Watch Out for These Scams: Vrbo, Grubhub+, Fake Fines

Scams aren’t just sloppy emails anymore. This week, we’ve seen fraudsters impersonate major brands, exploit global crises, and fake relationships — all to get one thing: your trust.

From fake rental listings to hijacked food delivery accounts and emotional pleas on Instagram, it’s clear scammers are no longer relying on scare tactics alone. They’re using emotion, storytelling, and subtlety to fool even the cautious.

Here’s what to watch out for:

Fake Grubhub+ Subscription Using Your Email

You get an email about updating your Grubhub+ payment method — except you never signed up. When you check the site using your email, there’s a profile with your address and someone else’s name. No order history, but a subscription is active.

This is likely a data-harvesting scam or a setup for future fraud. If you'd clicked the email link, it could have been worse.

Pro Tips:

• If you get an email from a service you don’t use, go directly to the official site.
• Always double-check any accounts tied to your email.
• Use strong, unique passwords across all services.

Fake Vrbo Site, Real Vacation Nightmare

The link leads to an impersonated scam website. After a wire transfer, the truth comes out: no villa, no refund.

Pro Tips:

• Only book and pay through official travel platforms.
• Don’t click booking links from emails — use the app or type in the URL manually.
• If a host requests a wire transfer, walk away.

Instagram Scam Using Crisis Stories

Someone claiming to be a teenager in a conflict zone, like Palestine, reaches out asking for financial help. They share emotional videos, stories, and even an ID photo.

But when you ask questions, the answers are vague. The content they share already exists on their profile. It becomes clear: the identity may be fake, and the story is likely stolen.

Pro Tips:

• Be cautious of emotional appeals from strangers online.
• Don’t send money to anyone without verifying who they are.
• If you want to help, donate through established charities.

You’re Fined for Leaving Your Engine On? Not Quite

The link leads to a fake payment site that harvests your financial data.

Pro Tips:

• Government fines won’t arrive via vague text messages.
• Never click shortened or suspicious links.
• Contact your local authority directly if in doubt.

Facebook Flirting with a Side of Fraud

These scams are designed to build trust fast, then ask for money under emotional pressure.

Pro Tips:

• Be wary of strangers with overly dramatic life stories.
• Romance + urgency is a red flag.
• Don’t send money or gifts to people you’ve never met.

Bottom Line: Scammers Are Evolving — So Should You

These scams are no longer easy to spot. They don’t rely on typos or sketchy formatting — they rely on you caring enough to trust them.

So before you click, send, or reply:

• Slow down.
• Check the link.
• And if something feels off, trust your instinct.

Report what you see. Talk about it. Help others stay alert. The more we recognize these tactics, the harder it becomes for scammers to succeed.

Before you click, check with ScamAdviser.com—it’s a quick way to verify websites, phone numbers, crypto wallets, and even IBANs. On mobile? No worries—the ScamAdviser app has you covered 24/7, keeping you safer wherever you browse.