Results: Money Scams

Peer-to-Peer App Scams. With the increasing popularity of peer-to-peer payment apps, scammers have taken note and are always finding new and clever ways to attempt to separate you from your hard-earned money. The first thing you should do is make sure you're using a secure peer-to-peer payment app.

Phishing. This is the most common online scam and is used to trick victims into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords, bank account numbers, credit card details or Social Security numbers. Phishing scams often arrive in the form of emails or text messages that appear to be from legitimate sources, such as government agencies or banks.

Messages About Suspicious Activity. Some scammers impersonate your bank to alert you about so-called suspicious activity on your account and direct you to send money to yourself or the bank's address to reverse a transaction or to verify that the account is not frozen, according to the American Bankers Association. Be wary of these types of messages and always confirm directly with your bank before taking any suggested action.

Fake Charities. These scams often originate on social media, with criminals posting fake ads asking you to donate to a worthy cause. The ads usually include stolen images and stories to create a sense of urgency and make the appeals more realistic.