Palm Beach County residents need to be on "high alert" to fraudulent online activity.  Scammers use elaborate stories to play on emotions and gain trust. Southeast Floridians and people across the country should be aware of some of the most common scams. There are many ways to measure the largest scams, but most measure them by the number of people affected and the total dollars scammed.  

Watch out for these warning signs.  Here are a few of the most common scams used on unsuspecting people.

Tech Support:

“We’ve detected malware on your computer. Let’s get that fixed for you. There will be a small cost associated to make your computer secure.”

Imposters:

“I’m with the IRS, and you owe back taxes. If not paid immediately, a lawsuit will be filed against you.

Lottery Winnings:

“Congratulations! You’ve won the lottery! We will need to collect taxes prior to your payment. I will send you the instructions to get this done.”

Online Romance:

“I want to meet you in person, but I can’t afford to travel. Can you send me money for a ticket?"

Investment Opportunity:

“You’ve registered to receive notifications on investment opportunities. Are you ready to invest? I have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”

Grandparent:

"Grandma, I'm in trouble— I need money fast."

Uncover scam emails easily here with USA.GOV.com.