r/Scams

A user reports receiving daily SMS messages containing Microsoft verification codes from various numbers, including the official Microsoft number, without accompanying links. Despite contacting Microsoft and removing their number from accounts, the codes continue to arrive.

A 54-year-old father was scammed into purchasing multiple Kotak Life Insurance policies with excessively long maturity periods (40 and 60 years). One policy was canceled during the free look period, but another remains active. The submitter seeks guidance on filing a complaint with IRDAI for a refund.

Solminer.io is accused of fraudulent claims regarding its Paducah KY cryptomining operation, including false advertising of 2 MW power capacity, misleading electricity rates, and expired tax incentives. Engineering reports and utility data confirm the site's infrastructure and pricing do not meet advertised standards.

A scammer impersonated a court to pressure the victim into paying $4,000 via a 'federal bond kiosk' or facing arrest, using real officer and judge names to appear credible. Family members and a police officer confirmed the scam, highlighting red flags like no caller ID, cryptocurrency kiosks, and unsolicited court correspondence via text.

A victim in Vienna central station was scammed by a man who used a fake banking app to obtain their IBAN and cash. The scammer, described as a Hungarian man in his 30s with a black leather backpack, claimed to need cash for an international transfer that would arrive after an hour and requested a photo of his ID for 'assurance'.

A UK sister was scammed through TikTok, resulting in a nearly £200 phone bill. After contacting Boku and explaining the victim was a minor, the company refunded the money, which will appear on the next bill.

A user is receiving unsolicited one-time passwords (OTPs) from WesternU via Viber, WhatsApp, and SMS, despite not having an account with WesternU or Western Union. They have blocked messages on WhatsApp and SMS but cannot stop them on Viber due to business chat restrictions.

A user in Singapore paid a US$0.99 trial fee for TheBestPDF via Apple Pay with a DBS debit card, inadvertently signing up for a recurring subscription. After a declined US$39.95 charge and subscription cancellation, the user is concerned about owing the fee, potential debt collection, and whether replacing their DBS card would prevent future charges.

A user clicked a Reddit link to watch SpongeBob in Spanish, triggering popups claiming a virus infection and preventing system shutdown. They contacted a provided phone number (866-881-4764), shared personal information, and are questioning if the incident is a scam.

A 33-year-old Canadian man in Taipei is flying to Hong Kong/Shenzhen to meet a 40-year-old Chinese woman he met on a dating app. They communicate via WeChat translation, have discussed marriage, and the woman claims to be a wealthy entrepreneur with a teenage son. Concerns about a potential scam arise due to her lack of online presence, suspicious behavior, and his decision to travel to mainland China despite warnings.

The article details a scam where a CitiBank call claimed a fraudulent credit card was opened in the victim's name, leading to a fake FBI threat. The real FBI confirmed it's a scam, warning others to verify such calls.

A scammer based in Singapore contacted a victim via TikTok and WhatsApp, promoting a dropshipping business through the suspicious website conslinetisop.com. The scammer fabricated a story about running a beauty salon and living in affluent areas to gain trust before attempting to exploit the victim's personal information.

A college acquaintance with 100 mutual connections offered $500 to use a selfie in an art piece, claiming it would be sold for $2000. The user is cautious about accepting payment via Zelle and suspects a scam, later confirmed by others. The artist sent samples of their work but the user ultimately distrusts the arrangement.

A user received unexpected USPS notifications about a package they did not order, which was later picked up from the post office. They confirmed the issue via USPS Informed Delivery and email, suspecting mail fraud and potential identity compromise.

The user is receiving frequent unsolicited phone calls daily about loan options, despite no new credit inquiries or accounts appearing on their credit report. They suspect a delay in credit report updates and are using Samsung's AI call screening feature to manage these calls.

A person received a suspicious text with an official-looking case number and was contacted by individuals claiming to represent a company, demanding personal information. After verifying with the county clerk, they confirmed no new legal action existed against them, suspecting the interaction was a scam. The case number referenced a past year, and the individual refused to provide sensitive details like their date of birth.

A user claims to have been scammed by an adult content group on the app Session, where they performed five 1-hour sessions expecting payment after the fifth but received nothing. The user regrets trusting the group's admin, who assured them payment would follow the sessions.

A scam alert warns about a boat parts company on Facebook named 'Marineparts | River Road WA' that requested payments via Zelle or Chime without offering buyer protection. The company claimed to sell parts for a 2006 boat at a discounted price but refused PayPal G&S and provided suspicious payment details linked to a distant individual. The poster advises against using Zelle or Chime for online payments due to lack of refund protection.

A Reddit user reports receiving numerous GLP-1 scam text messages offering discounts and requesting replies to opt out. The messages are suspected to be scams, as the linked companies appear invalid, and the user fears responding might worsen the issue. The user notes they are the only one among their friends experiencing this.

A user sent gift cards to a friend outside the US due to banking difficulties, but the friend sold them for cash. The user is now concerned the friend may be involved in a scam and is unsure if their account could be compromised.