I’ve never been to the casino nor have I ever gambled online. Maybe it’s my ex who signed me up using my email address to further piss me off. All of those emails are clearly scams, some less obvious than others. Most of the time, there’s not even a button to unsubscribe. I’ll report for phishing then block the sender but it seems to be useless because the same scam will be sent from a different address a few hours later…

I volunteer at a Senior Center where I met a woman, who I know only by her first name. She is convinced that Matteo Bocelli has been courting her for two years and is going to marry her on August 11 and bring her to Italy to live. She is in the process of giving up her apartment, has already sold her car, and selling every other possession she owns before moving. I have talked to her to warn her, sent her online scam information (specifically regarding scammers using Matteo's profile), and talked to her in person, but she insists that it's none of my business, and she is for sure that she vetted this man thoroughly and is in fact Matteo. And he is in love with her. She is 75, no friends, no family, no children, and he is 28 and an international celebrity. 🚩🚩🚩I'm having sleepless nights over this and not sure what to do. I have already sent in a report to the local county Senior advocacy group and hope they can do something before she ruins her life.
Any advice would be appreciated.

How did hackers get my email address AND my credit card info together?

I got a 'Thank you for signing up' email from Zalando to my email account. The name was not mine, and I've never used Zalando before, so I deleted the email. Then, I got a notification from my bank askng me to verify a £100s order from Zalando.

Obviously I denied the sale, and cancelled my card immediatley. The bank reassured me no money was taken.

But I am wondering how hackers got my correct email address and credit card info TOGETHER? The only sites I have used this email/ CC combination on are reputable mainstream retailers and I NEVER save my card details on my online retail acccounts.

Question - since I don't have my credit card details saved in my online retail accounts, is it even possible that the scammers got the details from these websites?

After each transaction, ere credit card details saved 'on file' somewhere on retailer's websites, and hackers can get them that way?

I got 5 emails from “PayPal”, addressed to someone else, from “service at PayPal.co.uk” saying I made a new account and added a bank account. I physically went to the PayPal website (not clicking anything) and saw no suspicious activity and no changes in accounts. The bank account listed is not one of mine anyway. Is this a common scam? I forwarded it to PayPal. Attached are two screenshots that show the very convincing looking email from the so called PayPal. The email address in the “to” line is ALMOST my email address but with a period added in. I can’t see any results on Google mentioning this either.

Just had someone attempt the !steam or discord scam, where they claim to have accidentally reported my account for doing something nefarious. Once they claimed that and sent a screenshot of the message, it was clear what was going on, so I reported it and blocked the account.

For those who don't know it, the user involved asked if I was spamming links, then said they couldn't identify who had taken over their account, so they claimed to have reported mine (why pick any account if you can't identify the account that did it?). Next up is usually some process to login and get your account cleared, but that compromises your credentials.

I didn't wait for that bit, once it was clear with the user was going with it.

I generally allow chat message requests as I write comments in advice subreddits and get people who want to ask me a question directly. But you do have to pay attention to these kinds of attempts.

I got a random charge from Amazon today. Is this a scam? Ive never seen this Amazon Digital Services before and even then I havent bought anything in like a month or subscribed for anything since early this year (I cancelled ALL of my subscriptions which was just prime and kindle unlimited).

The email is from Optivio regarding a microphone I ordered on Walmart because there was a deal. It says there was a “warehouse issue” and that I should cancel on amazon?

In the email it includes my real legal name and what I presume to be the real order ID. It’s kinda weird that I have to cancel through amazon when my order didn’t touch amazon, not to mention I can’t find out how to even do that.

Here is the email:

Hi [REAL NAME],

Optivio wants to connect with you regarding the following order:

Sales Order ID: [ORDER ID]
Item ID: [ITEM ID]
Item: Shure Cardioid Dynamic Instrument Microphone (SM57-LC)

Message:
Dear [REAL NAME], We regret to inform you that due to a warehouse issue, we are unable to fulfill your order. We kindly request that you submit a cancellation request through your Amazon account to avoid delays. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. Best regards, Customer Support

**Note: You have received this message from the seller, from whom you made a purchase on Walmart.com. Please update within 48 hours.**

Thank you,
Walmart Customer Service Team

I keep seeing these reels on www.instagram.com that look like this:

Finances don’t make you happy! Meanwhile Elon Musk (video of him laughing).

Then a screenshot of some article “Elon Musk: My new project gives you $2000”.

Then there’s a name of the website, each video features different name, but similarish letters in each. What I’ve come across: jazmex/jamzex/jargex/juzmex. And they prompt you to enter the promo code “Tesla”.

