ShouldEye Scam Intelligence

Scam Intelligence Index

Understand how scams work, recognize the warning signs, preserve evidence and know what to do next.

If money, account access or identity information may currently be at risk, stop communicating with the sender and preserve the evidence before taking further action.

Educational information only. ShouldEye does not provide legal, banking, or individualized financial advice. Dispute rights, deadlines, and outcomes depend on your payment method, card network, issuer, processor, jurisdiction, and the facts of your case. Legal Disclaimers

891 published scam and fraud definitions in this index

Ask EyeQ Check a suspicious messageFull glossary

Start here

Social Engineering and Impersonation

Phishing

Phishing is deceptive messaging that tricks people into revealing credentials, installing malware, or approving harmful actions.

Read full definition
Social Engineering and Impersonation

Pig Butchering Scam

A pig butchering scam combines relationship grooming with fake investment platforms that show illusory gains until victims cannot withdraw.

Read full definition
Social Engineering and Impersonation

Romance Scam

A romance scam builds a fake intimate relationship to solicit money, gifts, or financial access from the victim.

Read full definition
Social Engineering and Impersonation

Tech Support Scam

A tech support scam falsely claims a device has a problem and pushes remote access, paid “fixes,” or gift-card payments.

Read full definition
Messaging, Email and Telecom

SIM Swap

A SIM swap is moving a phone number to a new SIM or eSIM—legitimately or fraudulently—to intercept calls and SMS codes.

Read full definition
Crypto Scams

Wallet Drainer

A wallet drainer is malicious code or a phishing flow that tricks you into signing approvals or transactions that empty wallet assets.

Read full definition
Scams and FraudFinancial scam

Investment Scam

An investment scam promises unrealistic returns to lure victims into sending money for fake or manipulated investments.

Read full definition

Browse by scam family

891 matching entries

Scams and FraudConsumer situation

Account Taken Over

Account taken over is when someone else gains control of your email, shopping, banking, or subscription account without permission.

Read full definition
Social Media and Creator Economy

Account Takeover

Account takeover is gaining control of someone’s account through stolen credentials, malware, SIM swap, or social engineering.

Read full definition
Wire Fraud and Money-Transfer Scams

ACH Fraud

ACH fraud is unauthorized or deceptive use of Automated Clearing House credits or debits.

Read full definition
Gambling Fraud and Integrity

Advantage Play

Advantage play is using legal skill, observation, or mathematical edge to reduce the house advantage—without cheating devices or collusion.

Read full definition
Online Safety

Adware

Software that delivers unwanted advertising and may also track browsing or degrade device performance.

Read full definition
Gambling Fraud and Integrity

Affiliate Fraud

Affiliate fraud is deceptive traffic or conversion practices that steal commission from gambling operators or mislead players.

Read full definition
Market Manipulation and Investor Protection

Affinity Fraud

Affinity fraud targets members of a shared community—religious, ethnic, professional, or social—using trust inside the group.

Read full definition
Legal and ComplianceCompliance

Age Gate

A control that asks users to confirm age before accessing restricted content or purchases.

Read full definition
Market Manipulation and Investor Protection

AI Trading Scam

An AI trading scam markets automated “AI bots” or algorithms that supposedly generate guaranteed trading profits.

Read full definition
Scams and FraudAI-enabled fraud

AI-Generated Scam

An AI-Generated Scam uses generative AI to create deceptive text, images, voices, sites, or personas that look more polished and personalized.

Read full definition
People and Digital Identity

Alias

An alternate name, username, or identity label used by a person in addition to a primary legal name.

Read full definition
Payment Fraud

Allowlist

An allowlist (whitelist) explicitly trusts certain customers, BINs, devices, or IPs to bypass stricter checks.

Read full definition
Online SafetySecurity risk

API Key Leak

An API key leak is accidental publication of a secret token that can unlock paid services, private data, or admin actions.

Read full definition
Social Media and Creator Economy

Astroturfing

Astroturfing is faking grassroots support through paid or coordinated messages that hide their true sponsors.

Read full definition
Online SafetySecurity risk

Attack Surface

Attack surface is the set of exposed interfaces—apps, APIs, emails, and people—where an attacker can try to get in.

Read full definition
People and Digital IdentityIdentity risk

Audio Deepfake

An audio deepfake clones or synthesizes a voice to impersonate someone in calls, voicemails, or videos.

Read full definition
Shopping and EcommerceSubscription risk

Auto-Renewal

Auto-renewal is a subscription practice that charges again by default when a term ends unless the customer cancels.

Read full definition
People and Digital Identity

Background Check

A Background Check is a formal review of a person’s history—often criminal, employment, or credential records—under applicable legal rules.

Read full definition

Showing 60 of 891

Recently reviewed

Scam reporting resources

Prefer official consumer-protection and law-enforcement channels for your country. ShouldEye is not a law firm, bank, or recovery service.

Scam Intelligence Index

Educational information only. ShouldEye does not provide legal, banking, or individualized financial advice. Dispute rights, deadlines, and outcomes depend on your payment method, card network, issuer, processor, jurisdiction, and the facts of your case. Legal Disclaimers