What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
scam
Example
The email I received was a scam, asking me to provide my personal information. [scam: noun]
Example
He tried to scam me into buying a fake product by making false claims. [scam: verb]
fraud
Example
The company was involved in a fraud scheme that cost investors millions of dollars. [fraud: noun]
Example
She committed fraud by forging her boss's signature on the check. [fraud: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Scam and fraud are both commonly used in everyday language, especially in the context of warning people about potential scams or frauds. However, scam may be more commonly used in informal settings, while fraud is often used in legal or financial contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between scam and fraud?
Fraud is generally considered more formal than scam, as it is often used in legal or financial contexts. However, both words can be used in various formality levels depending on the context.
