How to spot
a scam.
Free guides for every major scam type — the red flags, real examples, and what to do. Built by the team behind detection across 40+ scam categories with 94.5% accuracy.
Every scam follows
the same playbook.
Whether it's a phishing email or a months-long romance scam, the structure is identical. Learn it once, spot it everywhere.
A message, ad, or listing designed to trigger urgency, greed, or fear. It looks legitimate. That's the point.
You engage — click a link, reply to a DM, or answer a call. The scammer now has your attention and begins building trust.
The ask increases. What starts as "verify your account" becomes "wire $5,000" or "send your SSN." Each step feels small.
Money, credentials, or identity. Once sent, it's gone. Gift cards can't be reversed. Wires can't be recalled. Crypto is permanent.
suss. intercepts at stages 1-3 — before money or credentials leave your hands. The protection is ambient. You don't have to remember any of this.
Know what
you're facing.
Each guide covers how the scam works, what to watch for, and how suss. catches it automatically. Click any type for the full deep-dive.
Phishing emails & texts
Fake messages from banks, government, or companies you trust — designed to steal your login or personal info.
- Urgent language threatening account suspension
- Links to lookalike domains
- Asks you to "verify" info the company already has
Romance & pig-butchering
Fake relationships built over weeks or months. The emotional connection is the weapon — it ends with a request for money or crypto.
- Refuses video calls
- Relationship moves unusually fast
- Brings up crypto investing or needs money for an emergency
Government impersonation
Fake IRS, Social Security, or law enforcement calls demanding immediate payment via gift cards or crypto.
- Threatens arrest or benefit suspension
- Demands gift cards or wire transfer
- Tells you not to hang up or tell anyone
Marketplace & payment scams
Fake buyers and sellers on Facebook, eBay, and Craigslist using non-reversible payments to steal your money.
- Price 50%+ below market value
- Insists on Zelle, CashApp, or gift cards
- Wants to move off-platform
Job & task scams
Fake employment offers with unrealistic pay. The "job" is designed to steal your money or identity.
- Unrealistically high pay for easy work
- Interview is entirely over chat
- Asks you to pay for training or equipment
Tech support scams
Fake virus warnings or cold calls from "Microsoft" that trick you into giving remote access to your computer.
- Popup with a phone number to call
- Asks to install remote access software
- Claims to find more problems the longer you talk
FAFSA & scholarship fraud
Fake financial aid portals and scholarship offers that harvest SSNs or charge bogus application fees.
- Asks for SSN via email link
- Scholarship requires an application fee
- Domain is .com instead of .gov
Elder fraud
Scams specifically designed to exploit seniors — from grandparent scams to Medicare fraud and caregiver financial abuse.
- Caller claims to be a grandchild in trouble
- Medicare benefit termination threats
- Caregiver controlling finances
AI-powered scams
Deepfake video calls, cloned voices, and AI-generated phishing that's nearly impossible to distinguish from real communication.
- Voice sounds like someone you know but the call is unexpected
- Video quality is slightly off
- Urgency to act before you can verify
Crypto & investment scams
Fake trading platforms, guaranteed returns, and rug pulls. You can see fake profits — but you can never withdraw.
- Guaranteed returns or risk-free investing
- Platform you've never heard of
- Withdrawal requires additional "tax" or "fee"
Gaming & digital item scams
Fake trades, phishing links, and account theft targeting gamers through Discord, Steam, and in-game marketplaces.
- Trade requires you to go first with no escrow
- Free currency generators
- Login links from DMs instead of official sites
Vehicle purchase scams
Fake car listings, title washing, and shipping escrow scams targeting buyers on Craigslist and Facebook.
- Deposit required before viewing
- Seller is out of state and can't meet
- Price far below KBB value
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Five signs it's
always a scam.
Regardless of the type, these five patterns appear in virtually every scam. If you see any of them, stop and verify independently.
- 1
Urgency that prevents verification
"Act within 24 hours or your account will be suspended." Real organizations give you time. Scammers don't, because time lets you think.
- 2
Requests to move off-platform
"Text me on Telegram instead." Legitimate businesses transact on their own platforms. Moving to a personal channel removes all buyer protection.
- 3
Non-reversible payment methods
Gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, Zelle, CashApp. If someone insists on these, it's because the payment can't be reversed when you realize it's a scam.
- 4
Too good to be true
Below-market prices, guaranteed returns, high pay for easy work. The value gap is the bait. If you're wondering "why me?" — that's your answer.
- 5
Emotional pressure or isolation
"Don't tell anyone." "This is confidential." "I love you, just trust me." Scammers need you alone and emotional because a calm, outside perspective breaks the spell.
What to do
right now.
Contact your bank
Call the fraud department immediately. If you wired money, request a recall. If you gave card details, freeze the card. Time matters — the first 24 hours are critical.
Change your passwords
If you entered credentials on a fake site, change those passwords now — from a different device. Enable 2FA on every account that supports it.
Report it
File a report at IC3.gov (FBI), ReportFraud.ftc.gov (FTC), and your state attorney general's office. These reports are how patterns get detected and scammers get caught.
Freeze your credit
If your SSN was exposed, freeze your credit at all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). This is free and prevents new accounts from being opened in your name.
Knowledge helps.
Ambient protection
is better.
You shouldn't have to memorize red flags to stay safe online. Install suss. and let it watch for you — silently, across every page, email, and chat. Free.