🎣 Phishing Emails
Phishing emails impersonate legitimate companies to steal your login credentials, credit card numbers, or personal information.
From: security@bankofamerica-support.com
Subject: Security Alert: Unusual Login Detected
Dear Customer,
We detected a login to your account from an unrecognized device. If this was not you, your account may be compromised.
Click here immediately to verify your identity: https://bankofamerica-verify.com/login
If you do not verify within 24 hours, your account will be suspended.
Bank of America Security Team
- Suspicious domain (bankofamerica-support.com, not bankofamerica.com)
- Creates urgency with "24 hours" deadline
- Generic greeting "Dear Customer" instead of your name
- Link leads to fake site designed to steal credentials
- Threatens account suspension to force action
💻 Tech Support Scams
Tech support scams claim your computer is infected and demand payment for fake repairs or gain remote access to steal data.
From: Microsoft Security Team
Subject: CRITICAL: Your PC is infected with viruses!
WARNING! Your Windows computer has been infected with dangerous malware!
System Alert: Your personal files, passwords, and financial data are at risk!
To remove the viruses, call our certified technicians NOW:
TOLL-FREE: 1-800-XXX-XXXX
Do not restart your computer. The infection may spread.
You may need to provide remote access to complete the repair.
Microsoft Windows Security Center
- Microsoft does NOT send unsolicited virus warnings
- Uses fear to pressure immediate action
- Asks for remote access to your computer
- Suspicious sender domain (microsoft-windows.net)
- Asks you to call a phone number (Microsoft doesn't do this)
💔 Romance Scams
Romance scammers build fake relationships to eventually ask for money, often claiming emergencies or travel expenses.
From: john.miller.engineer@gmail.com
Subject: Thinking of you...
My Dearest [Your Name],
I know we haven't known each other long, but I feel such a strong connection with you. You are the most wonderful person I've ever met.
I want to come visit you so badly! There's just one problem - I'm currently working on an oil rig in Nigeria and my contract payment was delayed by 3 weeks.
Could you please loan me $3,000 for the plane ticket? I will pay you back as soon as I arrive, I promise.
I love you and can't wait to hold you in my arms.
Forever yours,
John
- Quick declarations of love ("I love you" too soon)
- Claims to be working overseas (military, oil rig, contractor)
- Money request for travel or emergency
- Promises to pay back (but never does)
- Uses personal email, not a dating platform
- Story creates urgency and emotional connection
🎁 Prize/Inheritance Scams
Prize scams claim you've won money or inherited wealth, but require fees to "release" your winnings.
From: UNITED NATIONS LOTTERY
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS - You Have Won $2,500,000 USD!
Dear Lucky Winner,
CONGRATULATIONS! Your email was randomly selected in our international lottery program. You have won the grand prize of $2,500,000.00 USD!
To claim your prize, you must pay a processing fee of $350 via Western Union to our claims agent in Nigeria.
This is 100% legitimate and guaranteed. Many winners have already received their prizes!
You must claim within 72 hours or your winnings will be forfeited.
Please provide:
- Full name
- Address
- Phone number
- Bank account details for transfer
United Nations Lottery Commission
- Prize for a lottery you never entered
- Requires upfront payment (processing fee, taxes, insurance)
- Payment via Western Union or gift cards
- Asks for bank account details
- Uses official-sounding organization names (UN doesn't run lotteries)
- Creates urgency with deadline
🏛️ IRS/Government Impersonation
Scammers impersonate government agencies, threatening legal action, arrest, or deportation to extort money.
From: Internal Revenue Service
Subject: FINAL NOTICE: Legal Action Pending - Case #IRS-2024-85723
FINAL NOTICE
This is an official notification from the Internal Revenue Service.
Our records indicate you owe $4,287.50 in back taxes. This amount is now overdue and subject to criminal prosecution.
FAILURE TO PAY WILL RESULT IN:
- Arrest warrant issued
- Property liens
- Bank account seizure
- Passport revocation
To resolve this matter, you must call 1-800-XXX-XXXX within 24 hours.
Payment must be made via iTunes gift cards or wire transfer.
If you do not pay, officers will arrive at your residence to arrest you.
IRS Criminal Investigation Division
- IRS never contacts taxpayers via email about debts
- Government agencies don't threaten arrest by email
- Payment in gift cards is ALWAYS a scam
- Real IRS uses official mail, not email
- Creates extreme fear to prevent critical thinking
- Fake case numbers sound official but are meaningless
👴 Grandparent Scams
Scammers pose as family members (often grandchildren) in trouble, urgently needing money.
From: [Your Grandchild's Name]
Subject: Emergency - Please Help
Hi Grandma/Grandpa,
I'm so embarrassed to ask this, but I'm in real trouble. I was arrested for DUI in [Another State/Country] and I need bail money right away.
Please don't tell Mom and Dad, they'll be so disappointed in me. I need $2,000 for bail and $500 for a lawyer.
Can you send it by Western Union? The police said I can't leave until the bail is paid.
I'll pay you back as soon as I get home, I promise.
Please don't call my phone, the police took it. Just reply to this email.
Love you,
[Grandchild's Name]
- Creates extreme urgency and secrecy ("don't tell anyone")
- Unusual contact method (email instead of phone)
- Money requested via wire transfer
- Excuse for why you can't verify (police took phone)
- Preys on family bonds and emotions
- Always verify by calling the actual person directly
📈 Investment Scams
Investment scams promise high returns with little or no risk, often involving cryptocurrency or "exclusive" opportunities.
From: Crypto Investment Group
Subject: Double Your Bitcoin in 7 Days - Guaranteed!
Dear Investor,
You have been selected for an EXCLUSIVE investment opportunity!
Our proprietary cryptocurrency trading algorithm generates 200% returns WEEKLY.
Current investors are making:
- $500 investment → $1,500 in one week
- $1,000 investment → $3,000 in one week
- $5,000 investment → $15,000 in one week
This is a GUARANTEED investment backed by our trading bot.
Limited spots available! Only 10 investors accepted this month.
Send Bitcoin to our secure wallet and watch your profits grow!
No risk, 100% guaranteed returns. You have nothing to lose!
Click here to secure your spot: https://crypto-guaranteed-profits.io
- Promises guaranteed returns (impossible in legitimate investing)
- Claims "no risk" (all investments have risk)
- Unrealistically high returns in short time
- Pressure with "limited spots" or deadlines
- Asks for cryptocurrency (harder to trace/recover)
- Uses professional-sounding but fake company names
💼 Job/Employment Scams
Job scams offer fake employment, often requiring payment for "equipment" or involving fake check schemes.
From: HR Department
Subject: You've Been Selected - Data Entry Position - $45/hour
Dear Applicant,
Congratulations! Your resume has been selected for a Data Entry position at TechCorp International.
Position: Remote Data Entry
Pay: $45/hour
Hours: Flexible, work from home
Start: Immediate
To get started, you will need to purchase our proprietary software package for $299. This will be fully reimbursed on your first paycheck.
Please provide:
- Full name and address
- Bank routing number for direct deposit
- Copy of your ID for HR records
Send payment via CashApp to $TechCorpHiring to receive your software download link.
We look forward to working with you!
TechCorp International HR Team
- Offers high pay for simple work (too good to be true)
- Requires upfront payment for "equipment" or "training"
- Asks for bank details before you're hired
- No interview or minimal vetting process
- Requests payment via CashApp/Venmo/Wire (untraceable)
- Legitimate employers don't charge you to work