Scam alerts · Updated 21 October 2026
Scams to watch this week
8 scam patterns that agencies in the US, the UK and India are warning about right now. Each one has a made-up example, the pressure tactic it uses, what to do, and a link to check a message of your own. We refresh the list every week.
Midterm election texts, fake donation pages and "election bets"
Scammers are using the 3 November midterms: texts saying you're not registered that lead to a page asking for personal details, fake political committees that keep the donations, campaign merchandise that never arrives, "investment pools" that pay out if a candidate wins, and AI-generated voices of candidates.
Our records show you are NOT registered to vote on Nov 3. Fix it in 2 minutes before the deadline tonight: link removed. Reply STOP to opt out.
The tactic
What to do
- Check your registration by typing vote.gov into your browser yourself, not through a link in a message.
- Treat a donation as a gift, never an investment. Look up a committee on the FEC's website before giving.
- Nobody can sell you a share of an election result. Ignore any "pool" that promises returns if a candidate wins.
"Police" calls that show a real police number
Report Fraud says more people are reporting calls from criminals pretending to be from police forces across the country. The caller ID can show a real police number, and some callers give a convincing crime reference number.
This is Detective Sergeant Hale from the fraud unit. We've arrested someone using your bank card. Your crime reference is CR-48213. Don't tell your bank yet, the staff there may be involved. We need your help to catch them today.
The tactic
Authority pressure, Isolation and secrecy
What to do
- End the call. Contact the police or your bank using a number you find yourself, from another phone if you can, or wait a few minutes first.
- Real police won't ask you to move money, withdraw cash, buy gold or hand anything to a courier.
- If you paid or shared bank details, call your bank straight away: 159 reaches most UK banks.
"Pay now or be arrested": fake officials, jury duty and expiring licences
The FBI counted nearly 61,000 complaints and more than $1.6 billion lost between January 2025 and July 2026 to people posing as police, judges and federal agents. They claim you're linked to a crime, missed jury duty, or that your passport, driving or professional licence is about to lapse, and they demand a payment.
This is Deputy Ward with the county sheriff's office. You missed jury service on the 14th and a warrant has been issued. You can clear it today with a payment of $1,850. Stay on the line, and don't discuss this case with anyone.
The tactic
Authority pressure, Fear framing, Isolation and secrecy
What to do
- Hang up. Courts and police don't demand payment by phone or send arrest warrants by text or email.
- Look up the agency's number yourself and call it to check.
- Payment by gift card, crypto, a courier, a crypto kiosk or a wire transfer is a scam every time.
Deepfake videos of leaders promising government money
I4C has warned about social media ads using AI-made videos of the Prime Minister, the Finance Minister and chief ministers to promote fake welfare schemes, cashback and spin-to-win rewards. Victims are asked for "tax" or processing fees, approve UPI collect requests, or enter their UPI PIN to "receive" the money.
[Video of a well-known minister] "Every family will get ₹15,000 under the new festive relief scheme. Only 500 places left in your state. Message us on WhatsApp to register, a small processing fee applies."
The tactic
Too good to be true, Authority pressure, Manufactured scarcity
What to do
- You never need to enter your UPI PIN to receive money. A PIN only ever sends money out.
- Check any scheme on an official government website you type in yourself, not through the ad.
- Lost money? Call 1930 straight away or report it at cybercrime.gov.in.
Source: I4C (Ministry of Home Affairs), “Advisory on fake welfare-scheme ads using deepfake videos, 19 October 2026”, as reported by Deccan Herald, 19 October 2026
"Your parcel is held, update your address" texts
The government has repeatedly called out fake India Post SMS messages asking people to update their address through a link. The link leads to a lookalike page that asks for card details or a one-time code, or a tiny "redelivery fee". With Diwali orders and gifts on the way, expect more of these.
Post: Your package has arrived at our warehouse but could not be delivered due to an incomplete address. Update your address within 24 hours or it will be returned: link removed
The tactic
What to do
- Don't tap the link. Check the tracking number on the courier's or shop's own app or website.
