Staying informed is the first step in protecting yourself from scams. By understanding how these common scams operate and knowing the warning signs, you can avoid falling victim to fraud.
The phone call came at Sarah's workplace on a Tuesday morning, shattering her day with five words that sent ice through her veins: "This is an investigator from Taos County New Mexico." The man claimed he was 30 minutes away from her high school, ready to
Marilyn Crawford woke up to her worst nightmare: a police officer on the phone telling her that her grandson Ian was in jail. But then another voice came on the line—a voice she knew as well as her own. "Hi Grandma. Yeah, I got in trouble here. The
A sophisticated three-phase scam is draining entire retirement accounts, with artificial intelligence making attacks more personal than ever The Federal Bureau of Investigation has issued an urgent nationwide warning about a devastating cybercrime that has already cost American seniors over $1 billion since 2024. The so-called "Phantom Hacker"
Shai Plonski thought he had found the perfect woman. "Sandy" shared his interests in yoga and poetry, lived just 30 minutes away from his home in California, and seemed genuinely caring when he mentioned his business was struggling after COVID-19. When she suggested he try cryptocurrency investing—something
Robert Reese thought he was helping Amazon fix a security problem with his account. The Pittsburgh resident received what appeared to be a legitimate email confirming a $1,199.99 laptop purchase he never made. When he contacted "customer service," a helpful representative named "Mark Williams"
Sarah stared at the Craigslist listing in disbelief. A beautiful three-bedroom house in her dream neighborhood for just $850 a month—half the market rate. The photos showed granite countertops, hardwood floors, and a spacious backyard perfect for her two young children. After months of getting outbid on overpriced apartments,
You're running late, frantically searching for a parking spot downtown. Finally, you find one and rush to the meter, relief washing over you when you spot a convenient QR code that promises easy payment. You scan it, enter your credit card information, and dash off to your appointment,
"I mean, the picture of him — it was him," said Steve Beauchamp, an 82-year-old retiree who drained his retirement fund and invested $690,000 in a deepfake Elon Musk cryptocurrency scam. "Now, whether it was A.I. making him say the things that he was saying, I
Your workplace used to be a sanctuary from scammers—a place where official emails came from trusted colleagues and phone calls were from legitimate business contacts. That era is over. In 2025, criminals have shifted their focus from targeting individuals at home to infiltrating the very heart of corporate America:
The academic calendar is structured around key phases throughout the year, each presenting unique opportunities for scammers to target students, parents, and educational institutions. Understanding these phases and their associated scams is crucial for staying protected. Below, we explore these phases and the common scams that emerge during each period.
The scamming landscape has reached unprecedented levels in 2025, with criminals leveraging AI technology and sophisticated psychological tactics to steal billions globally. Here's what you absolutely need to know to protect yourself and your loved ones. The Alarming Reality: Scams Are Getting Worse The numbers are staggering: Over
Summer 2025 has brought sun, fun, and unfortunately, a surge in sophisticated scams targeting unsuspecting consumers. As we dive into vacation season, scammers are working overtime to exploit our desire for great deals and memorable experiences. This summer's fraud landscape is more dangerous than ever, with criminals leveraging