Card skimmers are malicious card readers that illegally gather data from a credit or debit card’s magnetic stripe. They’re often attached to a real payment terminal and allow a scammer to steal personal financial and account information.

• Remember: Before using a card reader, thoroughly inspect it by wiggling the device, checking for tape or glue, looking for misaligned parts, and comparing it with nearby terminals.

This is a deceptive practice where scammers solicit donations for fake, non-existent, or misrepresented charitable causes to steal money. These scams often peak after natural disasters or during holidays, using high-pressure tactics, fake websites, or phishing to exploit donor empathy. Scammers frequently request untraceable payment methods like cash, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. 

• Remember: Be wary of unsolicited emails, calls, or messages asking for donations. If you receive such a request, always do your research before responding.

Counterfeit cashier’s check scams (also known as fake check scams) involve criminals issuing realistic but fake checks to victims for items, services, or prizes, then asking the recipient to wire back a portion of the funds before the bank discovers the forgery weeks later. 

• Remember: Verify the check by contacting the issuing bank directly using independently sourced contact information, not the number provided by the sender.

Credit repair scams are fraudulent services that charge illegal upfront fees to "fix" credit by promising to remove accurate, negative information or by using illegal tactics like creating new identities. Common red flags include guarantees of specific score increases and advising against direct contact with credit bureaus. 

• Remember: It’s important to note – no one can legally remove negative information from a credit report that is accurate.

Crypto scams are fraudulent schemes targeting digital asset holders, often involving promised high returns, fake investment platforms, or impersonation of authorities to steal funds and personal data. Crypto transactions are rarely reversible, making prevention crucial. 

• Remember: The government, law enforcement, or established companies will never demand payment in cryptocurrency.

This is an organized scam where criminals use stolen, fake, or fabricated identities to fraudulently enroll in college courses and apply for federal or state financial aid. Once the financial aid or grant money is disbursed, the scammers vanish with the funds thereby taking away class spots/funds from legitimate students.

• Remember: To protect your information from being used you should routinely freeze your credit, monitor your credit reports, and carefully track your academic and tax records.

Scammers may call, text, mail, or even email to demand payment of an overdue bill, fine, or other debt. The catch is that they want you to go buy gift cards to make the payments. Once you share the numerical information from the card(s) with the scammer, the money is gone, and you are not likely to get your money back.

• Remember: As the name implies, gift cards are for gift giving – not bill paying.

A grandparent scam (also classified as an Imposter Scam) is a type of fraud where criminals impersonate a grandchild (or another loved one) to trick older adults into urgently sending money. Scammers exploit the victim's love and panic by claiming the family member is in immediate danger, such as being in a car accident or arrested.

• Remember: Create a secret, unique password with family members that only you know. Ask the caller to provide this word before you believe their story.

These scammers pose as someone they are not, such as a family member, government institution, law enforcement officer, or financial institution, and utilize fear or other emotional tactics to coerce or manipulate victims into a financial scam.

• Remember: Scammers often tell you to keep the situation a secret. If you receive a high-stress call or message, talk to someone you trust before taking any action.

Jugging is where criminals watch banks, ATMs, or check-cashing stores to identify individuals withdrawing large amounts of cash. The perpetrators then follow victims to their next location—such as a parking lot, store, or home—to steal the money via vehicle break-ins or direct robbery.

• Remember: Be aware! Look around before, during, and after your transaction to identify any suspicious activity.

Lottery and sweepstakes scams happen when criminals trick you into believing you won a massive prize. They pressure you to pay upfront for fake "fees" or wire money from a bogus "advance" check before it bounces. They may also steal sensitive information like bank or Social Security numbers.

• Remember: Ignore any requests for money before claiming a prize and to verify claims directly through official, verifiable sources.

An overpayment scam occurs when a scammer sends a seller a fake check or payment for more than the agreed price of an item, then asks the seller to refund the difference. The victim sends real money back, only for the fake check to later bounce, causing them to lose both the item and the refunded cash. 

• Remember: Never wire, send, or refund money to a buyer who "accidentally" paid you too much.

Scammers "accidentally" send stolen funds to your payment app account (like Venmo, Cash App, or PayPal), then beg you to return the money. If you comply, the scammer vanishes. When the original victim reports the fraud, the app withdraws the stolen funds, draining your balance and leaving you with a negative account.

• Remember: Never send funds back directly to a stranger. Instead, report the accidental payment directly through the app. 

A pig butchering scam is a long-term investment and relationship fraud where scammers build deep emotional bonds with victims (the "fattening" process) before manipulating them into transferring funds into fraudulent cryptocurrency or investment platforms (the "slaughter").

• Remember: Be cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities offered via phone, message, email, social media, or in person.

Ponzi schemes take many forms, but they all depend upon a steady stream of investors who are promised regular, abnormally high rates of return. Without a steady stream of new investors, the Ponzi scheme becomes a “house of cards” that collapses under its own weight, with the scam artist long gone with investors’ money.

• Remember: There is no such thing as a guaranteed, high-return investment with zero risk.

Scammers place fake QR codes over legitimate ones (like at restaurants or parking meters) to direct you to malicious websites designed to steal login credentials or financial data. 

• Remember: Before scanning, be sure to inspect QR codes for sticker overlays or signs of tampering and always check the previewed URL on your phone's screen before opening it.

Scammers create a fake profile on a dating or social media website and initiate a romantic relationship with victims with the intention of stealing money from them through a fraudulent investment or asking for money to help with family emergencies, medical needs, or other life crisis.

• Remember: Never send money or gifts to anyone you have only met online or over the phone.