Scam Alert

In 2025, scam alerts are particularly focused on digital scams, especially those leveraging AI. Be wary of phishing emails and texts, fake online profiles, and scams impersonating legitimate organizations like banks, government agencies, or tech support. AI is being used to make these scams more convincing, so verify any suspicious messages by contacting the claimed organization directly. 

Here’s a breakdown of common scams to watch out for:

Digital Scams:

• Phishing Scams: Scammers use fake emails, texts, or calls to trick you into revealing personal information like passwords or credit card details. 
• Smishing Scams: Similar to phishing but using SMS messages to trick you into revealing information or clicking malicious links. 
• Imposter Scams: Scammers impersonate legitimate organizations, such as banks, government agencies, or tech support, to gain access to your personal information or money. 
• Romance Scams: Scammers create fake online profiles to build romantic connections and then attempt to extract money or personal information. 
• AI-Powered Scams: Scammers are using AI to create deepfakes, cloned voices, and more convincing phishing attempts. 

Other Scams:

• Fake Investigation Scams: Scammers pretend to be representatives of a bank or law enforcement, often claiming a financial investigation is needed and requesting personal information. 
• Tech Support Scams: Scammers pose as tech support representatives, claiming your device is infected with malware or viruses and asking for remote access or payment. 
• Investment Scams: Scammers promise high returns on investments, often with a sense of urgency to invest quickly. 
• Health Insurance Scams: Scammers target seniors, especially those eligible for Medicare, with medical-related scams. 
• Grandparent Scams: Scammers impersonate family members in trouble or an authoritative figure, like a lawyer, to request money from seniors. 
• Sweepstakes Scams: Scammers use fake sweepstakes or contests to trick people into paying fees or giving away their personal information. 
• Fake Checks: Scammers use fake checks to exploit the time it takes for them to bounce and trick you into taking action on the funds. 

Protect Yourself:

• Verify all messages: Contact the claimed organization directly using their official website or customer service line to verify suspicious messages. 
• Don’t click suspicious links: Be cautious of links in emails or texts, and hover your mouse over them to see where they lead before clicking. 
• Don’t give out personal information: Never provide personal information, such as passwords or credit card details, unless you are absolutely sure the request is legitimate. 
• Use strong passwords: Use unique and strong passwords for all your accounts. 
• Keep your software updated: Regularly update your operating system and security software. 
• Be skeptical of offers: Be wary of unusually high returns, promises of quick riches, or offers that seem too good to be true. 
• Report suspicious activity: If you suspect you have been targeted by a scam, report it to the relevant authorities, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).