive information or money. Here are some key points to remember:

• Official communication: Legitimate government agencies send documents via mail and will not initiate contact through phone calls or messages asking for money or personal details.

• Caller ID spoofing: Scammers may fake caller IDs to make it appear as though the call is from a government agency. Don't trust the caller ID alone.

• Threats or urgency: Be wary of calls or messages that threaten legal action or demand immediate payment. These are common scam tactics.

To protect yourself:

• Verify independently: If you receive a suspicious call or message, contact the agency directly using official contact information.

Calls from someone claiming to be the police about a loved one can be emotionally manipulative and are often used in scams. Here are some red flags to watch for:

• Urgency and fear tactics: Scammers may claim your loved one is in trouble and needs immediate help, pressuring you to act quickly.

• Requests for money: They might ask for bail money, legal fees, or other payments, often through untraceable methods like wire transfers or gift cards.

• Spoofed caller ID: The call may appear to come from a legitimate police department, but the number has been faked.

• Limited details: Scammers often provide vague or inconsistent information about the situation.

To protect yourself:

• Verify the claim: Contact your loved one directly or call the police department using their official number to confirm the situation.

• Avoid sharing personal information: Don't provide sensitive details like your address or financial information over the phone.

When updating agreements or settings for accounts directly through phone settings or websites, it's important to watch for red flags that could indicate potential scams or security risks. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• Unsolicited prompts: Be cautious of unexpected messages or pop-ups asking you to update agreements or settings. These could be phishing attempts.

• Suspicious links: Avoid clicking on links in emails or texts that claim to direct you to account settings. Instead, navigate to the official website or app manually.

• Requests for sensitive information: Legitimate updates should not require you to provide personal details like passwords or Social Security numbers.

• Urgency or threats: Scammers may use fear tactics, such as claiming your account will be suspended if you don't act immediately.

• Unfamiliar websites: Ensure the website URL matches the official domain of the service provider.

Always verify who you are sending money to by using the app’s method of user names, profile photos or phone numbers.

Payments made through money-sending apps should be treated with the same caution as cash transactions. Once the money is sent, it is often irreversible, and there may be limited or no recourse if the recipient is untrustworthy or if the transaction is fraudulent. Always verify the recipient's identity and ensure the legitimacy of the transaction before proceeding. Use these apps only with trusted individuals or businesses to minimize risks.

When receiving mail, especially from unknown senders or with unexpected content, it's important to be vigilant. Here are some red flags to watch for:

• Unknown sender: If you don't recognize the sender or their address, proceed with caution.

• Too good to be true: Offers of free products, prizes, or deals that seem overly generous are often scams.

• Suspicious packaging: Look for signs of tampering, poor-quality packaging, or mismatched labels.

• Requests for personal information: Be wary if the mail asks you to provide sensitive details like bank information or Social Security numbers.

• Urgency or threats: Scammers may use language that pressures you to act quickly, such as "limited-time offer" or "final notice."

To stay safe:

• Verify legitimacy: Contact the sender directly using official contact information if you're unsure.

• Avoid sharing information: Never provide personal or financial details unless you're certain of the sender's authenticity.

• Bring it to a trusted source: If you're unsure about the mail's legitimacy, consult with a trusted individual or organization, such as your local post office or a fraud prevention agency.

Urgency and constant communication can indeed be red flags, especially in scams or unhealthy interactions. Here's why:

• Urgency: Scammers often create a false sense of urgency to pressure you into making quick decisions without thinking. They might say things like "Act now or lose your chance" or "This offer expires in minutes."

• Constant communication: Overwhelming you with messages or calls can be a tactic to wear you down, prevent you from seeking advice, or make you feel obligated to respond.

To protect yourself:

• Take your time: Legitimate opportunities or requests will give you time to think and verify.

• Set boundaries: If someone is bombarding you with messages, it's okay to step back and evaluate the situation.

• Verify independently: If you're unsure, consult trusted sources or contact the organization directly using official channels.

It's always a smart move to call your financial institution directly to verify the legitimacy of a phone number or website. Scammers often impersonate banks or other institutions to steal sensitive information. Here are some tips to ensure you're contacting the right source:

• Use official contact information: Find the phone number or website on your financial institution's official website or on the back of your debit/credit card.

• Avoid unsolicited messages: Be cautious of emails, texts, or calls that provide contact details. Verify them independently.

• Ask questions: When you call, ask specific questions to confirm you're speaking with a legitimate representative.

Toll bills are typically mailed to you by legitimate toll agencies, and this is a safer way to ensure authenticity. Scammers often use text messages or emails claiming unpaid tolls to trick victims into clicking on malicious links or providing personal information. Here are some tips to avoid falling for such scams:

• Verify the source: If you receive a message about unpaid tolls, contact the toll agency directly using their official website or phone number.

• Avoid clicking links: Do not click on links in unsolicited messages. Instead, manually navigate to the toll agency's website.

• Check your mail: Legitimate toll agencies usually send bills via mail, not through text or email.