- India Post doesn't ask you to update your address through an SMS link.
- Report the SMS on Sanchar Saathi (Chakshu). If you paid, call 1930.
"Update your KYC or your account will be blocked"
The RBI has warned that KYC fraud usually starts with an unexpected call, SMS or email that threatens to freeze or close your account, then asks for personal details, login details or a one-time code, or gets you to install an app from a link.
Dear customer, your bank account will be BLOCKED today due to pending KYC. Update now to avoid suspension: link removed or install the KYC app. Call number removed for help.
The tactic
Fear framing, Impersonation, False urgency
What to do
- Don't click links or install apps from the message. Contact your bank through its official app, website or branch.
- Never share your PIN, password, OTP or card details, whoever asks.
- Report suspicious calls and messages on Sanchar Saathi (Chakshu). Lost money? Call 1930.
Health insurance ads that look like Medicare or HealthCare.gov
Open Enrollment for Medicare and the Marketplace brings paid search ads with official-looking logos and web addresses close to government ones. Calling the number can lead to a plan that isn't real health insurance, or to medical identity theft.
Sponsored · Official 2027 Health Plans: Enrollment Closing Soon. $0 premium plans for your ZIP code. Call now to lock in your rate: number removed
The tactic
What to do
- Type Medicare.gov or HealthCare.gov into your browser yourself and scroll past anything marked Ad or Sponsored.
- Check the address ends in .gov before you enter anything.
- For free, unbiased help comparing plans, contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).
Fake "FBI" agents offering to get your money back
Scammers target people who've already lost money, posing as FBI or IC3 staff on Messenger, Telegram, email or phone, and even using AI deepfake videos of FBI leaders that point to a spoofed complaint site. The "recovery" is a second scam.
Hello, I'm Special Agent Reyes with the FBI cyber unit. Your complaint has been reviewed and $12,400 of your lost funds have been located. To release them, update your case details here: link removed. A recovery fee applies.
The tactic
Impersonation, Too good to be true
What to do
- The IC3 never contacts people directly, has no social media accounts and never charges to recover money.
- File complaints only by typing ic3.gov into your browser. Skip sponsored search results.
- Never pay anyone who promises to recover lost money.
If you already paid or shared details
Call your bank on the number on your card straight away and ask it to stop the payment. In India, call the National Cyber Crime Helpline on 1930. Change any password you typed in and turn on two-step sign-in. Then report it, even if you didn't lose money: how to report a scam lists the official places in the US, India, the UK, Canada and Australia.
How we choose these alerts
Every alert starts from an official warning, and each card links to its source and date. We rewrite each pattern in plain language, make up an example that shows how it reads, and name the pressure tactic behind it, so you can recognise the next version too. Examples never include real phone numbers, links or web addresses. Spotted a pattern we should add? Email contact@kindnesscommunityfoundation.com.
Got something that looks like one of these?
Paste the message, or upload a screenshot, PDF or voice note. The Pressure Check names the tactics, quotes the words that show them and suggests a calm next step. Free, no account needed.
Run a free Pressure CheckQuestions
Where do these scam alerts come from?
From official warnings: the FTC and the FBI's IC3 in the US, Report Fraud and the National Cyber Security Centre in the UK, and I4C, the RBI, the Department of Telecommunications and other government sources in India. Each alert links to its source and its date.
Are the example messages real?
No. Every example is made up to show the pattern, based on what the official warning describes. They never include real phone numbers, links or web addresses, so there's nothing in them to tap or call.
How often is this page updated?
Every week. Patterns that have faded are removed and new ones added, and the date at the top shows when the list was last checked.
I got one of these. What should I do?
Don't tap links, call numbers or reply in the message. Check with the organisation using details you find yourself. If you paid or shared bank details, call your bank straight away, and in India call 1930. Then report it: see how to report a scam for your country.
Can I check a message that isn't on this list?
Yes. Paste it or upload a screenshot into the free Pressure Check. It names the pressure tactics and scam signs in any text, email, call recording or ad, quotes the exact words and suggests a calm next step.