🛡️ Field guide
Spot the Scam
Fake stores, phishing, and payment scams all share the same tells. Learn them once — and never get caught.
💸Too good to be trueA $600 item for $89. If the deal is unreal, it's bait.
⏳Manufactured urgency"Pay in 24h or lose it." Countdown timers exist to make you panic.
🔗The domain is offpaypa1.com, not paypal.com. Read it letter by letter.
🆕Brand-new websiteRegistered days ago, no reviews, no history.
💳Unusual paymentGift cards, wire transfer, crypto, or a "release fee."
📩You didn't ask for itA text or email out of the blue, pushing you to act now.
🛒
Fake online store
Bait: a huge discount on a hot product.
Tell: lookalike domain, fake countdown, no real reviews.
📦
Package "redelivery fee"
Bait: "$1.99 to release your parcel."
Tell: carriers never text you for money.
🎬
"Payment failed" email
Bait: "update your card or lose access."
Tell: real brands don't make you update via an email link.
💸
"You've been paid"
Bait: "confirm your card to release the funds."
Tell: money coming IN never needs your card.
🔐
Lookalike login
Bait: "verify your account now."
Tell: read the domain — amaz0n, paypa1, g00gle.
🎁
Gift-card demand
Bait: "settle your bill with a gift card."
Tell: no real company or agency EVER takes gift cards.
1Never click the link in an email or text — open the app or type the real site yourself.
2Money coming IN never needs your card, a fee, or a "release" payment.
3Gift cards as payment = 100% scam. The IRS, Amazon, your boss — none take them.
4Read the domain letter by letter. The logo can be faked; the URL can't.