How to tell that it’s a scam?

Common sense

Usually, a scam is easy to spot. There are a few methods scammers tend to use that make it extremely obvious. Here are the most popular ones:

  • Requesting money or personal information - name, credit card details, address, social security number, and so on.
  • Too good to be true - celebrities texting you on WhatsApp, a lot of money to win just by clicking a few buttons, etc.
  • Poor/suspicious way of texting - scammers often don’t know English very well, so they use translators or ChatGPT.
  • Fake authority - Pretending to be from a bank, government agency, or well-known company but contacting you through personal email, social media, or messaging apps.
  • Asking for money - Scammers tend to claim they have a family emergency and need money.

Facial recognition

Checking the faces of people who are texting you often leads to finding out that they actually stole someone else’s image. You can upload a photo of the person to a facial search engine and see if the photo is theirs or stolen. Here’s how:

  1. Open a face search tool such as lenso.ai
  2. Upload the image of the suspicious person
  3. Check where they appeared online

If you find their name is completely different, you are likely dealing with a scam.

lensoai

Video/Deepfake Verification

Ask for a live call. Scammers tend to refuse. If they send pre-recorded “video messages,” check for lip-sync issues, unnatural blinking, or looping.

Most popular scams right now

Some scams follow the same pattern, making them easy to spot.

  • Phishing/Smishing/Vishing - fake emails, texts, or calls to steal login or banking info; a quick DKIM verification - e.g., with the EasyDMARC dkim checker, can help confirm authenticity.
  • Pig Butchering - long-term scam where criminals build trust (often via romance or friendship online), then gradually lure victims into fake investments (usually crypto). The “butchering” comes when they convince the victim to put in everything they have, then vanish.
  • Ponzi & Pyramid Schemes - fake investments paid with money from new recruits.
  • Romance Scams - online relationships that lead to requests for money. Lottery / Prize Scams - “You’ve won!” but must pay taxes/fees first. Tech Support Scams - fake calls/pop-ups claiming your computer is infected. Nigerian Prince (419 Scam) - suspicious inheritance or business deal offers.

How to help someone who is getting scammed?

Inform them that it’s a scam

People who get scammed sometimes refuse to believe it. In this case, it’s important you step in and help.

You can send them the results of reverse image search as proof, explain to them how the scam works, or even inform the authorities and get their bank involved so they are forced to accept it.

Help them cut all contact with the scammer

Block the scammer on all platforms. Make sure the person is not contacting them on any social media accounts. Scammers often try to re-establish contact through different accounts, so advise your friend to ignore new requests or messages that seem suspicious.

Ensure the safety of their passwords, card information, images, and accounts

If any personal details have already been shared, help them secure their digital safety. This includes changing passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and contacting their bank or credit card provider to block suspicious activity. Adding SMS OTP Verification as part of two-factor authentication can give accounts an extra layer of protection with one-time codes sent to a trusted phone number. Report the scam to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Sometimes, the money can be recovered if you contact the bank early.

If you have any more tips on online scams, share this article on social media and let us know! Make sure to stay safe and help your family members or others if you suspect they are being scammed.

Author

Kinga Jasinska

Marketing Specialist