đ 100+ Terms Every Consumer Should Know
Welcome to the DailyScamWatch Scam Glossaryâa comprehensive reference of modern scam terminology designed to boost your scam literacy and empower digital self-defense. Use this tool to understand what fraudsters are doing, how theyâre doing it, and how you can stay ahead.
đ± Digital & Messaging Scams
Term Definition Phishing A scam that uses fake emails, websites, or messages to steal login credentials or sensitive information. Smishing Targeted phishing uses personal info to make scams seem more credible. Vishing Phishing over voice calls; scammers impersonate legitimate entities to extract personal data. Quishing A scam that uses malicious QR codes to direct victims to fake sites or malware downloads. Clone Phishing A copy of a real email with altered links or attachments that lead to malware or fake login pages. Spear Phishing Targeted phishing using personal info to make scams seem more credible. Angler Phishing Fake customer service accounts on social media trick users into revealing personal data. Email Spoofing Faking the senderâs email address to appear as a trusted source. Domain Spoofing Creating a fake website URL that mimics a trusted organization. Social Media Impersonation Creating fake profiles to deceive followers or spread fraud.
đ° Financial & Crypto Scams
Term Definition Pig Butchering A long-term scam where victims are groomed before being tricked into investing in fraudulent crypto platforms. Money Mule A person (often unknowingly) recruited to transfer illicit funds for scammers. Rug Pull Crypto developers disappear after raising money, leaving investors with worthless tokens. Pump and Dump Victims are offered loans that require an upfront payment for processing. Advance Fee Fraud Victims pay upfront fees with the promise of large rewards that never arrive. 419 Scam A version of advance fee fraud named after Nigeriaâs criminal code, often involving fake inheritances. Fake Loan Scam Victims are offered loans that require upfront payment for processing. Fake Grant Scam Fraudsters pose as grant-giving institutions requiring fees or bank info. Fake Trading Platform Phony websites that mimic legitimate investment platforms to steal money. Fake Airdrop Promises of free crypto tokens used to compromise wallets and steal assets.
đ§ Psychological Manipulation & Impersonation Scams
Term Definition Catfishing Creating a fake online identity, often for romantic manipulation. Love Bombing Overwhelming someone with affection to gain trust quicklyâoften a precursor to romance fraud. Imposter Scam Pretending to be someone trustworthy, like a relative or official, to exploit the victim. Grandparent Scam Fraudsters pretend to be a grandchild in crisis needing emergency funds. Social Engineering Psychological manipulation to trick people into sharing private information. Emergency Scam Impersonation involving urgent scenarios (e.g., jail, hospital) to create panic. Fake Charity Scam Exploiting disasters or causes to collect fake donations. Fake Job Scam Promises of employment followed by requests for sensitive info or money. Fake Government Agent Posing as FBI, IRS, etc., often demanding payments via gift cards or crypto. Voice Cloning Using AI to mimic real voices, making impersonation frighteningly realistic.
đŠ Banking & Payment Scams
Term Definition Check Washing Altering stolen checks to redirect funds to scammers. Skimming Hidden devices capture card info at ATMs or point-of-sale machines. Card Cloning Copying card data onto a blank card to make unauthorized purchases. SIM Swapping Hijacking someone’s phone number to access 2FA codes and accounts. Zelle Fraud Trickery involving Zelle transfersâoften via impersonation or fake support. Cash App Scam Similar fraud conducted through Cash App, often with fake contests or support. Gift Card Scam Scammers demand payment via gift cardsâuntraceable and irreversible. Fake Invoice Scam Sending realistic invoices to trick businesses or individuals into sending money. Fake Subscription Scam Threatening auto-renewals for services that donât exist. Fake Refund Scam Scammers claim youâre owed money, then manipulate you into âreturningâ funds.
đ§âđ» Tech & Malware Scams
Term Definition Malvertising Malware embedded in fake ads that infect devices when clicked. Drive-by Download Malware installs just by visiting a compromised website. Trojan Horse Disguised malware that enters a system posing as a legit file. Keylogger Software that records everything typed, including passwords. Ransomware Encrypts files and demands payment for access. Spyware Secretly monitors user activity and sends data to scammers. Fake Antivirus Alert Pop-ups claiming your device is infectedâprompting fake fixes or payments. Fake Tech Support Scam Cold calls or pop-ups urging users to give remote access to scammers. Fake VPN App Phony âprivacyâ apps that actually track or steal data. Fake System Cleaner Fake optimization tools that lock devices or demand payments.
đ Identity & Impersonation Scams
Term Definition Synthetic Identity Theft Combining real and fake data to create a new identity for fraud. Ghosting Using the identity of a deceased person to open accounts or make purchases. Fake Influencer Scam Impersonating public figures to promote fake products or investments. Fake School Scam Fake academic institutions used to extract tuition or application fees. Fake Immigration Scam False claims of legal action or deportation used to extort money. Fake Employer Scam Posing as hiring managers to collect personal data or deposits. Fake Social Security Scam False claims of suspension or compromise of Social Security numbers. Fake Military Romance Scammers pose as deployed soldiers to build sympathy and request money.
