As we move into 2025, cybercriminals continue to innovate and find new ways to exploit individuals and organizations. While digital technology offers incredible convenience and connectivity, it also opens the door to an ever-evolving array of online scams. As we become more dependent on our devices, staying vigilant against these malicious schemes has never been more important.

Here are some of the top cyber scams to watch out for in 2025:

AI-Powered Phishing Attacks

Phishing has long been one of the most common cybercrimes, but in 2025, it’s becoming more sophisticated thanks to the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). Attackers can now use AI to craft emails and messages that are more personalized and harder to distinguish from legitimate communications. These AI-generated messages might look like they’re from your bank, employer, or even a close friend. Often, they include fake links or attachments designed to steal personal information or install malware.

How to protect yourself:

• Always verify the sender’s email address
• Avoid clicking on unsolicited attachments or links.
• Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) for extra security.

Deepfake Scams

Another AI scam to watch out for are deepfakes, or hyper-realistic fake videos, which are becoming more convincing and accessible to cybercriminals. In 2025, expect scammers to use deepfake technology to impersonate public figures, coworkers, or even family members. These videos might ask you for money, personal data, or to click on malicious links. Whether it’s a fake CEO asking for a transfer of funds or a relative in distress, deepfake scams can deceive even the most knowledgeable individuals.

How to protect yourself:

• Be cautious of urgent requests, especially if they involve money or sensitive data.
• Verify any requests through another communication channel (e.g., call your relative directly or speak to your boss face-to-face).
• Have a code word with close family and friends that you ask for if you suspect you are being scammed
• If you have not set up a code word, ask the person a question only they would know like what photo is hanging in your living room or what are your favorite pair of shoes to wear
• If it’s a live video, ask the person to waive their hand in front of their face. This usually looks strange in AI videos and can easily reveal if the video or live feed is fake.

Voice Phishing (Vishing) with AI

Similar to deepfake videos, vishing, or voice phishing, has been around for a while, but in 2025, the use of AI technology will make it more convincing. Scammers can use AI to mimic the voice of a trusted friend, family member, or even a company representative. You may receive a phone call that sounds eerily like someone you know, asking for money or sensitive information. The phone number may even be spoofed to look like it is coming from someone in your contacts.

How to protect yourself:

• Be skeptical of unsolicited phone calls asking for money or personal information.
• If in doubt, hang up and call the person back using a trusted number.
• Always verify any urgent requests with a separate communication method.
• Like with video deepfakes, have a code word with close family and friends that you ask for if you suspect you are being scammed
• If you have not set up a code word, ask the person a very specific question only they would know, like something in your home as suggested above or a detail about a memory or a place you visited together. It should be something that would not have been posted online or anywhere on social media.

Fake Tech Support Scams

Tech support scams are not new, but they’re becoming more refined. In 2025, scammers may use pop-up ads, phone calls, or fake emails claiming that your device has been compromised by a virus or malware. These scams typically involve fake technicians offering to fix the issue for a fee, often by installing malicious software on your device or tricking you into revealing personal information. Scammers also create ads on google so their fake pages are at the top of the google search listings and come up before the real sites. This mostly occurs with popular technology companies like Apple or shopping sites like Amazon.

How to protect yourself:

• Never give control of your device to unsolicited callers or pop-ups.
• If you receive a call or message from someone claiming to be tech support, hang up and contact the company directly using the official contact information on their website.
• Avoid paying for services that sound too good to be true.
• Never click on pop up ads saying your device has been compromised or infected
• If you need tech support, visit the website directly by typing their url into the address bar of your browser.

Random text or wrong number scams

Wrong number scams involve a scammer pretending to have dialed or messaged the wrong person. These scams often start innocuously with a friendly message or call, claiming a mistake. Once you engage, they may attempt to manipulate you for financial gain, personal information, or to spread malware. The scammer pretends to know you, sometimes addressing you by a generic name or nickname. If you respond, they may try to build rapport by continuing the conversation or fabricating a believable story (e.g., needing help, a business opportunity, or a romantic interest). This is a social engineering tactic and the scammer will invest as much time as needed to get what they want from you. It could even evolve into a long-term scam where the bad actor builds a relationship with you, to ask for financial assistance or gain personal details for identity theft.   The scammer avoids specifics, often waiting for you to "fill in the blanks."

