Scam Trends
The scams most actively hitting people right now, per country — ranked by how many distinct reports (government alerts, news coverage, victim accounts) our daily monitoring archived in the last 30 days, and how recently each was last observed.
Updated daily · 402 tracked patterns · last refreshed 2026-11-07. Journalists and researchers: cite freely with a link to this page — or email us for detail on any pattern.
United States
- 1. A political donation link or "campaign match" text leads to a spoofed fundraising site — not the real campaign
phishing · 9 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 5
- 2. A caller posing as FTC staff says your phone number is being used for overseas fraud and will be shut off
government impersonation · 8 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 7
- 3. A "fund recovery" service contacts you after you were already scammed
other · 8 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 4
- 4. "Click this file link" message grants a stranger permanent access to your email — without your password
phishing · 7 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 7
- 5. "Medicare" calls about your new card and asks for your Medicare number
government impersonation · 5 reports in 30 days · last seen Oct 30
- 6. USPS or FedEx text says your package is held up and needs $2.99 to release
delivery · 4 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 7
- 7. A Microsoft technician says your accounts are hacked — then the FBI calls to move your money
tech support · 4 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 6
- 8. A caller says your Social Security number is suspended
government impersonation · 4 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 6
- 9. A "digital forensics" firm promises to catch your blackmailer — for $1,500–$20,000 — and delivers nothing
other · 4 reports in 30 days · last seen Oct 27
- 10. Sponsored search ads for Medicare and health insurance lead to identity-harvesting scam sites
government impersonation · 4 reports in 30 days · last seen Oct 21
India
- 1. Police or CBI on video call says you are under "digital arrest"
digital arrest · 14 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 7
- 2. WhatsApp group with a famous broker giving guaranteed stock tips
investment · 6 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 7
- 3. AI deepfake of Finance Minister on Facebook ads promises ₹70,000 a day — it is a scam
investment · 5 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 5
- 4. Someone offers you ₹1,500–₹5,000 to "rent" your bank account for a few days
job · 3 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 7
- 5. Caller says you have been approved for PM Awas Yojana or another government scheme — pay a fee to claim it
government impersonation · 3 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 4
- 6. Cloned Ajio, Tata Cliq, Myntra, Amazon site with 90% off Instagram ads
phishing · 3 reports in 30 days · last seen Oct 27
- 7. Diwali government cash or Amazon spin-the-wheel WhatsApp link — festive-season phishing
phishing · 2 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 5
- 8. WhatsApp "wedding invitation" is actually an APK that empties your bank account
phishing · 2 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 4
- 9. Fake part-time job on Telegram pays small amounts then demands growing deposits
job · 2 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 3
- 10. WhatsApp message says Rs 90,000 debited — reply YES or NO to confirm
phishing · 2 reports in 30 days · last seen Oct 30
United Kingdom
- 1. A cold caller says you are owed car finance compensation and asks for your bank details — the real scheme is free and your lender already has your details
government impersonation · 9 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 4
- 2. "Your bank account is compromised" — a fake police officer or fraud team asks you to withdraw cash for a courier
banking · 6 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 4
- 3. A text or email says you qualify for a Government energy rebate or cost-of-living payment — just enter your bank details
government impersonation · 5 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 7
- 4. A cold-caller or doorstep visitor claims to have spotted urgent damage to your roof or driveway — then takes a large deposit and disappears
other · 5 reports in 30 days · last seen Oct 26
- 5. Your bank calls saying "move your money to a safe account" — it is authorised push payment fraud
banking · 4 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 7
- 6. A text or email says your Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Disney+ payment failed — the link steals your card details
phishing · 4 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 4
- 7. A broker contacts you about an investment — their FCA number checks out, but they are a clone firm
investment · 4 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 1
- 8. A text or email says HMRC owes you a tax refund — click the link to claim
tax · 4 reports in 30 days · last seen Oct 24
- 9. A "fraud alert" call from Amazon turns into a scammer asking you to install AnyDesk
tech support · 3 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 4
- 10. A "file link" takes you to a real Google or Microsoft permissions screen — clicking Allow hands the attacker permanent access to your account
phishing · 3 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 4
Australia
- 1. A text says Australia Post could not deliver — pay a small fee to reschedule
delivery · 5 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 6
- 2. An AI-cloned voice of your child calls to say they need urgent PayID money for an emergency
other · 4 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 5
- 3. A social media ad for a deep-discount JB Hi-Fi or Harvey Norman clearance leads to a fake store — you pay and nothing arrives
marketplace · 4 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 5
- 4. A WhatsApp or email quotes your real Booking.com reservation details then steals your card
phishing · 4 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 3
- 5. A caller says you owe the ATO tax and police are coming unless you pay by gift card
government impersonation · 4 reports in 30 days · last seen Oct 31
- 6. A Qantas text says your Frequent Flyer points expire today — the link steals your login
phishing · 3 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 5
- 7. "Click this file link" message grants a stranger permanent access to your email — without your password
phishing · 3 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 3
- 8. A "money recovery" or ASIC officer calls after you've been scammed — with an upfront fee
other · 3 reports in 30 days · last seen Oct 29
- 9. "Your Vinted item sold — verify your bank account" message leads to a fake page that drains your account
marketplace · 2 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 5
- 10. A text or email says myGov, Medicare, or Centrelink needs urgent verification
government impersonation · 2 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 4
Canada
- 1. A caller claims to be your bank's fraud team — move your money to a "safe account" now
banking · 19 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 7
- 2. A text or email links to a fake Scotiabank, RBC, or TD login page that steals your banking credentials
phishing · 15 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 7
- 3. A social media ad or message leads to an investment platform with fake OSC registration — your money cannot be withdrawn
investment · 8 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 7
- 4. Someone offers to help you recover money you lost to a previous scam — for a fee
investment · 6 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 4
- 5. A mailed letter with RCMP letterhead accuses you of child exploitation and demands a fine within 24 hours — it is fake
other · 6 reports in 30 days · last seen Oct 31
- 6. A Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji buyer pays in cash and the bills turn out to be counterfeit
marketplace · 6 reports in 30 days · last seen Oct 28
- 7. A call, text, or email claims to be from Canada Border Services — pay customs fees now or face deportation
government impersonation · 5 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 4
- 8. "Click this file link" lets a stranger read all your email — without stealing your password
phishing · 4 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 4
- 9. A website offering GIC rates from a real Canadian bank is fake — your wire transfer goes to scammers
investment · 4 reports in 30 days · last seen Oct 25
- 10. A caller says your Social Insurance Number has been suspended — verify your identity now
government impersonation · 3 reports in 30 days · last seen Nov 7
New patterns this month
- ＋ A Facebook, TikTok, or Instagram seller takes your bank transfer for a discounted item and vanishes
United Kingdom · first seen Nov 5
- ＋ Diwali government cash or Amazon spin-the-wheel WhatsApp link — festive-season phishing
India · first seen Oct 29
- ＋ A paid Google ad mimics the official State Department passport page and charges far more than the real fee
United States · first seen Oct 22
- ＋ A caller posing as FTC staff says your phone number is being used for overseas fraud and will be shut off
United States · first seen Oct 22
- ＋ A "digital forensics" firm promises to catch your blackmailer — for $1,500–$20,000 — and delivers nothing
United States · first seen Oct 13