Top Trending Scams to Look Out For in 2025

Impostor Scams

Impostor scams once again come in among the most common scams this year.
These scams often begin with an unsolicited call, email, text or social media message posing as someone you trust — your bank, a business you know, a friend or loved one, or even a government agency.
Criminals seek to get us into a state of fear or excitement — your Social Security payments have been paused, there is a problem with your bank account, or you just won a big prize. They know that if they can get us into a heightened state of emotion, our brains go right to solving the issue at hand, casting logic aside.
We can’t put much trust in incoming and unsolicited communications these days — whether by phone, text, email, or social media. If you are concerned there may be an issue, contact the entity at a number or site you know to be legitimate.

Investment scams continued to remain prevalent, often involving human trafficking to enslave frontline “workers” in these fraudulent operations.
This fraud relies on initiating friendships online or through a text message that appears to be sent to you by mistake, using the interaction to gradually build a trust relationship.
Then comes the pitch: They’ve shown you their luxurious lifestyle and offer to teach you how to invest and make a lot of money, too (whether it’s cryptocurrency or some other commodity).
The investments are completely fraudulent, as are the investment exchanges they convince you to access, and the victims only know this when they are unable to withdraw their investment earnings.
Anytime you are interested in a new investment opportunity, investigate it first. Ask friends what they know and then read up on how to validate opportunities at the SEC’s site, investor.gov.

Tech support scams have been around a long time, but new twists have allowed the crime to flourish.
This scam typically starts with a pop-up message and possibly a blaring sound on your computer warning there is a critical security issue and to call the provided tech support number.
The “tech support” person claiming to be from Microsoft or some other big tech company, promises they can help by asking you to provide remote access to your device.
Once inside, they can plant login-stealing malware designed to expose your usernames and passwords to all of your accounts, including financial ones.
More complex fraud attacks begin with tech support, then evolve into bank and government impersonation schemes that end with criminals wiping out the victim’s financial accounts.
If you get this kind of frightening pop-up, exit out of your browser. If that doesn’t work, press the power button down on your device until it shuts down. After a few minutes, turn it back on and the scary stuff should no longer appear.
If you’re concerned about your device, take it to a big-box store or a trusted technician to scan for malicious software.

You can safely report scams, fraud etc. at the AARP Report webpage: https://www.aarp.org/forms/scam-map-form-page/