Fraud attempts are typically accompanied by recurring red flags. Watch out for the following telltale red flags: Unusual transfer requests: Fraudsters may ask you to transfer money to yourself or request changes to payment instructions. Urgency: Criminals use urgency or invent emergencies to elicit an emotional response, thereby causing you to take hurried, less considered action. Grammatical errors: Altered email addresses and incoherent writing styles or misspellings within emails are a common sign of attempted fraud. Lofty promises: Fraudsters lure potential victims with promises of cash or high investment returns. If it sounds too good to be true, it is very likely a scam attempt. Contact from an unknown person: Imposters initiate random requests via text, email or social media. Watch out for common names, which are used to confuse their targeted victims.