Free, independent scam lookup
Got a strange call, text, email or website? Search it against scam reports before you reply, click, or pay.
Reported losses only; real totals are higher.
How it works
Three steps to stay a step ahead of scammers.
Step 1
Search a phone number, website, email, social media handle or keyword before you reply, click or pay. See whether others have reported it, how it played out for them, and the warning signs to watch for.
Step 2 · About 3 minutes
Got targeted? Tell us what happened and add the phone number, website, email or handle involved. It takes about three minutes, our team reviews every report before it is published, and it helps warn the next person.
Start a reportStep 3
Our plain-English stories and in-depth investigations explain how current scams work and the red flags to look for. Learn what to do if you were targeted and where to report it, from your bank to the FTC.
Latest reports
Botswana's regulator NBFIRA said in a public notice dated 4 September 2026 that Prestige Wealth Investments (Pty) Ltd is not licensed or authorised to conduct regulated financial services or to solicit, receive or manage public funds in Botswana.
Jesse Singh's blog reported on 31 October 2026 that Polar Tensor, an AI-trading crypto platform, disabled withdrawals after a fall in reported returns and web traffic. The blog calls it an alleged Ponzi scheme; no court has made such a finding.
@Malwarehunterr reported on 31 October 2026 that “AEGIS VPN” at vpnaegis2.site collects phone numbers, card details with CVC and verification answers and forwards them to Telegram. The report comes from one X post.
@Malwarehunterr reported on 31 October 2026 that gwkinvestmicrosoftteams.com imitates a Teams update, pushes an EXE download and pings Telegram when people visit. Microsoft is not involved; the report is from one X post.
FIJ reported on 31 October 2026 that fake texts pretending to be from UBA tell Nigerians to “verify” within 24 hours at ubagroupid.com, a lookalike of UBA's real site created in October 2026. UBA is not involved.
The ED says it has provisionally attached Rs 427.16 crore in assets in an alleged Rs 2,459-crore Ponzi scheme in Belagavi, Karnataka, that allegedly cheated over 35,000 investors. The accused are alleged, not convicted; the investigation continues.
Know the types
Fake texts, emails or websites built to steal logins, card numbers or personal data.
Someone builds an online relationship, then invents emergencies that need your money.
Fake trading platforms, 'guaranteed' returns and Ponzi schemes that pay early investors with newer investors' money until withdrawals are blocked.
Pop-ups or calls claiming your device is infected, then asking for remote access or payment.
Fake buyers, sellers and overpayments on classifieds and marketplace sites.
Callers or messages pretending to be a company, employer, celebrity or someone you know.
Too-good-to-be-true job offers, 'task' apps and fake checks: you deposit a check, send part of it back, and the check bounces.
Callers posing as the IRS, Social Security, police or federal agents who threaten arrest unless you pay or 'protect' your money.
You're told to turn savings into cash or gold and hand it to a 'courier' or 'agent' who comes to your door.
A panicked call or text from a 'grandchild' or relative in jail, hospital or trouble who needs money fast and secretly.
You've 'won' a prize or lottery you never entered, but must pay fees or taxes first to collect it.
Appeals for disaster relief, veterans or sick children that send donations to scammers instead of a real charity.
Listings for homes that aren't for rent (or don't exist) that ask for a deposit before you can see the place.
Promises of an inheritance, loan, grant or business windfall that first require you to pay 'fees' up front.
Threatening calls about a debt you don't owe (or already paid), demanding immediate payment to avoid arrest or lawsuits.
Texts about an unpaid toll or a parcel that can't be delivered, linking to a fake payment page.
Fake fraud alerts from your 'bank' that trick you into sharing codes or moving money to a 'safe' account.
Any 'official' who asks you to pay with gift cards and read out the numbers. Real agencies and companies never do.
Threats to share intimate images or 'recordings' with your contacts unless you pay, often after a fake online flirtation.
Cloned voices or deepfake videos of family, executives or celebrities used to request money or promote fake investments.
Shop websites and social-media ads with unreal discounts that take your payment and ship nothing or counterfeits.
Fake or duplicated tickets for concerts, sports and shows, usually sold through social media or resale posts.
'Free' trips, fake booking sites and vacation rentals that don't exist, or timeshare resale promises.
Offers of loan forgiveness or government grants that charge fees or ask for your login and personal details.
Calls or visits claiming your power, gas or water will be cut off within the hour unless you pay right now.
Puppies and kittens advertised online that never arrive, with endless 'shipping', crate or vet fees.
Fake insurance plans, Medicare 'benefit' calls and offers of free medical equipment or tests in exchange for your details.
Schemes that lie about an investment's returns, risks or use of your money, including Ponzi and pyramid structures.
Fake, altered or stolen trading cards, autographs, coins and other collectibles, and fraudulent grading or authentication.
Contractors who take deposits for roofing, paving, remodeling or storm repairs and then do little or no work.
Stolen, forged or altered checks and stolen credit or debit card numbers used to buy goods or drain accounts.
Fake brand-name products, medicines and other goods sold as genuine.
Franchises, multi-level marketing and 'turnkey' businesses sold with false earnings or support claims.
Scams that target older adults. Used when no more specific scam-type category fits.
People recruited, often unknowingly, to receive and move stolen money, or networks that launder scam proceeds.
Offers to recover money you already lost, or 'refunds' that require you to pay or send money back first.
Hackers who lock or steal data and demand payment, and schemes that exploit ransomware victims.
Fake recruiters and job offers used to collect fees, personal data or bank details from job seekers.
Checks and mail stolen from mailboxes or the postal system, then altered, cashed or sold.
Hidden fees, bait-and-switch pricing and other deceptive practices at car dealers and auto sellers.
Fake IRS contacts, fraudulent tax returns and tax-preparer schemes.
Billing Medicare, Medicaid or other benefit programs for services or tests never needed or provided.
Scams run through social media ads, posts and WhatsApp or Telegram 'investment club' groups.
Shares in private companies or upcoming IPOs sold with false claims, hidden markups or no real shares behind them.
Schemes that target members of a religious, ethnic, professional or community group by exploiting trust within it.
Timeshare resale and exit offers that charge up-front fees and deliver nothing.
Using someone else's personal information to open accounts, file claims or take out loans.
Movers and home-service companies that hold belongings hostage, inflate prices or never show up.
Notices of a prize, reward or gift you supposedly won that require a payment or personal details to claim.
Investigations & guides
Seung 'Kevin' Lee of Pinnacle Capital got 33 months for HELOC applications with fake pay stubs and tax returns that put banks at risk of $80M+ in losses.
· 4 min read
Operation Ghostbusters charges allege stolen IDs were used to enroll 'ghost students' and send federal student aid to Kenya. All are presumed innocent.
· 5 min read
Michigan's attorney general alleges MV Realty paid homeowners $300 to $500 for deals that put 40-year liens on their homes and worked as usurious loans.
· 5 min read
Why trust us
We're on the side of the people scammers target. Lookups are free, reports are clearly labelled, and we point you to the official agencies that can act on fraud.
No paywall to look up a number or read a guide.
Every new report is checked by our team before it is published.
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We link you to the FTC, FBI IC3 and other agencies that investigate.
It takes about three minutes. Every report makes the next lookup more useful.