Scam Watch & Good Samaritans
Real stories of people who spotted, stopped, or reported scams — and verified resources to protect yourself and others.
Being scammed right now, or already lost money?
Stop all contact and report it immediately to an official authority. Find your reporting authority below.
Spotlight Stories
Accounts of people who caught a scam or helped a victim, reviewed by CSG.
Family Rescues Elderly Mother from a Romance Scammer
In Chattanooga, Tennessee, Debora helped rescue her elderly mother Ann, who had been manipulated by a romance scammer posing as a doctor stationed in Iraq. Trilogy Media assisted in exposing the scam.
As featured on Fox Nation's Scammed: Getting Even
PayPal Refund Scam Leads to a Law Enforcement Sting
Kay lost $53,000 in a PayPal refund scam. Trilogy Media worked with Arkansas law enforcement on a sting operation that led to a confrontation with the scammer.
As featured on Fox Nation's Scammed: Getting Even
Tracking Down a $500,000 Cryptocurrency Fraud
Alena's father was defrauded of $500,000 in a cryptocurrency scam. Trilogy Media's team worked to track the scammer.
As featured on Fox Nation's Scammed: Getting Even
How to Protect Yourself
Four simple habits stop most scams before they start.
Never share one-time codes
No genuine bank, agency, or company will ever ask you to read back a verification code.
Verify caller identity independently
Hang up and call the official number printed on your card or an official website — not a number they give you.
Don't act under urgency
Pressure to act "right now" is the biggest warning sign. Real institutions give you time to think.
Verify links before clicking
Hover to check the real address, or type the website in yourself. When in doubt, do not click.
Submit a Story
Know someone who caught a scam or helped a victim? Share their story. Submissions are reviewed by CSG before publication.
How to Spot a Scam
General warning signs to watch for.
- Unexpected urgency or pressure to act immediately.
- Requests for payment in gift cards or wire transfers.
- Unsolicited contact from someone claiming to be your bank or a government agency.
- Offers that seem too good to be true.
- Requests to keep the interaction secret from your family or friends.
Where to Report a Scam
Official organizations for reporting fraud and getting help. Report to your country's own authority — these are the people who can actually act on it.
Common Sense Global does not verify the legal outcome of any submitted story, only that CSG has reviewed and believes the account is genuine. This page is for awareness purposes and is not legal or financial advice. If you are currently being scammed or have lost money, contact the resources above directly.