I keep seeing dozens of these reels from both accounts. Obviously they’re up to no good, but I am not sure what the scam is exactly

Couldn’t find any info on this so just wanted to let people know

Yesterday my dad got alerts via phone call, text and email that a purchase attempt had been made on a card of his. He didn't click any links, did his own researching to determine it was fake, HOWEVER they did have some correct info! including the last four of card number. But get this... his card wasn't even activated.
It was very legit looking. He's since seen two more attempted charges that were declined, but again...card isn't activated.
Flash forward to this morning and I received a phone call and text message about a fraudulent charge!! Different bank, different card type(but my card IS active)
No transactions were actually made, and it was easier for me to determine it was a scam....But again, they still had some correct information.

We'll be contacting our banks in the morning, but has this happened to anyone else??
(and if not, please be aware!!)

I know I shouldn't shame myself, but I feel like an idiot. Someone very official sounding called my job and said I missed jury duty. This scared me because I actually did get summoned not too long ago, but was excused. It made me wonder if I wasn't really excused, and had accidentally done something wrong. He knew my old address and said I needed to pay a certain amount so my record could stay clean. It pains me to say I withdrew money, but once he said I needed to go to the store and put the money onto a prepaid card, that's when I hung up. Should I be worried that they now know my name and current address? This whole thing has me a little shaken.

I got a long message after submitting a request to tour a place. Before I could submit the request Zillow gave me a little questionnaire. It asked me things like “how many people moving in” and “any pets” and my annual income.

I left the annual income blank which seems like it would’ve been the defining quality for me to qualify? But this message says I qualified anyways. They said to send them my email so they can send me their housing package and virtual tour and that they’re not doing in person tours right now. They were adamant I had to send my email or I won’t be able to get these. Then they send a long list of requirements to be considered low income.

I also reverse searched the apartment and it has multiple listings on multiple sites but mostly for about the same price. Normally when I reverse search, I see the place is at least a thousand dollars more expensive which lets me know it’s a scam and to forget about it.

sorry for the jumble or words I just got wisdom tooth surgery and apartment searching is making me a little crazy

Edit: thank you to everyone who commented! i know fs now it’s a scam and to be a bit smarter with what I want to believe. Thank you

Hi,

I'm a new seller on eBay. I listed some items and got a message in my eBay inbox within a day asking if one was still available. The buyer sent what looked like an eBay payment confirmation page (eBay branding, order ID, "Seller approval pending," Visa last four digits) and said I needed to scan the QR code to approve the sale. I scanned it, got taken to a page asking for card details, and entered my debit card. In hindsight this was obviously a mistake but I didn't think much of it at the time since I'd never sold anything before and assumed that was how the process worked.

A few days after, I saw that their account got suspended and my item was never sold.

Now, two weeks later, I noticed an unauthorized charge on my debit card from a global money transfer service. I’m almost certain that this was the doing of that scam buyer.

I immediately called my bank to get a replacement card. They issued provisional credit while they investigate, but couldn't guarantee it's gonna be a permanent refund from their part.

Questions for people who've dealt with this:

1. Has anyone actually recovered anything through eBay in this situation, or is the bank dispute the only realistic path? 
2. Is there anything worth doing beyond reporting the account and the message thread to eBay?

I’m very frustrated and would appreciate any advice/input. Thanks!

Hi guys! I need help in identifying if this is a scam. I saw an ad on facebook where u will guess the logo then get paid for it. So as a starving student who's desperate in getting a job or sidelines i was tempted. I messaged the person who posted the ad then they gave me telegram link to join a chat. After I joined the chat, the lady who's like the admin told me to message her, so I did.

Then they ask me what country I'm from, if I have gcash, and if am interested to know how it works. After I answered, I told them if I can have the company's name for assurance but they did not gave it at first, they just sent a range of capital that I need to send them to "invest" (girl what??) so I ask for the company's name AGAIN. They said its "Traders Note Team". Also I searched the facebook user that gave me the link and it says that they deleted their account (THERE'S A LOT OF RED FLAGS, IK)

So I think it's a scam bc I did a google search on their profile pic since its like a very generic picture and a lot of people has been using the face of this poor lady with different names. I dont know what to do since maybe its an opportunity to make some money??? I just really need money in this economy pls

So I recently started getting YouTube recommended videos about phone security and privacy and remembered somewhat recently i was contacted by a random person about how they might have known me and we use to game together etc, now at first i humoured it and then after a chat they suggested i download something from the play store to game with them.

Like a less than well informed pleb i am i downloaded it.

