Category

Social media scams

Reviewed reports filed as social media.

• Fake PAC or campaign donation page (ScamPAC)
  Scammers use a candidate's name, image, logo, or slogan to collect 'donations' for a political action committee or campaign they have no tie to. They keep the money, and AI-generated voices or images can make the pitch look even more real.
• Video-call sweepstakes or lottery 'win'
  Scammers have been using WhatsApp, FaceTime, and other video apps to tell people they won a sweepstakes or lottery. In reports to West Virginia's attorney general, the caller's screen was often black, so they could see you but you could not see them.
• Lookalike charity using a trusted group's name
  Around the holidays and after disasters, scammers copy the name of a real charity and ask for donations. A group that wants gift cards, cryptocurrency, or an instant payment through an unsolicited link is a warning sign.
• Viral 'tax hack' advice on social media
  Social media posts sometimes promise tax shortcuts or credits that most people do not qualify for. Following that advice can delay a refund or lead to penalties, and the IRS put misleading tax advice on its 2026 Dirty Dozen list.