Category Protection

As more Americans invest in cryptocurrency, scams involving these digital assets are rising quickly. A recent report shows that one in three people in the U.S. has been affected by a crypto scam, with Gen Z and Millennials being the most impacted. Common scams include fake giveaways, phishing emails, Ponzi schemes, and social engineering—tactics that trick people into giving away money or personal information. A growing concern is the use of advanced technology like deepfakes and AI to create fake identities, leading to a 300% spike in synthetic identity fraud. With an average loss of $3,300 per serious scam, more people are calling for stronger regulations to protect users in this fast-changing and uncertain financial landscape.

As economic uncertainty grows due to threats of a government shutdown, a new wave of job recruiting scams is spreading across the U.S., especially through scam text messages offering fake remote jobs with high pay. These scams are mainly targeting people who may be struggling financially, including government workers and contractors who could lose their income during a shutdown. Experts say scammers are taking advantage of this stressful time by sending out convincing messages that seem like real job offers. Many of these texts are created and sent using artificial intelligence, making it easier for scammers to reach large groups of people quickly. It's important to be cautious and double-check any job offer that comes through an unexpected text or email.

Payment scams are on the rise as many Americans deal with financial stress and uncertainty. Scammers are taking advantage of people looking for extra money by using tricks like the "payment on hold" and "unclaimed funds" scams. In the first scam, criminals pretend to buy something online and claim a payment is delayed, convincing the seller to send money through apps like Zelle or Apple Cash—only to steal it. The second scam involves fake voicemails about unclaimed government money, pushing people to share personal information on fake websites. These scams are especially dangerous now because many people are looking for fast financial help and may rush into risky situations.

In recent years, Americans have been hit hard by a wave of scam text messages, also known as "smishing." These scams are often run by organized crime groups, including some based in China, and have stolen more than $1 billion from U.S. consumers in just three years. The messages usually pretend to be from trusted sources, like government offices or utility companies, and are designed to make people feel like they must act quickly—such as paying a fake toll charge or claiming a refund. These scams take advantage of today’s nervous economy and our growing habit of handling business over text or online. Criminals use technology like “SIM farms” to send out thousands of messages at once, and they often trick ordinary people into helping move stolen money without knowing it. As digital communication becomes more common, it’s easier than ever for scammers to reach victims and harder to spot what’s real.

Online financial scams are becoming more common, especially during times of economic stress. Scammers often pretend to be real banks or trusted companies, offering fake deals that promise high returns or urgent offers to trick people into acting quickly. Retirees are at higher risk because they usually have more savings. These scams use fake websites, emails, or social media messages to get personal information like bank details or Social Security numbers. Experts say to stay safe, you should always double-check websites, ignore unexpected messages asking for information, and be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true.

A new scam is targeting older Americans by sending fake letters that look like they’re from the U.S. Supreme Court. The letters claim that the person's Social Security number has been stolen and say their money will be frozen unless they act right away. Scammers then follow up with fake phone calls or text messages pretending to be from the Social Security Administration to scare people into giving up personal information or money. This scam is especially dangerous now because many seniors rely heavily on their monthly Social Security checks, especially with today’s rising prices and economic stress. The scam takes advantage of fear, using official-looking documents and advanced technology to trick people.