SpamWatch

Scams reported in the news that SpamWatch recognizes, even with new links or numbers.

• Fake “Desenrola Brasil” debt renegotiation BR

  In Desenrola 3.0 individuals do not sign up anywhere — creditors offer debts to the government. Messages asking you to register, send data or pay a fee are fraud, often from throwaway domains like desenrolabrasil427455.com.

  Delete it. Check your debts only in your bank's official app or gov.br.

• Fake FGC guarantee payout (after the FGC data breach) BR

  After the FGC's official data-breach notice (Oct 2026), scammers use leaked names and CPFs to promise a fast guarantee payout if you pay a 'release fee' via Pix, click a link or install an app. The FGC never charges fees to pay guarantees.

  Do not pay or click. Check only at fgc.org.br typed by hand or the official FGC app; official emails come only from @fgc.org.br.

• Fake Correios customs / delivery fee BR

  SMS and email say a package is held and ask for a small 'tax' via Pix or card on a lookalike site.

  Track packages only in the official Correios app or site. Never pay through a link.

• Fake Receita Federal CPF / tax refund alert BR

  Messages say your CPF is irregular, will be cancelled, or a refund (IRPF) is waiting, then ask for data or a payment (DARF, Pix).

  Check only at gov.br or the official Receita Federal app. Receita does not send payment links by SMS or WhatsApp.

• Fake “Valores a Receber” (forgotten money) BR

  Scammers say you have forgotten money and ask for a fee or bank password. The real Central Bank service never charges or sends links.

  Check only at valoresareceber.bcb.gov.br typed by hand.

• Fake bank security centre / suspicious Pix BR

  A message or call says a suspicious purchase or Pix was made and asks you to call a number, install an app or confirm a code.

  Hang up. Call the number on the back of your card or open your bank app yourself.

• Fake Detran / CNH traffic fine or licence suspension BR

  SMS claims an unpaid fine, IPVA or licence suspension with a discount if you pay by Pix today.

  Check fines only in the Carteira Digital de Trânsito app or your state Detran site.

• Fake INSS pension / benefit notice BR

  Messages say your benefit will be cut or you have a refund, asking for data, a selfie or a fee.

  Use only the Meu INSS app or call 135.

• Fake Serasa “clean your name” offer BR

  Fake offers promise to clear your debts with a huge discount if you pay a boleto or Pix right away.

  Open the official Serasa app yourself and check the creditor's name before paying anything.

• Fake Caixa / Bolsa Família / FGTS payment BR

  Messages promise a benefit, FGTS withdrawal or 'auxílio' and ask you to register on a link or pay to release it.

  Use only the official Caixa Tem, FGTS or Bolsa Família apps.

• Fake SAT (Mexico) tax notice LATAM

  Emails claim an invoice (CFDI), audit or debt and attach a ZIP or link that installs malware.

  Log in only at sat.gob.mx typed by hand. Do not open attachments.

• Fake AFIP / ARCA (Argentina) tax notice LATAM

  Messages warn of a tax debt, embargo or blocked CUIT and ask you to pay or log in through a link.

  Use only the official ARCA site or app you open yourself.

• Fake Mercado Libre / Mercado Pago alert LATAM

  Fake purchase, blocked account or prize messages lead to a lookalike login page.

  Open the official app yourself to check purchases and messages.

• Fake Agencia Tributaria (Spain) refund or fine ES

  Messages promise a tax refund or warn of a sanction and ask for card details on a fake site.

  Check only at sede.agenciatributaria.gob.es typed by hand.

• Fake DGT (Spain) traffic fine SMS ES

  SMS says you have an unpaid fine with a discount if paid now through a link.

  The DGT notifies through the DEV/DEHú electronic address, not SMS links. Check at sede.dgt.gob.es.

• Fake bank / Bizum security alert (Spain) ES

  SMS that appears in your bank's real thread says a suspicious payment was made and asks you to log in or call.

  Banks never ask for codes by SMS. Open the bank app yourself.

• Fake IRS refund or tax debt US

  Texts and emails promise a refund or threaten arrest over back taxes, asking for card, gift card or crypto payment.

  The IRS first contacts you by postal mail and never texts payment links. Check at irs.gov.

• Fake HMRC tax rebate (UK) UK

  Messages say you are owed a tax rebate or face a penalty and link to a fake GOV.UK page.

  HMRC never sends refund links by text or email. Sign in at gov.uk yourself.

• Fake CRA / ATO / myGov tax refund GLOBAL

  Canadian and Australian tax-office impersonations promise refunds or threaten fines via links.

  Log in only through canada.ca or my.gov.au typed yourself.

• Unpaid toll SMS scam GLOBAL

  Huge SMS waves claim an unpaid road toll and threaten fines unless you pay through a link.

  Log in to your toll account through its official app or a site you type yourself.

• Parcel redelivery / address fee scam GLOBAL

  A courier name (USPS, DHL, Royal Mail, DPD, GLS, Correos, Magyar Posta…) is used to request a small fee or 'address update'.

  Use the courier's official app with the tracking number from the shop.

• Fake Netflix / Amazon / Apple account suspension GLOBAL

  Messages say your payment failed or account is on hold and link to a lookalike login page to steal card details.

  Open the app or type the site yourself to check your account.

• Fake PayPal invoice / payment request GLOBAL

  A fake invoice for a purchase you didn't make urges you to call a 'support' number to cancel.

  Never call numbers in the invoice. Log in to PayPal yourself.

• Fake Geek Squad / Norton / McAfee renewal GLOBAL

  An 'auto-renewal' receipt for hundreds of dollars pushes you to call, then asks for remote access to 'refund' you.

  Ignore it. Never install remote-access apps for a caller.

• Fake mailbox storage / password expiry GLOBAL

  Emails claim your mailbox is full or your password expires and link to a fake Microsoft/Google login page.

  Open Outlook or Gmail directly to check storage or security.

• Online “task job” scam GLOBAL

  Recruiters on WhatsApp/Telegram pay small amounts for liking videos or reviews, then ask you to deposit money to unlock bigger tasks.

  Real employers never ask you to pay. Block and report the contact.

• Crypto / investment “guaranteed returns” scam GLOBAL

  A new 'friend', mentor or wrong-number contact shows big profits on a platform, then your deposits can't be withdrawn (pig butchering).

  Guaranteed returns are a red flag. Never send crypto to someone you met online.

• Sextortion “I hacked your camera” email GLOBAL

  A mass email claims to have recorded you and demands bitcoin, sometimes quoting an old leaked password to seem real.

  Do not pay or reply. Change any password it mentions and enable two-step sign-in.

• Inheritance / lottery advance-fee fraud GLOBAL

  A stranger offers millions from an inheritance, lottery or fund transfer, then asks for fees to release it.

  You can't win a lottery you never entered. Don't reply or send money.

• Boss / CEO gift-card request GLOBAL

  Someone posing as your manager asks you to buy gift cards urgently and send the codes.

  Confirm by calling your manager on a known number. Gift-card payments are a classic scam.

• Fake Hungarian tax office (NAV) refund EU

  Messages in NAV's name promise a tax refund (adó-visszatérítés) and ask for card details.

  Use only the official NAV / Ügyfélkapu+ portals you type yourself.