--- title: "Fake brand messages: is it really them? | TapSafely" url: https://tapsafely.com/scams/brands source: TapSafely description: "Fake messages from 41 brands and agencies scammers copy most, from USPS and Royal Mail to PayPal and HMRC. See how to spot and report them." --- [Home](https://tapsafely.com/)/[Scam guides](https://tapsafely.com/scams/)/ Brand scams Brand scam alerts # Is that message really from them? Scammers pretend to be the companies and agencies people trust most. Pick a name to see what the real organisation says it will never ask for, its real web addresses, and where to report a fake. ## Parcels and deliveries [USPS ### USPS scam texts: how to spot a fake Package on hold because of an incomplete address, with a link to update it. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/usps-scam-texts)[Royal Mail ### Royal Mail scam texts: how to spot a fake Text asking for a small fee (about 1 to 3 pounds) to reschedule a delivery. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/royal-mail-scam-texts)[DHL ### DHL scam messages: how to spot a fake Customs duty or tax payment link for a held shipment. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/dhl-scam-messages)[FedEx ### FedEx scam texts: how to spot a fake Text with a tracking code asking you to set delivery preferences. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/fedex-scam-texts)[UPS ### UPS scam texts: how to spot a fake Text about a delivery with a link to a harmful site or malware. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/ups-scam-texts)[Evri ### Evri scam texts: how to spot a fake Text asking for a small fee to reschedule a missed delivery. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/evri-scam-texts)[Australia Post ### Australia Post scam texts: how to spot a fake Undelivered parcel message asking for action or a fee. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/australia-post-scam-texts)[Canada Post ### Canada Post scam texts: how to spot a fake Package held in a warehouse, confirm a small payment to deliver it. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/canada-post-scam-texts) ## Banks and payment apps [PayPal ### PayPal scam emails: how to spot a fake Emails with generic greetings such as Dear user or Hello PayPal member. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/paypal-scam-emails)[Zelle ### Zelle scams: how to spot them and stay safe Fake bank fraud alert text asking if you approved a Zelle payment. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/zelle-scams)[Cash App ### Cash App scams: how to spot them and stay safe Fake Cash App giveaway or cash flip that asks you to pay first. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/cash-app-scams)[Venmo ### Venmo scams: how to spot them and stay safe Fake prize or cash reward with a link to claim it. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/venmo-scams)[Chase ### Chase scam texts: how to spot a fake Fake fraud alert asking you to confirm a large purchase. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/chase-bank-scam-texts)[Bank of America ### Bank of America scam texts: how to spot a fake Fake fraud alert asking you to reply or tap a link about a charge. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/bank-of-america-scam-texts)[Wells Fargo ### Wells Fargo scam texts: how to spot a fake Fake fraud alert asking you to reply or call about a transaction. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/wells-fargo-scam-texts) ## Shopping, streaming and tech accounts [Amazon ### Amazon scam messages: how to spot a fake Fake order confirmations or shipping updates for purchases you did not make. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/amazon-scam-messages)[Netflix ### Netflix scam emails: how to spot a fake Emails or texts saying your payment failed and your membership will be suspended. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/netflix-scam-emails)[Apple ### Apple scam messages: how to spot a fake Fake App Store or Apple Music receipts for purchases you did not make. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/apple-scam-messages)[Microsoft ### Microsoft scam calls and emails: how to spot them Unexpected calls from fake Microsoft technicians who want remote access to your computer. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/microsoft-scam-calls-and-emails)[Booking.com ### Booking.com scam messages: how to spot a fake Urgent messages saying your booking will be cancelled unless you confirm your card details. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/booking-com-scam-messages)[Geek Squad ### Geek Squad scam emails: how to spot a fake Invoice saying you were charged hundreds of dollars to renew Geek Squad. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/geek-squad-scam-emails)[Norton and McAfee ### Norton and McAfee renewal scams: spot a fake invoice Invoice saying your antivirus subscription renewed for hundreds of dollars. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/norton-mcafee-renewal-scams)[Walmart ### Walmart scam messages: how to spot a fake Text saying you won a Walmart gift card. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/walmart-scam-messages)[Google and Gmail ### Google and Gmail scams: how to spot them and stay safe Phone call from 'Google support' about a hacked account. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/google-gmail-scams)[Steam ### Steam scams: how to spot them and stay safe I accidentally reported your account, contact this Steam admin to avoid a ban. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/steam-scams) ## Messaging and social media [WhatsApp ### WhatsApp scams: how to spot them and stay safe Messages from a new number pretending to be a friend or family member who needs money. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/whatsapp-scams)[Meta (Facebook and Instagram) ### Facebook and Instagram scams: how to spot them Direct messages claiming your account will be banned or has broken copyright rules. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/facebook-instagram-scams)[TikTok ### TikTok scams: how to spot them and stay safe Your account will be banned unless you verify it with the code we just sent. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/tiktok-scams)[Telegram ### Telegram scams: how to spot them and stay safe Telegram support asking you to send the login code you just received. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/telegram-scams) ## Tax and government [HMRC ### HMRC scam texts and calls: how to spot them Unexpected tax refund or rebate offers sent by text, email or social media. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/hmrc-scam-texts-and-calls)[IRS ### IRS scam calls and texts: how to spot them Unsolicited texts or emails about a tax refund or credit with a link to claim it. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/irs-scam-calls-and-texts)[E-ZPass and US toll agencies ### E-ZPass and unpaid toll texts: how to spot a fake Texts claiming you owe a small unpaid toll with a link to pay. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/e-zpass-toll-scam-texts)[Social Security (SSA) ### Social Security (SSA) scams: how to spot them and stay safe Your Social Security number has been suspended because of suspicious activity. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/social-security-scams)[Medicare ### Medicare scam calls: how to spot them You need a new or updated Medicare card, just confirm your Medicare number. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/medicare-scam-calls)[DVLA ### DVLA scam texts: how to spot a fake You are due a vehicle tax refund, click to claim. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/dvla-scam-texts)[TV Licensing ### TV Licensing scam emails: how to spot a fake Your TV Licence payment failed, update your billing information. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/tv-licensing-scam-emails)[ATO ### ATO scam calls and texts: how to spot them You have a tax refund waiting, sign in to myGov through this link. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/ato-scam-calls-and-texts)[CRA ### CRA scam calls and texts: how to spot them You have a CRA refund waiting, accept it by Interac e-Transfer. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/cra-scam-calls-and-texts) ## Marketplaces and crypto [eBay ### eBay scam messages: how to spot a fake Urgent or threatening emails telling you to act quickly on your account. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/ebay-scam-messages)[Coinbase ### Coinbase scam messages: how to spot a fake Calls or texts from fake Coinbase support saying your account is compromised. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/coinbase-scam-messages)[Binance ### Binance scam messages: how to spot a fake Spoofed SMS messages that appear to come from Binance. How to spot a fake](https://tapsafely.com/scams/binance-scam-messages) TapSafely is independent and not affiliated with any of these organisations. Names are used only to help people recognise impersonation scams. ## Questions Why do scammers pretend to be big brands? Because most people use them. A fake parcel, bank or streaming message only has to reach people who happen to be waiting for a delivery or using that service. How can I tell if a message is really from a company? Don't use the link or number in the message. Open the company's official app, or type its web address yourself, and check your account there.