ScanBeyond Back to ScanBeyond
Knowledge Base

Scam Knowledge Base

Free, in-depth articles on the scams hitting people hardest right now — how they work, how to spot them early, and exactly what to do if you're targeted or already victimized.

14In-depth articles
Updated weeklyCurrent scam tactics and trends
ActionableStep-by-step response playbooks
Tip: press / to jump to search.
Showing all 18 articles.
⭐ Most targeted right now Marketplace

How to Identify Fake Facebook Marketplace Buyer Scams

Overpayment checks, fake Zelle transfers, phantom buyers — every common trick used against private sellers, with step-by-step defense strategies.

overpayment check fake Zelle red flags what to do protection tips
10 min read  ·  1,900 words
Digital & QR

What to Do If You Scanned a Fake QR Code

QR phishing ("quishing") on parking meters, restaurant tables, and emails. Immediate steps to take, how to check if your data was taken, and how to stay safe.

quishing parking meters just scanned data stolen prevention
9 min read  ·  1,750 words
Digital & SMS

USPS Package Text Scams

Fake delivery updates, redelivery fees, and spoofed tracking links. Learn how this smishing campaign steals card and identity data.

smishing spoofed tracking red flags data stolen prevention
11 min read  ·  1,900 words
Digital & SMS

Toll Road Text Scams (E‑ZPass, SunPass, FasTrak)

One of the fastest-growing scam waves: fake unpaid toll notices with urgent payment links and penalty threats.

fake toll notice warning signs clicked link already paid prevention
11 min read  ·  1,850 words
Digital & SMS

Spoofing Scams (Fake Calls, Emails & Websites)

How scammers make real-looking caller IDs, sender emails, and websites to steal money, passwords, and personal data.

fake caller ID email spoofing fake website already fooled protection tips
11 min read  ·  1,900 words
Digital & QR

Fake CAPTCHA Scams ("I’m Not a Robot" Trap)

A rising 2026 scam: fake verification pages that trick people into running hidden commands and infecting devices.

copy-paste trick what gets stolen warning signs clicked or pasted stay safe
10 min read  ·  1,700 words
Employment

Task Job Scams (Fake Remote Work & Click-to-Earn)

Fraudulent platforms that show fake earnings, then demand repeated deposits to unlock withdrawals.

deposit trap how recruited warning signs lost money real job checks
12 min read  ·  2,000 words
Phone & Account

AI Voice Clone Family Emergency Scams

How criminals use synthetic voice impersonation to trigger panic payments — and the family protocol that stops it.

voice samples emergency script red flags family protocol already sent
11 min read  ·  1,850 words
Phone & Account

SIM Swap Scams (Phone Number Hijacking)

What to do when your phone suddenly loses service and scammers use your number to break into email, banking, and social accounts.

early signs first 30 minutes account recovery prevention common questions
10 min read  ·  1,650 words
Phone & Account

Deepfake Video Scams (Fake Live Calls)

A major 2026 trend: scammers using AI-made videos and voices to fake identity and pressure urgent payments.

2026 scam trend red flags family/work rules already sent money future protection
11 min read  ·  1,850 words
Romance & Trust

Pig Butchering Romance Scams

The long-game relationship scam that builds trust first, then funnels victims into fake crypto investments and blocked withdrawals.

love bombing fake crypto warning signs already sent how to protect
13 min read  ·  2,100 words
Financial

Bank Impersonation Scams

Fake fraud department calls, caller ID spoofing, and “secure account” transfer traps that trick victims into authorizing theft.

caller ID spoof fraud scripts red flags data shared prevention
12 min read  ·  1,700 words
Financial

Crypto Recovery Scams: The Second Hit

How fake investigators and legal services target people after an initial crypto loss with guaranteed “recovery” promises.

fake investigator recovery red flags real recovery already paid avoid second loss
11 min read  ·  1,550 words
Marketplace

Rental Scams on Craigslist, Zillow & Facebook

Fake landlord listings, deposit pressure, and application-document identity theft — plus a verification checklist before paying.

fake landlord warning signs verify listing identity theft already paid
12 min read  ·  1,500 words
Phone & Account

Grandparent Emergency Scams

Panic family calls, fake lawyers, and AI voice impersonation tactics that pressure urgent wire or gift-card payments.

AI voice clone gift card demand red flags family code word already paid
11 min read  ·  1,600 words
Financial

Fake Check Scams & Overpayment Traps

Why “funds available” isn’t final clearance, and how check overpayment tricks turn into real, irreversible losses.

overpayment trap check clearing red flags small business risk protection tips
12 min read  ·  1,550 words
Phone & Account

Google Voice Verification Code Scams

The marketplace “verify you’re real” trick that hijacks trust using one-time code requests.

verification code how it starts red flags code shared seller playbook
11 min read  ·  1,500 words
Government

Government Impersonation Scams (IRS, SSA, FTC)

Threat-based legal scripts and fake agency notices demanding immediate gift card, wire, or crypto payments.

IRS / SSA / FBI legal threats payment demands red flags already paid
12 min read  ·  1,500 words
No articles match your search.
Try a broader keyword like bank, romance, text, or job.

Not sure if something is a scam?

Paste any suspicious message, link, phone number, or email into ScanBeyond and get an instant AI-powered risk assessment — free.

Check Scam Risk — Free