These 13 online scams could secretly ruin your life. Here’s how to protect yourself.

Being online all the time has made it easier for criminals to take advantage of people. In 2021, the Federal Trade Commission reported that consumers lost over $5.8 billion to scammers. These scams come in so many forms it would take a whole library to list them all.

While older people are often targeted, young people aren’t safe either. In fact, those under 20 had the biggest jump in fraud reports from 2019 to 2020. Rich people get scammed. Smart people get scammed. Anyone can become a victim.

Here are some common online scams to watch out for—and tips on how to avoid them.

Bogus tech support scams

There are lots of funny YouTube videos of people messing with scammers who run fake virus scams, but these scams aren’t funny for real victims. Here’s how they work:

A person who doesn’t know much about computers sees a pop-up warning about a virus. The pop-up shows a phone number for “tech support.” When they call, they talk to a scammer who tricks them into allowing access to their computer for a “virus scan.”

After that, the scam can go in different directions. The scammer might ask for money to “fix” the computer. Or they might use simple tricks to make it look like they accidentally sent money to the victim’s bank account and then ask for it back. In the end, the scammer always says, “Send me gift cards.”

How to spot and avoid this scam: These scams often target older adults who don’t know much about computers. Warn your parents, aunts, and uncles not to call numbers they see in pop-ups like this.

NFT and cryptocurrency scams

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Fake investment scams have been around forever, but today’s unregulated online markets make it even easier for criminals. These markets are perfect for scammers because the money is hard to track. In 2021, scammers stole $14 billion through cryptocurrency and NFT scams.

Scammers use advanced technology to trick people and get paid, but most crypto scams work like old-fashioned money scams. They often involve fake investments or phishing tricks to steal your information.

How to spot and avoid this scam:

  • Be very careful and suspicious of offers that seem too good to be true.
  • Do your research before investing.
  • Never invest in something you don’t understand.
  • Keep your wallet secure.
  • Double-check all website links (URLs) to make sure they are real.

Remember, there is no safety net with cryptocurrency scams.

Law enforcement scams

Scammers pretending to be authority figures is nothing new. Whether it’s a call on your phone or an email, the trick works for the same reason: it’s scary when someone claims to be from the police or the IRS. Hearing an angry voice say you’re involved in a crime can be so frightening that it makes some people stop thinking clearly. The fear of legal trouble or going to jail can make them do things like sending gift cards to fix the problem (it’s almost always gift cards).

How to spot and avoid this scam: If you actually commit a crime, the police won’t call your cell phone—they’ll come and arrest you. And they won’t ask you to pay them to avoid being arrested. In general, don’t talk to the police unless you have to, and if you do, make sure your lawyer is with you.

‘Sextortion’ scams

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This scam mostly targets men who are looking for attention online. The scammer pretends to be a woman and starts chatting with the victim.

After gaining trust, “she” asks for a nude photo. Once the scammer gets the photo, the fun is over, and the threats begin. The scammer sends a message like, “I’ll send this photo to everyone in your contact list if you don’t pay me money.” Embarrassed and scared, the victim often does what the scammer asks.

Another version of the scam involves the scammer sending nude photos first and then sending a message from someone pretending to be the woman’s “father.” The message might say something like, “My daughter is only 15, and if you don’t pay me, I’ll report you to the police for having illegal photos.”

How to spot and avoid this scam: One simple rule is this: don’t take or send pictures you wouldn’t want shared with others. If you do send a compromising photo to a scammer, don’t panic. Most scammers won’t actually send your picture to anyone. It takes too much time, and once they send it, they lose their power over you. Instead of giving in, block the scammer, report them, and move on.

The ‘Nigerian Prince’ scam

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It’s hard to believe, but people are still falling for “Nigerian Prince” scam emails. This scam got its name from emails that became popular in the 1980s, but it’s much older. In fact, it started during the French Revolution as the “Spanish Prisoner Scam.”

No matter what it’s called or how it’s done, the trick is always the same: A scammer claims they have a lot of money stuck somewhere. They say if you send them a small amount of money to help release it, they’ll share the fortune with you later.

How to spot and avoid this scam: Delete emails from people you don’t know. And remember: if a foreign prince really has $35 million in gold, he doesn’t need a random stranger’s help to get it.

Online dating scams

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Romance scams are simple but dangerous: A scammer convinces someone on a dating app like Tinder or Hinge that they are in love with them, then asks for money. The results can be worse than anything you’ve seen in The Tinder Swindler. Some victims lose much more than just money.

