The A to Z List of Scams

We have Aihua foreign exchangemade a list of the most reported scams to help you identify them quickly. Additionally, you can click on the name of the scam for detailed information about it and how to protect yourself.

A

AliExpress Scams

AliExpress leads globally as the largest eCommerce retail shop but it is possible to get scammed on this platform if you are not careful.

Amazon Scams

The shopping and delivery systems at Amazon are exploited by scammers to con buyers and sellers alike.

C

Cartel Scam

Not every call from a drug cartel is a real threat to your life. Scammers pose as mafia hitmen to extort money in this scam.

CashApp Scams

Never follow an email link, a stranger's instructions, or customer care support via a call to transfer money through your phone. That’s how CashApp scams are executed.

Chargeback Scams

These scams are dangerous because they are a genuine charge for purchases made by someone else to your card. Beware of chargeback fraud.  

Courier & Delivery Scams

Sellers also get scammed by their buyers who claim packages did not arrive or arrived with damage and refuse to pay.

Craigslist Scams

Listings and classifieds sites are great places to find what you want, quick and cheap. Do your due diligence in verifying before purchase to avoid craigslist scams.

Crypto Mining Scams

Before you pay for mining digital coins, here’s how to spot a crypto mining scam. 

D

Dropshipping Scams

Dropshipping scams involve cheap products sold by middlemen with a huge markup and poor or no after-sales support.

E

eBay Scams

Watch out for these scams when buying or selling items on eBay.

Education Scams

Pursue your learning dreams in peace by being aware of education scams.

Email Scams

As one of the chief ways scams are initiated, scammer emails can cause serious money losses and loss of your personal details. Beware of compromised emails.

F

Facebook Scams

Beware of scams such as fake profiles, scammy ads and links to phishing sites on Facebook.

Fake Check Scam

Write, receive and cash your checks with care to avoid being a victim of fake check scams.

Fake ID Scams

Can you buy a fake ID online? You’ll lose both your money and identification details to scammers who claim they can make a fake driver’s license or passport.

Fake Job Scams

Jobs that need you to pay to work or have no clear description of your role as an employee are always scams.

Free Gift & Prize Scams

Don’t fall for free gifts and giveaways when shopping whenever you're asked to put in your personal and banking details, they are fronts for identity theft.

G

Gaming Scams

Never buy bootleg game copies online or follow links to download the latest game for free, they are a disguised way to deliver malware and gain access to your money.

Gift Card Scams

Only use your gift card in exchange for gifts at authorized stores. Never use gift cards as payment or a form of payment or share them with strangers; you will be scammed!

Google Voice Scam

Scammers after your phone number use Google Voice to trick you and take control of your Google Voice number. Here is what you can do if you fall for a phone verification scam.

H

High-Risk Financial Investment Scams

Investments that promise the greatest gains in the short term are the riskiest in stocks, precious gems and futures markets. Beware of scams in that area.

High Yield Investment Programs (HYIPs)

Unusually high rates in return on investment are the first tell-tale signs of HYIP scams.

I

ICO Scams

Approach purchasing of new and unknown cryptocurrencies with caution as you could fall for these ICO scams.

Inheritance Scams

Nobody is handing out loads of cash to strangers online. Don’t believe stories about a large unclaimed inheritance sitting in a bank waiting for your assistance to get it out.

Investment Scams

Placing your cash in any investment? Check for signs that it’s genuine first, it may be a scam.

L

Linkedin Scams

Fake profiles are used to pull scams on professionals on LinkedIn by claiming to be able to provide a service. Read about professional scammers here.

Lottery Scams

Gamble safely by learning to identify scam signs on lotto sites.

M

Malware Scams

Protect your devices and accounts online so that you don’t fall prey to fake tech support and malware scams.

Money Flipping Scams

Money flipping is a term used to entice get-rich-quick hopefuls to invest in a shady program that multiplies their investment up to ten times within a few hours.

Money Mule Scam

Cybercriminals may try to use you to move illegal money thus keeping themselves from being caught by the authorities.

Money Recovery Scams

If you lose money in a scam, be careful whom you contact to help you recover it. It could be a scammer waiting for scam victims. Some lost cryptos cannot be recovered.

Multi-level Marketing (MLM) Scams

Whenever your performance of a job and its pay depend on how many more people you recruit, you are in an MLM scam.

O

OfferUp Scams

Some mobile merchant apps are legitimate but have the downside that they have been manipulated by scammers to rip buyers off. OfferUp is one such platform.

P

Pay To Click (PTC) Scams

Jobs that pay you next to nothing for simply clicking on certain ads online are not real jobs but scams.

PayPal Scams

Some sellers and buyers exploit PayPal systems to rip off ignorant users. Be watchful to avoid PayPal scams.

Pet Scams

Never pay for a pet because you saw an ad with pretty puppies or a cute cat. Pet scams work precisely because of that.

Phone Scams

A call or text is one common way scams are initiated. Verify the information you get before acting to protect yourself from phone scams.

S

Social Media Scams

Fake ads and profiles are at the center of social media scams.

Sugar Baby Scam

Looking for love on dating sites can put you in the crosshairs of a romantic scammer.

T

Tech Support Scams

One very effective way scammers use to get computer users to buy antivirus software is by claiming that they are contacting them from Tech Support about a problem with their computer. Such are tech support scams.

Telegram Scams

Telegram groups are used to spread false information to scam unsuspecting victims.

Trading & Investment Scams

Trading in the forex market needs you to understand how it works to be able to spot the scam.

Travel & Holiday Scams

Be careful when you plan a holiday getaway to book and travel with genuine travel agencies. Here’s how to spot fake travel agencies.

U

Unexpected Money & Winning Scams

When you receive unexpected money winnings, it may be a ploy to get your banking details or get you on the hook for an investment scam.

Utility Scams

Utility company impostors can claim you have unpaid bills to clear immediately or risk disconnection.

V

Venmo Scams

Send money only to friends and family whom you trust to avoid Venmo scams. Never do refunds from strangers who claim to have accidentally sent money to you.

W

WhatsApp Scams

Don’t fall for the “new features or free data offers” sent to you on WhatsApp with links to phishing sites for a subscription. It is likely to be a WhatsApp scam.

Work From Home Job Scams

Not every opportunity to work from home is highly lucrative. It may be a scammer going after your money and personal details.