“A lot of the scams that were tried and true in 2024 are going to be repurposed, especially with the advent of more effective AI,” says Michael Bruemmer, vice president of data breach resolution and consumer protection at Experian, a global credit verification and financial services firm. Impersonation scams are a good example, whether criminals are posing as celebrities, trusted companies, desperate relatives, or strangers with sick dogs. “Deep fakes, both audio and video, have gotten so good, and the language models have gotten so good, it’s hard to tell [what’s real],” Bruemmer says.
- Employment Scams
In some cases, the goal is simply to gain your personal information. You’re told you got the job, so you fill out paperwork that includes your Social Security number and your bank account info for direct deposit.
- Cryptocurrency Scams
Scammers use dating apps, messaging apps, social media and other communications to build relationships and trust with their targets, then share their “expertise” on investments, frequently promising large returns and little risk.
- Celebrity Imposter Scams
The scammer hits the victim when they are emotionally vulnerable. When they might be feeling unworthy, lonely, or bored, or grieving the loss of a loved one. The supposed celebrity needs money, whether launching a new charity or putting down money on the house where you both will live.
- Tech Support Scams
The fraud frequently starts with a pop-up message — often with a logo from companies like Microsoft or Apple — saying your computer has a virus. You click a link or call a supposed support number, and they request remote access to your computer.
- Card-Declined Scams
The BBB’s Scam Tracker has received many recent reports from consumers whose credit cards are declined while making an online purchase. Typically they try using a different card, but that one fails, too. And yet despite the card-declined notices, the charges have actually occurred for each transaction — and often for more than they thought.
Read the entire article here: Biggest Scams to Watch for in 2025
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