Synonyms of scams

scams

noun

plural of scam

as in frauds

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

• frauds
• swindles
• hoaxes
• cons
• schemes
• hustles
• devices
• shell games
• stings
• fiddles
• tricks
• flimflams
• counterfeits
• buncos
• rackets
• Ponzi schemes
• crosses
• pyramid schemes
• rip-offs
• fixes
• stratagems
• forgeries
• fakes
• ploys
• wiles
• dodges
• sleights
• jigs
• gimmicks
• phonies
• shams
• humbug
• thimblerigs
• three-card montes

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of scams

Older adults are particularly vulnerable to identity theft and other scams and are often advised to ignore junk mail and calls from telemarketers. — Susan Jaffe, NPR, 6 July 2026

Online dating scams often involve someone building trust over time before requesting money, financial assistance, gift cards, or personal financial information. — Matthew Kayser updated July 6, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026

There is no industry-standard pricing for tax relief, which is one reason why taxpayers can sometimes fall victim to overpriced or dishonest tax relief scams. — Nick Perry, USA Today, 6 July 2026

This helps the platform track scams that impersonate its brand. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026

As cybercriminals use increasingly sophisticated tactics and AI makes phishing attempts, impersonation scams and other attacks harder to spot, organizations can’t rely on annual compliance training alone. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Red flags to watch for to avoid fraud While scams can be tricky to spot, there are some red flags that experts recommend watching for, including when you're asked to act quickly. — Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 2 July 2026