Chapter 09
Protect yourself from scams
Most fraud starts with a message, not a hack: a text about a toll, a call from "your bank", a profile that wants to talk about crypto. These guides use the FTC's own report data to show which scams cost the most, how to recognise each one, and the first calls to make if money has already gone.
- Which scams cost Americans the most: FTC fraud report dataAmericans reported losing $15.9 billion to fraud in 2025, up from over $12 billion in 2024, according to the FTC. Investment scams caused about half of it; imposter scams were reported most often.Read the guide 5 min read
- Imposter scams: fake banks, government agents and "fraud departments"An imposter scam is someone pretending to be a company, agency or person you trust so you will send money or hand over information. It is the most reported fraud in the US, with over 1 million reports in 2025.Read the guide 5 min read
- Text message scams: unpaid tolls, package problems and "wrong number" textsMost scam texts want one of two things: a tap on a link that steals your card or login, or a reply that starts a longer con. Do not tap, do not reply, forward to 7726 and delete.Read the guide 5 min read
- Investment and crypto scams: "pig butchering", fake trading apps and WhatsApp groupsInvestment scams are the costliest fraud in the US: over $7.9 billion reported lost in 2025, about half of all fraud losses reported to the FTC. If someone you met online is guiding your investments, stop sending money.Read the guide 5 min read
- Tech support scams: fake virus pop-ups and "Microsoft" callsMicrosoft, Apple and real antivirus companies never put a phone number in a warning pop-up or call you out of the blue. If a screen tells you to call for help, it is a scam: close the browser and do not call.Read the guide 5 min read
- Romance scams: how to tell if an online match is realA romance scam is someone who builds an online relationship to get money. The clearest sign: a person you have never met in person asks for money, or steers you into an investment. Never send money to someone you only know online.Read the guide 4 min read