9 Common Scams Fraudsters Could Fool You With in 2025

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Hopefully, by 2025, everyone will know to not give their credit card information or Social Security number out through emails or text messages with unknown parties. The good news is that some common scams are easy to spot. The bad news is that some are technologically improving faster than you or even law enforcement can track.

It would be idyllic if no one tried to steal your money, but in the current world everyone lives in — you still have to protect your bank account.

Of course, you can’t ignore every phone call or text you get, and the uptick in fraudster activity can feel overwhelming. A good chunk of fraudulent behavior takes place on social media platforms, too, so no place feels safe. 

“Social media platforms have become a fertile ground for fraudsters who exploit the trust and connectivity these platforms offer,” said Todd Redding, owner of Probity Investigations, a leading state-licensed professional private investigation agency.

However, knowing what red flags to look for can save you a lot of time, money and financial heartache down the line. Here are nine of the most common scams fraudsters will use in 2025, along with some tips on to avoid them.

Grandparent Scam 

Retirees or seniors who aren’t used to the abilities of artificial intelligence are likely to get taken advantage of with this particular scam. Getting a call from someone who sounds like your grandchild or relative asking you to wire or transfer money or send gift cards to help them out of trouble is a new popular way people are getting scammed. Fraudsters target older adults and this activity sees an increase during the holidays. 

If this happens to you, disconnect and contact the relative directly yourself to verify it is really them or let them know what is happening. Don’t believe the caller if they insist on secrecy because it’s likely just to protect them.

A more concerning red flag involves the use of urgent or threatening language, as scammers frequently use this type of language to create a sense of panic and prompt immediate action. “Be wary of messages that demand quick decisions or use scare tactics,” Redding said.

Mail Fraud Scam 

Gone are the days of simply receiving nice letters from friends and family, as now you have to watch out for fake sweepstakes and spam of all kinds. So don’t believe the hype and give out personal information or send money to receive something later. The United States Postal Service has identified common postal or mail fraud schemes so you can check here if uncertain.

Another red flag is a request for personal information. Any unsolicited request for personal or financial information should be treated with suspicion. Redding said, “Legitimate organizations will rarely ask for sensitive details through social media.”

Also, be on the lookout for poor grammar and spelling. “Many scam messages are poorly written, containing obvious grammatical errors and misspellings,” Redding said. “While not all scams are poorly written, this can be a telltale sign.”

Debt Collection Scam

Scammers may try to collect on legitimate debts you owe, which is confusing because legitimate debt collectors might contact you as well. To verify where your money is going, ask the debt collector for their company name, contact information and mailing address to make sure they are who they say they are.

“Be cautious of messages from unknown individuals or entities, especially if they contain links or attachments,” Redding said. Scammers often send out mass messages hoping to catch a few unsuspecting victims.

Lottery or Prize Scams

No big money is waiting for you if someone calls, texts or emails you to tell you that you’ve won the lottery or another prize through a sweepstakes. Though it sounds nice, they’ll then ask you to pay upfront for fees and taxes. So again, never give out your credit card information or Social Security number to someone you don’t know, especially if they urgently demand money or personal information.

Often, a giant red flag is a “too good to be true” offer, according to Redding. “If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is,” he explained. “Be skeptical of promises of free money, gifts or high returns on investments with little to no risk.”

Protect Yourself From These 5 Common Social Media Scams

You almost expect any phone call from a number you don’t recognize to be a scam, but what about the people or robots slipping into your DMs? When scrolling through social media accounts, many times you’ll see a new or familiar face asking you to send money right from your messages.

It happens every day while using the web — and while a simple message may seem harmless, experts say an abundance of caution is your friend in the online world. Without it, you could end up losing a lot of money from these various scams.

Phishing Scams 

Phishing scams involve fraudulent messages that trick users into clicking on malicious links. “These links often lead to fake login pages that closely resemble legitimate websites, where users unknowingly enter their credentials, allowing scammers to steal their personal information,” Redding said.

These scams can also involve fake notifications about account issues that require immediate attention.

Impersonation

“Scammers create fake profiles mimicking friends, family or well-known brands to gain the trust of users,” Redding said.

They might use these profiles to solicit money, request sensitive information or spread malware. “These impersonators can be very convincing, often copying photos and personal details from the real accounts,” he warned.

Romance Scams

According to Redding, fraudsters also exploit people’s emotions by creating fake profiles on dating sites and social media platforms. “They build relationships over time, gaining their victims’ trust and affection, before fabricating a crisis that requires financial assistance,” he said.

These scams can be emotionally and financially devastating to those affected.

Giveaway and Prize Scams

These scams promise users prizes or large sums of money in exchange for personal information or an upfront fee. “The scammers often claim that the user has won a contest or lottery that they didn’t enter, and they need to pay a fee or provide personal details to claim their prize,” Redding said.

These scams are prevalent on social media. Per Identity Guard, “In one common scam, fraudsters create a fake Facebook page for a familiar company, state lottery, or sweepstakes, and either post offers for free prizes or send victims direct Facebook messages (DMs) claiming they’ve won.”

Investment and Cryptocurrency Scams

With investment and cryptocurrency scams, fraudsters lure victims with promises of high returns on investments, often involving cryptocurrencies. “They use sophisticated pitches and fake testimonials to convince users to invest in non-existent or fraudulent schemes, resulting in significant financial losses,” Redding explained.

Scammers try to target social media users with these types of scams. “If someone in your network suddenly starts sending messages about investing in cryptocurrencies, their account could be hacked,” according to Identity Guard.

Final Take To GO: How To Protect Yourself

According to Redding, there are several steps individuals can take to protect themselves from social media scams. The first he recommended is verifying identities.

“Before responding to messages or accepting friend requests, verify the identity of the person or organization contacting you,” he said. This means checking for inconsistencies in their profile and searching for any signs of a fake account.

He also advised individuals to avoid clicking on suspicious links. “Do not click on links in unsolicited messages,” he said. Instead, he suggested hovering over the link to see the URL and ensure it leads to a legitimate website. When in doubt, navigate to the site directly through your browser.

Another way to protect yourself from potential scams is to enable two-factor authentication. “Adding an extra layer of security to your accounts can prevent unauthorized access,” Redding said. “[Two-factor authentication] requires a second form of verification, such as a code sent to your phone, making it harder for scammers to breach your account.”

After following the above steps, remember to make it a point to update your privacy settings. “Regularly review and update the privacy settings on your social media accounts to control who can see your information and posts.”

Redding also emphasized the need to limit the amount of personal information you share publicly, and finally, utilize the reporting and blocking features on social media platforms to deal with suspicious accounts. “Reporting helps the platform take action against scammers, while blocking prevents them from contacting you again.”

Cindy Lamothe contributed to the reporting for this article.

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