---
title: "Scam guides: how to spot common scams | URLert"
description: "How common scams work, how to spot one, and what to do. Pick the one that sounds like your message."
url: https://www.urlert.com/scams
mcp: https://www.urlert.com/mcp
---

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# Scam guides

How common scams work, how to spot one, and what to do. Pick the one that sounds like your message.

[Start here](https://www.urlert.com/scams/how-scams-pretend.md)

### How scams pretend

Names, numbers and logos can all be copied. How to check who's really writing to you.

[**Already clicked, paid or replied?** See what to do now.](https://www.urlert.com/recover.md)

### Bills, fines and prizes

- [**Parcel, toll and tax fees** A text says you owe a small fee: a parcel held, an unpaid toll, a fine or tax due.](https://www.urlert.com/scams/parcel-toll-tax-fees.md)
- [**Fake invoices and changed bank details** A bill you don't recognise, or a supplier, landlord or lawyer whose bank details have “changed”.](https://www.urlert.com/scams/fake-invoices.md)
- [**Prizes and refunds** Money that's yours, once you pay a fee or share your bank details.](https://www.urlert.com/scams/prizes-and-refunds.md)
- [**Threats and blackmail emails** An email that says it has your password or a video of you, and wants money.](https://www.urlert.com/scams/threats-and-blackmail.md)

### Your bank, accounts and ID

- [**Bank and card alerts** A warning about your account, a payment you didn't make, or a locked card, with a link or a number to fix it.](https://www.urlert.com/scams/bank-and-card-alerts.md)
- [**Safe account scams** A “fraud team”, the police or a government office says your money is at risk and must be moved.](https://www.urlert.com/scams/safe-account-scams.md)
- [**Codes and sign-in requests** A message or call that asks for a code, or to approve a sign-in you didn't start.](https://www.urlert.com/scams/codes-and-sign-in-requests.md)
- [**Fake sign-in pages** A page that looks like your bank's or your email's sign-in, on another website.](https://www.urlert.com/scams/fake-sign-in-pages.md)
- [**ID theft** A request for a photo of your ID, your date of birth or your tax number.](https://www.urlert.com/scams/id-theft.md)
- [**QR codes** A code on a sticker, a letter or an email that opens a fake page.](https://www.urlert.com/scams/qr-codes.md)

### Shopping, selling, jobs and investing

- [**Fake shops and free trials** Prices too good to be true, or a “free” trial that keeps charging.](https://www.urlert.com/scams/fake-shops.md)
- [**Marketplace buying and selling** A buyer or seller who moves you off the app, or sends their own payment link.](https://www.urlert.com/scams/marketplace.md)
- [**Jobs and paid tasks** Easy pay for small tasks, until you must pay to start or to get your earnings.](https://www.urlert.com/scams/jobs-and-paid-tasks.md)
- [**Investments** Promised profits from someone you met online or by message.](https://www.urlert.com/scams/investments.md)
- [**Crypto wallets** A link that asks you to connect your wallet, sign something or type your recovery phrase.](https://www.urlert.com/scams/crypto-wallets.md)

### Your phone, computer and AI assistant

- [**Fake downloads and apps** A message or page that pushes a file, an update or an app to install.](https://www.urlert.com/scams/fake-downloads.md)
- [**Fake “verify you're human” pages** A page that asks you to press keys or paste something.](https://www.urlert.com/scams/fake-verify-human.md)
- [**Tech support pop-ups and calls** A warning that your computer has a problem, with a number to call.](https://www.urlert.com/scams/tech-support.md)
- [**AI assistants and scams** Hidden instructions in a page or email, written for your AI assistant.](https://www.urlert.com/scams/ai-assistants.md)

### Messages from someone you know, or a stranger

- [**“Hi Mom, new number”** Your child, a friend or your boss, on a new number, asking for money now.](https://www.urlert.com/scams/hi-mom-new-number.md)
- [**Online romance** Someone you met online, and never in person, asks for money or to invest.](https://www.urlert.com/scams/online-romance.md)
- [**Messages that want you to call or reply** A number to call about a charge, a “wrong number” text, or a missed call from a number you don't know.](https://www.urlert.com/scams/call-or-reply.md)

### Not sure which one it is?

Check the message itself. We'll tell you what it is and what to do.

[Check a message](https://www.urlert.com/index.md)

[URLert home](https://www.urlert.com/index.md)

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