Take the story of Australian grandmother Maria Elvira Pinto Exposto. She met a man online who called himself “Captain Daniel Smith.” He first convinced her to send him all her money. Then, he tricked her into carrying a backpack filled with meth through customs in Kuala Lumpur.

Maria was caught, found guilty, and sentenced to death in a Malaysian court. Thankfully, her appeal was successful, and she avoided execution, but she still spent years in prison. On the bright side, some romance scammers do get caught!

How to spot this scam: Be careful if an online match is secretive about their life, says “I love you” too quickly, or refuses to meet in person. The biggest warning sign? If they ask for money. Never send money to someone you meet on a dating app.

Google Voice verification scams

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I recently tried to sell a futon on Craigslist, but I got more scam messages than real buyers. Every scammer used the same trick: They texted, “I’d like to buy your futon, but I need to make sure you’re not a scammer. I’ll send you a verification code—please reply with it.”

After that, I’d get a Google Voice verification message on my phone. If I had shared the code, the scammers could have set up a Google Voice number linked to my phone. They would then use that number to scam others without revealing their identity. (And no, they wouldn’t have bought my futon.)

How to spot and avoid this scam: Verification codes from Google are only meant to verify you requested something, like a new phone number. You should never share them with anyone else. If a scammer already claimed your linked Google number, you can follow Google’s steps to get it back.

Digital kidnapping

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“Digital kidnapping” is a creepy practice online. Some people take photos of other people’s kids from social media and use them to pretend they are part of their own “family.” These groups role-play as parents or children, using the stolen pictures. They even post comments on the photos and set up “virtual adoptions.”

This is upsetting for parents whose children’s photos are stolen, but it could become even more dangerous. Len Edwards, director of the Commission of Missing and Exploited Children, explains, “People are creating fantasy adoptions and virtual fantasies. It might seem like a harmless obsession, but it could lead to real child abductions or even child pornography.”

How to spot and avoid this scam: If you post pictures of your kids on social media, make sure your privacy settings control who can see them.

Amazon scams

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Almost everyone uses Amazon, and scammers know it. They’ve created scams that use Amazon’s name to steal people’s money. According to the NY Post, Amazon scam emails have increased by 500% in the past year.

One of the most common scams involves fake emails. These emails look like receipts or shipping orders for things you didn’t buy. They tell you to “click this link to fix the problem or verify your account.” If you click, you’re taken to a fake Amazon page. There, you’re asked to enter your personal information, which the scammers use to steal from you.

How to spot and avoid this scam: Only go to Amazon’s website by typing the address into your browser. Never click on links in emails claiming to be from Amazon. Amazon will not email you asking for your password, and all their official email addresses end in “@amazon.com.”

Online lotteries and sweepstakes scams

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If you get an email, call, or text saying you’ve won the lottery, it’s a scam. Ignore it. If you follow their instructions to claim your “prize,” they’ll ask you to pay a fee (usually with gift cards) or share your personal information. But there’s no prize. Instead, you’ll end up spending months trying to get your identity back from the scammer.

How to spot and avoid this scam: If you didn’t enter a contest, you didn’t win a contest. And even if you did, no real lottery will ever ask you to send money to claim a prize.

Online shopping scams

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Online shopping scams are simple but effective. A scammer creates a fake online store, takes your money for products, and never sends them. On top of that, they may steal your credit card information. The internet makes it easy for scammers to stay anonymous, so they can keep doing this with little risk.

How to spot and avoid this scam: Stick to shopping on trusted websites. Avoid sites that seem suspicious or unfamiliar. Look for a website that starts with “https://” and has a lock icon next to it—this shows it’s secure. Always pay with PayPal or a credit card, as they offer some protection against fraud.

Current events scams

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Scammers are clever. They’ve even found ways to make money from the political anger dividing our nation. They use emotional topics to grab your attention, like fake COVID emails, messages from a “relative” stuck in Ukraine, a fundraiser for a border wall, or scams tied to Roe v. Wade. Once they convince you they share your views and passions, it becomes easy for them to scam you.

How to spot and avoid these scams: If you care deeply about politics, focus your energy on real action, like volunteering for a cause. If you decide to donate money, only give to well-known, verified organizations or political groups, like the ACLU.

Third-party car warranties

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Selling third-party warranties for used car repairs isn’t always illegal. It depends on your state and the warranty’s terms. However, the industry’s robocalls are so annoying and its sales tactics so shady that it feels like it should be illegal.

While there are rare times when buying third-party car repair insurance might make sense, it’s better to choose a trusted company instead of responding to random calls.

How to spot and avoid this: Register your number on the national Do Not Call list and use your phone’s tools to block spam calls. If robocalls still get through, just hang up right away.