Scam guides

Scam guide · Updated October 21, 2026

Plain-English guides to the scam texts, emails and calls going around right now: what they look like, how to tell, and what to do.

• The Walmart text scam
  A text says it's from Walmart about a prize, a recall or a gift card. What Walmart says, the signs it's fake, and what to do.
• The wrong number text scam
  A stranger texts as if you're friends, or says it's the wrong number. What the FTC says, why replying is the mistake, and what to do.
• The Uber verification code text scam
  You get an Uber code you never asked for, then someone asks you to read it out. What Uber says, the signs it's fake, and what to do.
• The PayPal “account limited” text scam
  A text says your PayPal account is limited or a payment needs approving. What PayPal says about fake messages, the signs, and what to do.
• Instagram password reset you didn’t request: real or scam?
  A reset message you didn't ask for may not mean you were hacked, but it can be phishing. What Instagram says, how to tell, and what to do.
• The Apple Pay “unauthorized charge” text scam
  A text says there's a charge on your Apple Pay and to call a number to cancel it. What Apple says about it, the signs it's fake, and what to do.
• The FedEx and UPS “delivery problem” text scam
  A text says your FedEx or UPS package is stuck until you pay a fee or confirm your address. What FedEx and UPS say about it, the signs it's fake, and what to do.
• The Social Security “benefit increase” scam
  A text or call says you must apply, confirm your details or pay a fee to get your cost-of-living increase. SSA's Inspector General says the increase is automatic. How to spot the scam and what to do.
• Is that Apple text real? How to check an Apple Account message
  A text says your Apple Account is locked or you must verify something. What Apple says it does and doesn't ask for, and how to report a fake.
• How to spot a scam search ad
  The top search result can be a paid ad from a look-alike company that adds fees or sends you to a fake Medicare site. What the FTC says to look for, and what to do instead.
• The brushing scam: a package you never ordered
  An unexpected package with something cheap in it can be a brushing scam. The FTC warned about it in August 2026. Why scammers send them, the QR code trap, and what to do.
• The fake “FBI will recover your money” message
  After you lose money to a scam, someone says they're from the FBI's IC3 and can get it back. The FBI says IC3 never does this. Here's how the scheme works and what to do.
• The fake police “warrant for your arrest” call
  Someone claiming to be a deputy or federal agent says you'll be arrested unless you pay. The FBI counted more than $1.6 billion lost to these impersonation scams. Here's how to tell it's fake and what to do.
• The QR code parking scam
  A fake QR code stuck on a parking meter sends you to a payment page that steals your card. The FTC warned about it in September 2026. How to spot the sticker and pay safely.
• Is that Bank of America text real?
  A fraud alert or account text from “Bank of America”? How to check whether the bank really sent it, using Bank of America's own rules.
• The fake product recall text scam
  A text or email says something you bought was recalled and a link will get you a refund. Here's how to tell it's fake and how to check real recalls yourself.
• How to help a parent avoid phone scams
  Six practical steps: how to talk about it, three rules that cover most scams, a family code word, iPhone settings, and a plan if they already paid.
• The AI voice clone scam: “Mom, I'm in trouble”
  A call or voicemail sounds exactly like your grandchild or friend, and they need money now. Here's how voice-cloning scams work, the signs, and how to check in one phone call.
• The “your power will be shut off” text scam
  A text says your electric, gas or water service will be cut off within the hour unless you pay now. Here's how to tell it's fake and what to do if you already paid.
• Is that Chase text real?
  A fraud alert or account text from “Chase”? How to check whether Chase really sent it, using Chase's own rules.
• The job offer text scam
  A text offers easy remote work for great pay and asks you to reply YES. Here's how the task scam and fake check scam work, the signs it's fake, and what to do.
• How to check if a link is safe
  Five checks to run before you tap a link in a text, email or QR code, a free tool to look it up, and what to do if you already tapped.
• The Medicare open enrollment scam
  A call or text says your Medicare plan or card needs attention before open enrollment ends on December 7. Here's what Medicare really does, the signs it's fake, and what to do.
• The fake DMV “unpaid ticket” text
  A text says you owe a traffic fine and your license or registration will be suspended unless you pay through a link or QR code. Here's how to tell it's fake and what to do.
• Is that Amazon text real?
  A text about an order, a charge or your account? How to check whether Amazon really sent it, using Amazon's own rules.
• The “you missed jury duty” scam
  A call or text says you missed jury duty and must pay a fine to avoid arrest. The FBI warned about it in September 2026. Here's how to tell it's fake and what to do.
• How to report a scam text
  Where to send a scam text — 7726, the FTC, the FCC, the FBI and the company it pretends to be — and what to do first if you already clicked or paid.
• The USPS “package on hold” text scam
  Got a text saying USPS can't deliver your package or you owe a redelivery fee? Here's how the scam works, the signs it's fake, and exactly what to do.
• The unpaid toll text scam
  A text says you owe an unpaid toll and a late fee is coming. The FBI has warned about this scam. Here's how to spot it and what to do.
• The “Hi Mom, new number” scam
  A text from an unknown number says it's your child with a new phone, then asks for money. Here's how the family emergency scam works and how to check.

Comparing scam-checker apps

Several free and paid tools will read a suspicious message and tell you what they think. These pages compare them honestly, including where other apps are the better fit.

• Best apps to check if a text is a scam (2026)
  Norton Genie, Bitdefender Scamio, Malwarebytes Scam Guard, Trend Micro ScamCheck, ScamSensor and the free 7726 option, side by side.
• ScamSensor vs Truecaller
  Truecaller is built around calls (caller ID and spam-call blocking); ScamSensor checks the texts, emails and voicemails you share. What each does, what it costs and which fits you.
• ScamSensor vs Norton Genie
  What each checks, where it works, what it costs, and which one fits you.
• ScamSensor vs McAfee Scam Detector
  Automatic protection in a security suite, or a second opinion you ask for: what each checks, where it works and what it costs.
• ScamSensor vs Bitdefender Scamio
  A free chatbot in WhatsApp and Messenger, or a paid iPhone app: what each checks, where it works, and which fits you.
• ScamSensor vs Malwarebytes Scam Guard
  A free AI checker inside a security app that also filters calls and texts, or a paid iPhone app that only checks messages: what each does and which fits you.