đ§ Behavioral & Psychological Tactics
Term Definition Gaslighting Manipulating a victim into doubting their memory or reality, often used to gain control or prolong financial exploitation. Fearware Fake alerts or pop-ups designed to scare users into downloading malware or paying for fake solutions. Urgency Tactic A high-pressure strategy that forces quick decisions, often using countdowns, threats, or limited-time language. Scarcity Tactic Suggests limited availability (âonly 2 left!â) to nudge impulse responses in scam-based retail or investment fraud. Authority Bias Using fake titles (e.g., “Detective,” “IRS Agent”) to exploit trust in perceived power or expertise. Reciprocity Trap Scammers offer fake freebies or compliments to guilt victims into returning a favorâusually money or personal data. Foot-in-the-Door Getting a victim to agree to a small request to increase compliance with larger scams later.
đ§Ÿ Retail, Product & Service Scams
Term Definition Counterfeit Goods Scam Selling knockoffs as name-brand items through fake or shady websites. Drop Shipping Scam Fraudulent retailers never ship products and vanish after collecting payments. Fake Event Ticket Scam Selling forged or invalid tickets to concerts, sports, or travel events. Subscription Trap Free trial offers that lock users into hard-to-cancel paid subscriptions. Warranty Scam Aggressive robocalls pushing fake car or device warranties with upfront payments. Travel Scam Fake travel agency offers, timeshare schemes, or vacation rental cons. Fake Service Provider Posing as cleaners, movers, repairmen, etc., to collect deposits or gain home access. Fake Pet Scam Selling non-existent pets online often requires large upfront shipping or vaccination fees.
đ Education, Grant & Career Scams
Term Definition Student Loan Forgiveness Scam Fraudulent companies offering âreliefâ while collecting fees or identity documents. Fake Scholarship Offer Entices students to apply or pay processing fees for scholarships that donât exist. Diploma Mill A fake institution that sells academic degrees with little or no coursework. Job Listing Scam False job postings that gather personal data or push application fees. Work-from-Home Scam Promises big income for online tasks or packagesâoften requiring upfront kits or deposits. Resume Harvesting Collecting detailed resumes to commit identity theft or resell personal data. Unpaid Internship Scam Exploiting job seekers with unpaid roles that never lead to real opportunities.
đ§ Youth & Family-Targeted Scams
Term Definition Fortnite Scam Fake giveaways of in-game currency designed to collect account credentials. TikTok Influencer Scam Promoting fraudulent products or services disguised as viral content. School Fundraiser Scam Fraudsters impersonate teachers or administrators to collect fake donations. Summer Camp Scam Fake registration for camps that donât exist, often preying on working parents. Fake Babysitting Gig Exploits young adults with payment reversal fraud or fake job offers. Teen Romance Scam Similar to catfishing, but targeted at teens with emotionally manipulative messaging.
đ€ AI & Emerging Technology Scams
Term Definition Deepfake Scam Uses AI-generated videos or audio to impersonate trusted individuals for fraud. Voice Cloning Scam AI-mimicked voices used to pose as loved ones or officials. AI Trading Bot Scam Fake crypto bots that claim guaranteed profits but steal deposits. AI Content Scam AI-generated articles or reviews used to promote fraudulent services. Chatbot Scam Fake live chats on websites mimic customer support to steal data. Facial Recognition Spoofing Trick biometric systems with manipulated video or masks for access. AI-Generated Romance Automated accounts using scripts and images to lure victims into relationship scams.
đ Real Estate & Rental Scams
Term Definition Rental Deposit Scam Fake landlords collect security deposits for properties that arenât available. Vacation Rental Scam Fraudulent listings lure travelers into paying for nonexistent properties. Title Fraud Scammers steal or forge property deeds to sell or borrow against someone elseâs home. Foreclosure Relief Scam Targets distressed homeowners with false promises of saving their home. Moving Company Scam Rogue movers demand extra fees or hold items hostage during relocation. Fake Agent Scam Imposters pose as licensed real estate agents to access homes or gather documents.
đ„ Medical, Wellness & Insurance Scams
Term Definition Medical Billing Scam Fraudulent home test kits are sold online with fake approvals or data theft. Pharmacy Scam Illegitimate sellers advertise discounted prescriptions but never deliver. Fake Health Supplement Scam Fake or inflated bills are sent to patients or insurers for unauthorized treatments. Health Insurance Scam Calls or ads pretending to offer coverage while harvesting personal data. Covid-19 Test Kit Scam Fraudulent home test kits sold online with fake approvals or data theft. Medical ID Theft Using someone elseâs health info for services, prescriptions, or billing fraud.
đ Website, Content & Online Business Scams
Term Definition Fake Reviews Scam Paid or AI-generated reviews used to legitimize scam businesses. Domain Hijacking Taking control of a website domain for ransom or impersonation. SEO Poisoning Manipulating search rankings with fake content to direct users to fraudulent sites. Affiliate Marketing Scam Recruiting users to promote fake products for fake commissions. Dropshipping Pyramid Scheme âTraining programsâ mask non-functional dropshipping setups requiring fees. Fake Business Listing False entries on directories to collect deposits or impersonate real firms.