--- title: "Common scams explained: 21 free guides | TapSafely" url: https://tapsafely.com/scams/ source: TapSafely description: "Plain-language guides to the scams people see most: fake delivery texts, Hi Mum messages, bank impersonation, crypto, job scams, phishing and more." --- Scam guides # How today's scams work, and how to beat them Each guide shows a real-world example, the red flags, what to do, and what to do if you've already paid. Search guides21 guides ## Messages & calls [### Fake delivery texts and customs-fee scams Got a text saying your parcel is on hold until you pay a small fee? See how fake delivery texts work, the red flags, and what to do if you tapped. Read guide](https://tapsafely.com/scams/fake-delivery-texts)[### “Unpaid toll” and parking-fine texts A text says you owe a small toll or parking fine and will face penalties unless you pay now. Here's how to tell fake toll texts from real notices. Read guide](https://tapsafely.com/scams/unpaid-toll-parking-texts)[### Fake tax refunds, government payments and fines Messages about tax refunds, benefit payments or unpaid fines are common scams. Learn how tax offices really contact you and how to check safely. Read guide](https://tapsafely.com/scams/fake-tax-refund-messages)[### The “Hi Mum, this is my new number” scam A message from a new number says it's your child and asks for money. How the Hi Mum scam works and how to check who you're really talking to. Read guide](https://tapsafely.com/scams/hi-mum-new-number-scam)[### Bank impersonation and “safe account” scams A caller from your bank's "fraud team" says your money is at risk. No bank ever asks you to move money to a safe account. Here's what to do. Read guide](https://tapsafely.com/scams/bank-safe-account-scam)[### Verification-code and account-takeover scams “I sent you a code by mistake, can you send it back?” How scammers steal WhatsApp, email and bank accounts with one-time codes, and how to lock yours down. Read guide](https://tapsafely.com/scams/verification-code-scams)[### Prize, lottery and giveaway scams You've won a phone, a lottery or a supermarket reward. You just need to pay a small fee. How prize scams and fake giveaways work. Read guide](https://tapsafely.com/scams/prize-and-giveaway-scams) ## Money & investments [### Crypto and investment scams Guaranteed returns, deepfake celebrity ads and platforms that won't let you withdraw. How investment scams work and how to check before you invest. Read guide](https://tapsafely.com/scams/crypto-investment-scams)[### Romance scams An online partner who can't meet or video call, then needs money. Learn the warning signs of romance scams and how to talk to someone you're worried about. Read guide](https://tapsafely.com/scams/romance-scams)[### Task-based job scams A recruiter offers easy remote work rating products or liking videos. Then you have to pay to unlock your earnings. Learn the pattern and the red flags. Read guide](https://tapsafely.com/scams/task-job-scams)[### Fund-recovery scams After a scam, people are often targeted again by fake lawyers, hackers or agencies promising to recover lost money for a fee. Here's how to recognise them. Read guide](https://tapsafely.com/scams/recovery-scams) ## Websites, shopping & devices [### Is this website legit? How to check in two minutes Not sure a shop, bank page or booking site is real? Quick checks, from reading the web address to domain age, before you pay or log in. Read guide](https://tapsafely.com/scams/is-this-website-legit)[### Phishing links and fake login pages Learn the one skill that stops most scams: reading who really owns a link. With examples of look-alike addresses and fake login pages. Read guide](https://tapsafely.com/scams/phishing-links)[### Fake online shops Huge discounts, countdown timers and a shop that never delivers. How to check whether an online store is real before you pay. Read guide](https://tapsafely.com/scams/fake-online-shops)[### Marketplace buyer and seller scams Fake payment links, overpayments and couriers that never come. How marketplace scams target both sellers and buyers, and how to trade safely. Read guide](https://tapsafely.com/scams/marketplace-seller-scams)[### Rental and holiday booking scams A great flat at a low price, a landlord abroad and a deposit before viewing. How rental and holiday booking scams work and how to rent safely. Read guide](https://tapsafely.com/scams/rental-scams)[### Tech support and remote-access scams Pop-ups saying your computer is infected, or calls from "Microsoft". How tech support scams work and what to do if someone accessed your device. Read guide](https://tapsafely.com/scams/tech-support-scams)[### QR code scams (“quishing”) Fake QR codes stuck on parking meters or sent in emails can lead to phishing sites. How to scan safely. Read guide](https://tapsafely.com/scams/qr-code-scams) ## AI and new tricks [### Deepfake video scams AI can fake a face and voice on video. How deepfake ads, fake video calls and fake bosses are used to steal money, and how to verify who you see. Read guide](https://tapsafely.com/scams/deepfake-video-scams)[### AI voice-clone emergency calls Scammers can now copy a family member's voice with AI and call you with a fake emergency. Learn the signs and the simple family safe-word defence. Read guide](https://tapsafely.com/scams/ai-voice-clone-calls)[### Fake charity and disaster appeal scams After disasters and wars, fake charities appear within hours. Learn the signs of a fake appeal and how to check a charity before you donate. Read guide](https://tapsafely.com/scams/fake-charity-scams) [Brand alerts ### Fake messages from USPS, Royal Mail, PayPal, Amazon, HMRC and more What each organisation says it never asks for, its real web addresses and where to report a fake. See all brands](https://tapsafely.com/scams/brands) [Worldwide ### Scams by country Official figures, the scams to watch for and where to report in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, India, Singapore, Cyprus and more. Choose your country](https://tapsafely.com/scams-by-country) [Quiz ### Spot the scam: can you tell a fake? Ten real-world style messages. Test yourself in two minutes, then challenge your family. Take the quiz](https://tapsafely.com/spot-the-scam) Guides in other languages: [Español](https://tapsafely.com/es/) · [Português](https://tapsafely.com/pt/) · [Français](https://tapsafely.com/fr/) · [Deutsch](https://tapsafely.com/de/)