Synonyms of scam

scam

noun

ˈskam 

as in fraud

an instance of the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value

that's just a scam to bilk insurance companies for staged accidents

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fraud
• swindle
• hoax
• con
• scheme
• flimflam
• sting
• shell game
• bunco
• device
• trick
• hustle
• fiddle
• counterfeit
• racket
• cross
• Ponzi scheme
• pyramid scheme
• ploy
• rip-off
• fix
• stratagem
• sham
• forgery
• fake
• jig
• dodge
• gouging
• gimmick
• overcharging
• phony
• wile
• soaking
• sleight
• humbug
• three-card monte
• thimblerig

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of scam

This year’s summit is focused on emerging scams aimed at tax professionals, core security safeguards, and steps to take if a data theft occurs. — Rhett Buttle, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about tap-to-pay scams that can let criminals steal money directly from your bank account. — Jason St. Angelo, USA Today, 30 July 2026

Respondents said fraud is also rising, with phone scams (69 percent), loyalty fraud (51 percent) and gift card theft or fraud (42 percent) increasing. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 30 July 2026

Alexandre François, the WhoisXML API domain scam researcher behind the study, told CyberGuy that AI can help operators build convincing websites quickly and at scale. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026