Someone asks you to pay using gift cards, money transfer services, cryptocurrency, or a wire to an unfamiliar account.
Real institutions take checks, cards, and bank transfers through their own portals. They do not take Apple gift cards. The IRS does not. Your utility does not. Your grandchild’s lawyer does not. Microsoft does not.
The reason scammers love these payment methods is the same reason you should distrust them. Once the money is gone, it is gone. There is no chargeback, no recall, no fraud department to call.
A physical letter or check arrives saying you've won a sweepstakes, and all you have to do is pay a processing fee or taxes upfront.
A caller claiming to be from your power, gas, or water company says your service will be cut off within the hour unless you pay immediately.
A recorded or live call claiming you owe back taxes and a warrant is being issued unless you pay immediately, usually with gift cards or a wire.
A caller says they're refunding you money, 'accidentally' sends too much, and asks you to send the difference back.
Cloned voice, hurried tone, asks for bail money on gift cards. The script is the same on every call.