How to identify and report scams

Many phone support scams direct you to call a fake Robinhood customer service number. Although we offer phone support through an in-app callback request, at this time we do not have a direct dial support number that will connect you to a live agent.

Scammers will ask you to:

• Provide or verify personal information, account login details, or two-factor authentication codes
• Transfer money or crypto to them
• Download software designed to give them remote access to your computer or screen viewing capabilities
• Go to fake Robinhood login pages (hoping you’ll give them your login information)

ONLY request phone support from Robinhood through the app or by visiting robinhood.com/contact. At this time, we do not have a direct dial support phone number that will connect you to a live agent.

Robinhood Support will never:

• Ask you for your Robinhood account password or two-factor authentication (2FA) code
• Request you to download remote desktop access software or ask you to share your screen
• Ask you for your account information or credentials for other trading platforms
• Ask you to add unfamiliar account information to your account (e.g. an email address you don't own)
• Send you links within text messages
• Ask you to create a Robinhood account
• Ask you to send money through Robinhood or other apps – never send money to anyone claiming to be from Robinhood

A social media account can impersonate Robinhood or an executive team member promising a payout, a promotion, or special support if you send them something in return.

Only engage with our authentic Robinhood social media handles. If someone is reposting a screenshot of what appears to be a Robinhood post, you can always go directly to our authentic handle to confirm whether the original post is legitimate or not. Do not engage with non-Robinhood handles promising you special help with your account.

1. The sender’s email domain (the web address that comes after the @ symbol). While the sender name might include “Robinhood,” the email domain must be an authentic Robinhood domain.

• Authentic domain examples: @robinhood.com
• Shareholder-specific communication: @proxydocs.com, @proxypush.com, @prospectusdocs.com, @saytechnologies.com
• Fraudulent domain examples: @robinh00d.com, @gmail.com, and @yahoo.com.

2. Language and content. Look out for typos, grammatical mistakes, awkward language, or missing words or spaces. Also, be cautious of situations that introduce urgency and fear by using emotionally intense language paired with time-sensitive consequences. For example, “respond immediately or your account will be suspended.”
3. Links or buttons. Instead of selecting links or buttons within emails, log in to the Robinhood app or Robinhood.com directly. Links in phishing emails could direct you to a fake website asking for sensitive information such as your email address and password, account information, or National Insurance number.
4. Downloads or attachments. Phishing emails may include attachments claiming to be a tax document or other important file. These frequently contain malware that can infect your device. Be especially wary of .zip, .exe, or .doc files.
5. Fake prizes or gifts. Scammers may also contact you with attractive offers for free stock or other enticing deals to lure you in. Always be careful when clicking on links in social media messages, text messages, and emails that you don’t expect or recognise—especially if they sound too good to be true. On social media, Robinhood will only share updates and general information using our verified Robinhood social media handles.

• Only request phone or chat support from Robinhood through the app or at robinhood.com/contact. At this time, we do not have a direct dial support phone number that will connect you to a live agent.
• Only download and use the authentic Robinhood app available in the Google Play store and Apple App Store.
• From your computer, only sign in through Robinhood.com to access your account and download items, like your tax forms.

Your personal email and phone provider security matter.

When you request a password reset link for a site, where does that link typically go? Your personal email. Use a strong, unique password (10+ characters) and 2FA on your personal email associated with your Robinhood account to stay safe.

We recommend doing the same with your online account for your phone provider (Vodafone, O2, Three, EE, and so on). This helps protect against SIM swapping, when a scammer bribes or convinces the phone carrier to switch the phone number associated with your device to theirs.

Here are some of the most common payment scams:

• Impersonation scams: Impersonation scams are when a scammer pretends to be someone you trust to convince you to send them money. They can begin with a phone call, text message, or email from a trusted business, a well known celebrity/political figure, or someone you know, such as a friend or family member. The most common types of impersonation scams include: tech support scams, celebrity impersonation, and family emergency scams.
• Charity scams: Charity fraud schemes usually seek donations for organisations that don’t exist or that don’t support the causes mentioned, or involve fraudulently claiming affiliation with a legitimate charity. These scams typically increase around the holiday season or when natural disasters occur. Tragedies are often used to exploit people who want to help and donate to charitable causes.
• Debt collection or relief scams: Scammers will often pose as debt collectors on a debt that’s already been paid or a debt someone doesn’t actually owe. Some scams may target families or survivors of deceased relatives posing as debt collectors.
• Romance scams: These typically involve a scammer who pretends to have a romantic interest in a target, establishes a relationship, and then attempts to get money or sensitive information from the target under false pretences.
• Employment scams: Scammers posing as recruiters will direct individuals to establish accounts at Robinhood and receive funds from typically stolen bank accounts or other illicit activity. The individuals are then instructed to withdraw portions of the money to various sources while keeping some for commission or compensation.
• Investment scams: These are those “low investments and huge returns” scenarios, where people are tricked into investing money with promises of high returns, without financial risk.
• Lottery and sweepstakes scams: Scammers will often inform you that you’ve won a prize through a lottery or sweepstakes, and require you to pay an upfront fee to recover the prize.

1. Legal name: We’ll only display the legal name associated with the Robinhood account you are interacting with. Make sure this legal name matches who you intend to pay. If it doesn’t, don’t complete the payment.
2. Profile photo and username: Robinhood doesn’t verify the accuracy of profile photos or usernames. While these could be indicators that you are truly interacting with your friend, family member, or other intended recipient, it’s always a good idea to verify the source (i.e. call your friend) when you receive a payment request you aren’t expecting.
3. Text memo: Look out for typos, grammatical mistakes, awkward language, or missing words or spaces. Use of urgency and fear by using emotionally intense language paired with time-sensitive consequences. For example, “pay immediately or your account will be suspended.”
4. Previous transactions: If you’ve paid someone before, but you aren’t seeing a history of transactions on the profile that appears to be that person, make sure you verify the source (i.e. call your friend) before paying.

• Only interact with people you know and trust: Scammers are common, but also sophisticated. Make sure that you only send money to people you know and trust. Never make a payment to someone you don’t know.
• Verify the source of the request: When in doubt, you should always verify the origin of a payment request, especially if there is urgency, there are threats involved, or you receive the request from an unfamiliar email, phone, number, or communication channel. Call a trusted friend or family member. When a company is involved, use their official customer service channels.
• Resist the pressure, sense of urgency, and threats: Payment scams often introduce a sense of urgency, pressure, or threats to trigger your emotions. Take a breath, and make sure you fully understand the circumstances around the request before you take action.
• Do your research and ask questions: If someone approaches you with an investment opportunity, sweepstakes winnings, or a debt owed, be sure to research the company involved and ask lots of questions to fully inform your decision. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Never provide financial or personal information: Never provide your financial or personal information, account login details, or two-factor authentication codes.