New year, new threats? It sure seems so; scammers never stop. So, as we step into 2025, keep yourself safe by watching out for these scams.
1
Scam Calls or Texts From the IRS
With tax season starting soon, scammers pretending to be the IRS might send you emails, texts, and even call you. These emails and text messages usually contain phishing links that redirect you to fake websites to steal your money or identity.
The good news is that it’s easy to spot phishing emails. In the case of calls, remember that the IRS will usually try to reach you by mail first.
2
Credit Card Scams
Credit cards have become one of the most popular payment methods in America, but this also makes them susceptible to fraud. While you might think your credit card details are safe as long as you don’t lose your card or expose your details to people, the reality is that hackers have devised various ways to steal your information, from using card skimmers on ATMs and gas pumps to getting your details via phishing links or database leaks.
If you want to protect yourself from credit card fraud, it’s important to keep track of data breaches, keep tabs on your credit card and banking statements, and learn how to spot credit card skimmers.
3
Cryptocurrency Scams
Cryptocurrency scams are pretty much a year-round phenomenon, but they see a spike when the crypto market booms. Given the public interest and media hype around Bitcoin’s all-time high in late 2024, cryptocurrency scams are rampant.
Even if you don’t actively invest in the crypto market, watch out for fake crypto giveaways. These scams target unsuspecting users by promising free cryptocurrency in exchange for entering financial or personal details on a fraudulent site, which the scammer then uses to steal your identity or access your financial accounts.
4
Employment Scams
According to CNBC, job scams surged by a whopping 118% in 2023. Given how hard it’s become to come by well-paying jobs, this statistic isn’t likely to improve in the near future. This also means scammers can capitalize on desperate job seekers by posting fake job listings.
Generally, in this case, the scammer is looking to steal information during the application/interview process and use the data for nefarious purposes. The good news is that you can stay on guard by learning how to identify and avoid job posting scams.
5
Holiday Season Prize Draw Scams
After the holiday season, scammers often target unsuspecting shoppers with fake lottery or prize draw notifications. These claims can seem legit, especially if you entered online sweepstakes or signed up for promotional offers while doing your holiday shopping.
That said, you can tell you’re being contacted by a scammer if they ask for payment to claim your prize or request you to share personal details before your winnings are released.
6
Package Delivery Scams
Online shopping is undoubtedly convenient, but it can also lead to package delivery scams. Scammers who resort to this strategy usually send their victims text messages or emails with phishing links. The recipients are urged to click the link to update their address or payment details, but this usually results in malware being downloaded or personal information getting leaked.
This sort of scam can be hard to spot, especially if you’re awaiting an actual delivery. However, it helps to verify the source of the message or email and refrain from clicking any included links.
Scammers are becoming smarter and using sophisticated tech and AI tools to target people. If you do end up falling victim to an online scam, it’s important that you know what to do so you can keep the damage to a minimum.