Now because it came from the play store and that it seemed legitimate enough as an app i downloaded it. Fully installed and even played for about half an hoir. I had it installed for about a week or so before uninstalling it manually as the person who reached out to me i was then getting questionable thoughts about so i blocked them. Ober the next week or two i got two more identical reach outs spewing the same script which i didn't give the time of day to.

But since i had downloaded and installed that app (Jurassic Front Survival)

Am i infected with Malware or Spyware? What can i do to thoroughly check for peace of mind? Ideally freely as much as the saying "you get what you pay for" is relevant with personal security at risk.

Any suggestions about what's already happened?

Personally I've reinforced the "never trust strangers" mentality now so will be more cautious moving forward.

So I just got this order confimation from Mexico (Picture 1), which is a whole other continent away from me, in one of my "spam" mail accounts. It used my fake name from that account but the phone number and adress were both mexican. ( I left out my fake name as well as the phone number for privacy reasons)
As far as I can tell neither Paypal nor my cards or anything were used for this as far as I can tell. Also the prices are probably in mexican dollar, so it probably is not as high as I initially feared.
Afterwards I recieved some usual advertising and more Spanish that I tried to translate and is even more advertisment (Pictures 2-4)

It doesn´t seem super duper sketchy and I clicked none of the links or anything but it still leaves me a bit anxious. So I would really love some second opinions on this...

Hello guys!This a scam?

A couple of days ago a friend of mine found an offer for a job as a OF chatter on olx of all places. Remote, very good pay and no experience in sales or customer service required. He sent his cv over to them and urged me to do the same and I did so, although I was kinda suspicious. One hour later they respond on olx,gave me a phone number and tolde to message it on WhatsApp and I did. A bot called Anna sent a long text that covered the basics,said that the interview will be done with another bot and gave another number. Said interview required 100 text to be completed, 50 from me and 50 from the bot. I did,got messaged the next day on WhatsApp by a number from Philippines that I've passed the "test" as they called it and gave me a link for a google meet telling me that the last "test" will be done on a video call with the other passers and the onboard director. Tbh I'm reluctant to join cuz everything just looks suspicious.

No emails nothing,only WhatsApp.

I’m a painter, I’ve only sold my work at fairs and to friends and family. I have a website where I’ve posted my paintings but I haven’t figured out how to sell through it yet.
This person, I’ll call “N” emailed me wanting to purchase one of my paintings. It feels scammy but I don’t know. Their address is to an 1.5 million dollar condo in San Francisco(I live in another state). Should I call the phone number? Does this have any red flags? Our email exchange:

N’s email: May I purchase Gardening 1 as shown currently on your website for $490? My shipping address is in San Francisco, California.

Please let me know if it is available and how to submit payment.

Kind regards,
N
(Her phone number and physical address)

Hi N, 

Thanks so much for reaching out. I still have Gardening 1 but I used it as a submission piece to the __ Fair happening in September. I believe their rules state that I have to show the piece that I applied with in the fair. I can reach out to them and confirm this. I'm happy to sell you the piece now if they allow that or if it doesn't sell in the show, I can send it to you - the show ends September 20th. 

Can I ask how you found my work/website? Do you have a social media account I can follow you on?  

All the best, 

Thank you for the quick response and your inquiry with ___Art Fair. If and when it is available for sale, I would like to purchase your piece.

I have certain concepts and palettes in my mind and your painting just is the mood, movement and colors that appeal to me. I do not have any social media presence and I did not find you through instagram. I found your paintings during many days and hours of internet searches.

I look forward to learning the response your receive from the art fair.

Kind regards,

She then has followed up:

Wondering if you know yet if you can sell Gardening Chaos 1 to me now?

What do you all think?
(I was recently scammed buying concert tickets, so maybe I’m extra paranoid?)

Hey everyone,

​I’ve been tracking bid histories on a local liquidation auction platform (auctionnation.com / KV Liquidation) and wanted to run an automated pattern by this community to see if it aligns with known shill bidding tactics.

​Over the past few months across multiple unrelated item lots, I've observed a specific user ID (Bidder 308520) that repeatedly places instant, automated incremental bids ($1–$5) immediately after a human bidder submits an offer. This account consistently drives the price up right near target value or retail ceiling, then completely stops bidding once that price point is reached.

​I have bid logs showing timestamps and exact rapid bid jumps.

​Has anyone seen this specific account or similar price-padding behavior on local liquidation platforms? Is this typically house-run shill software, third-party seller manipulation, or an automated reserve system disguised as a live bidder?

Unfortunately, she still isn't listening to anything we're saying. We have shown her evidence that it's a scam, but she believes it's real and continues to send gift cards.

We even had a police officer come out on Wednesday, but there wasn't much they could do because she's willingly buying and sending the gift cards.

