Clear, trusted guidance to help you and your loved ones recognize, avoid, and report common scams — at no cost.
$21+ Billion
was lost by Americans to fraud in 2025 (FBI (opens in new tab))
73%
of U.S. adults have experienced an online scam (Pew Research (opens in new tab))
3 in 10
Americans have lost money or personal information to scams — you are not alone (AP-NORC Survey (opens in new tab))
Education is one of the strongest defenses against fraud. ScamEducation.org develops free resources that turn complex cybersecurity concepts into practical, everyday advice. Whether you're learning about common scam tactics, helping a loved one stay safe, or sharing information with your community, our goal is to make reliable scam prevention easy to understand and easy to use.
Understanding how scammers operate is your best defense against them.
A pop-up message or phone call says your computer has a virus or another problem. It tells you to call a phone number, where they ask to control your computer. The person pretends to fix the problem but may charge you a lot of money or steal your personal or financial information.
You receive a text message or email saying a package could not be delivered, however the package is not real. The message tells you to click a link to reschedule the delivery or confirm your address. The link takes you to a fake website that tries to steal your personal information or install harmful software.
You receive a text message that looks like it is from E-ZPass or another toll agency. It says you have an unpaid toll or traffic fine and tells you to pay right away by clicking a link to avoid extra fees or other consequences. The link takes you to a fake payment website that tries to steal your credit card or personal information.
A letter, email, text message, or phone call says you have won a prize, such as cash, a car, or a vacation. Before you can claim it, you are told to pay taxes, fees, or shipping costs. The prize does not exist, and the scammer keeps your money.
A phone call claims that your family member, often a grandchild, is in an emergency. The caller may pretend to be your relative, a lawyer, or a police officer. They ask you to send money right away and may tell you to keep it a secret.
A person you meet on a dating website or social media spends weeks or months gaining your trust. After building a relationship, they ask you to send money for an emergency or another problem. The relationship is fake, and the scammer's goal is to steal your money.
An advertisement, phone call, email, text message, or social media message promises a high-return investment with little or no risk. It may involve cryptocurrency, real estate, or stocks. After you send money, the investment turns out to be fake, and you may lose everything you invested.
A phone call claims to be from the IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare, or another government agency. The caller says you owe money, threatens you with arrest or fines, or tells you to pay immediately. Real government agencies do not call and demand immediate payment.
A phone call, email, or other message claims to be from Medicare or a health insurance company. You are offered free medical equipment, tests, or other benefits in exchange for your Medicare or insurance information. The scammer uses your information to commit fraud or steal your identity.
Download, print, or share these materials with family members, neighbors, and community groups.