Scam Identification Guides: Learn to Spot Phishing, Fraud and Online Threats

Each guide focuses on a specific scam type. We explain the psychology behind the scam, show you what the fraudulent messages actually look like, and provide clear steps for both prevention and damage control. You will find real examples with identifying details removed so you can recognise the patterns yourself.

If you have received a suspicious message, start by using our instant scam checker tool for automated analysis. Then read the relevant guide for deeper context — especially important if you have already clicked a link or provided information.

For ongoing protection, bookmark a few guides covering the scam types you encounter most often. The tactics evolve, but the underlying patterns remain consistent.

Regardless of the specific scam, certain red flags appear consistently. Train yourself to pause whenever you notice these patterns:

• • Urgency without reason: Legitimate organisations give you time to verify important requests. Scammers create artificial deadlines.
• • Unusual payment methods: Gift cards, cryptocurrency, and wire transfers are irreversible — exactly why scammers prefer them.
• • Requests for security credentials: Banks and services never ask for passwords, PINs, or verification codes via email or text.
• • Mismatched sender details: The display name says one thing, but the actual email address or phone number does not match.
• • Links that do not match claims: Hover over links (without clicking) to see if the URL matches the organisation being impersonated.

Scammers exploit universal human psychology. They trigger fear of loss, create urgency to bypass rational thinking, and impersonate trusted authorities to lower your guard. These tactics work equally well whether the scammer is impersonating a bank in Europe, a delivery service in Asia, or a government agency in the Americas.

Understanding why scams work helps you resist them. When you feel rushed, frightened, or pressured to act immediately — that is exactly when you should slow down and verify through official channels.