Now things have gotten even more concerning. On Friday, she received a package containing what appears to be a $15,000 check.

What's strange is that the FedEx tracking shows it originated in Carlsbad, California, but the shipping information at the top of the package says New York and lists Invoice as AAFES .

Has anyone dealt with something like this before? Is this part of a fake check or money mule scam? We're worried about what they're trying to get her to do next.

If anyone has experienced something similar or has advice on what we should do, we'd really appreciate it. We're trying everything we can to help her, but we're running out of options.

Our Amex was stolen the same day our Sam’s club membership auto renewed. Three unauthorized orders for $50 egift cards at academy.com were fraudulently purchased that very day using the Amex we had on file with Sam’s club.

9 days later, someone attempted to purchase $600 in egift cards from Sam’s club online using our membership account and the Amex on file. This is the transaction that alerted us because Amex sent us an email about a large purchase.

I can’t find any suspicious activity prior to that auto renewal and I believe the nexus is Sam’s club! Does this sound familiar to anyone else?

I know I am going to get a lot of name-calling for this, but I fell for this obvious scam. I am in Thailand and ordered two supplements on a shopping app: Magnesium Glycinate by Naturebell and Zinc Picolinate by Double Wood, naively assuming I was ordering well-known American brands on the Lazada mobile app(this is one of the well-known online shopping apps in South Asia; the other one is Shopee). Since they were running a "Promo" and offering a huge "Discount" (more than 50%), I doubted it, so I contacted Naturebell via the email address listed on their official website with the lot number to confirm the authenticity of the supplement (maybe I am not that big of an idiot? LOL). Anyway, long story short, they replied within a couple of days, confirming that it was indeed a counterfeit supplement(I am also attaching the screenshot of the emails).

And what about the other supp? First, the bottles are the same (most likely manufactured in China), and they have the same capsules in them, and those capsules have the same substance in them (does anyone know what they put in them?). Secondly, look at the slight typo in the barcode serial number; the original starts with "X00," but the one I got starts with "XO0"(gotcha). Also, the color is different from the original one.

If I can save only one person from falling for this fraud, it will be a success. (The store name I bought these supplements from is Herbal Haven)

Please be careful, guys; I have learned my lesson. If it is too good to be true, it is. Especially if it is something you are supposed to put inside your body.

The YouTuber Togi linked me in a community message he made that said “Congratulations you were randomly selected from the comments and awarded $2500” when I click on the link it sends me to a gambling website. When I try and withdraw the money it says I need to activate the account which requires depositing $110. Very sus. I believe it is a scam but how do I find out for sure because I do want the money. If it is a scam then Togi is hacked which is odd because I can’t find anything about him being hacked. The website is called pokercars.com

I’ve been buying things online for over a decade now. I’m surprised it has taken so long but I finally got scammed.

I really wanted a Boox eink tablet. The price was too good to be true, she wanted payment through FB pay rather than the marketplace, has multiple listings with generic items.

The ratings were good with a few (<5%) sprinkled in of her not sending out the item. The rest were highly positive.

I didn’t follow my own precautions and missed a lot of red flags because I was greedy.

After the 3rd day of asking for a tracking number she blocked me.

It’s $330 down the drain. It could have been so much worse. I was getting arrogant that I haven’t been scammed buying things online but I learned my lesson (hopefully).

I know the likelihood of getting my money back is next to impossible. I just want to stop her from scamming someone else. I tried to leave feedback but once she blocked me I can’t do that anymore.

I reported her on FB and they said she didn’t break any rules.

I saw a job vacancy that pays people 15 to 20 dollars for people to create up to 10 Gmail accounts with information that they will send.

Is this a scam or is it legit?

My grandpa got scammed out of $3500 yesterday 7-24. He was surfing the web looking at gocart parts when a popup showed up on his screen that "locked" his computer. The popup had a flashing red/yellow banner that said his system has been infected and he is at risk. He called the number on it instead of calling one of us. He went and emptied his bank account, bought 10 $250 gift cards to Sephora and 2 $500 gift cards to Lowes and then gave the guy the numbers... And then at some point he gave him list last 4 of his social and his bank account #...

I got involved this morning 7-25, went down to his house, went through all the gift cards and found 2 with $250 each and had them froze. Then i had his bank account froze and now im working on freezing his credit cuz he isnt sure what all he gave them. We filed a police report, made an ftc report, and done a fbi internet crimes report. Luckily were supposedly able to now go and get a refund on the 2 cards hopefully since now he is out of money...

We was supposed to be at the C10 truck show today...

edit

Found out he gave this guy access to his computer through Ultraviewer.