Additionally, they might send links claiming to be a picture, invoice, or information related to the "wrong message” and clicking the link may install malware or direct you to a phishing site. The scammer will usually create a sense of urgency or guilt (e.g., "I’m stuck and need funds immediately") to pressure you into sending money or gift cards. Be weary of calls or texts from unknown or foreign numbers especially with messages like , "Hey, it's me! Long time no talk!" or "I have that info you needed." 

How to protect yourself:

• Do not engage! If you receive a suspicious message or call, don’t respond or interact.
• Block the number or delete the message and report it as junk. Report suspicious texts or calls to your mobile carrier and block the number. In the U.S., you can report scams to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) at https://www.ftc.gov/ 
• Do not click on links from unknown or untrusted senders.
• Legitimate wrong number calls/messages are usually brief and don’t require further interaction. Scam messages often try to draw you into a conversation - do not engage.
• If you think the message or call might be legitimate, verify the sender through a trusted method and contact them a different way.
• Contact the organization or person directly if the scammer claims to represent someone you know.
• Many phones and apps have call screening or spam-detection features. Enable these to filter suspicious messages or calls.

Cryptocurrency and General Investment Scams

Cryptocurrency continues to gain popularity, and cybercriminals are exploiting the excitement around digital currencies. In 2025, watch out for investment schemes that promise high returns on cryptocurrencies, NFTs, or other blockchain-related products. These scams often take the form of fake ICOs (Initial Coin Offerings), Ponzi schemes, or fake crypto exchanges designed to steal your money.

How to protect yourself:

• Research any investment opportunity thoroughly and make sure the platform is legitimate.
• Be skeptical of offers that sound too good to be true, such as guaranteed high returns.
• Never share your private cryptocurrency keys or login details with anyone.
• Be weary of someone you met online telling you they have this “great investment opportunity”.
• This method is common in romance scams. Be careful if someone you met on a dating site starts encouraging you to invest even if you have been communicating for months and have had video chats.

Social Media Scams and Fake Giveaways

Social media continues to be a breeding ground for scams. In 2025, expect an increase in fake giveaways, contests, and promotions that promise free products, cash, or experiences. These scams often ask you to share personal details or follow certain accounts, which are then used to steal your data or trick you into making a payment.

How to protect yourself:

• Be cautious of “too good to be true” offers, especially if they ask for personal information upfront.
• Check for official verification (blue checkmarks) when interacting with brands or influencers on social media.
• Always verify giveaways by checking the brand’s official social media pages.

Job Scams and Fake Remote Work Offers

With the growing popularity of remote work, scammers are increasingly targeting job seekers with fake job listings. In 2025, expect to see more scams offering high-paying remote work opportunities that ask for an upfront fee for training or software. These fake jobs might also ask for personal information that can be used for identity theft.

How to protect yourself:

• Research job listings and the companies offering them before applying. Try to visit the actual company website to see if the job is listed there and apply through their site if possible.
• Never pay for job training or equipment upfront.
• Be cautious of any offer that asks for sensitive personal information during the early stages of recruitment.

Smishing (SMS Phishing)

While email phishing remains a threat, SMS phishing (or "smishing") is becoming more prevalent. Scammers use text messages to trick recipients into clicking on malicious links or calling fake customer support numbers. In 2025, smishing attacks might be more sophisticated, making it harder to distinguish between legitimate messages from banks, delivery services, or government agencies and fraudulent ones. Scammers may spoof the numbers of real companies so that it looks like the text is coming from a legitimate business.

How to protect yourself:

• Do not click on links in unsolicited text messages.
• Contact companies directly using official channels if you receive unexpected messages.
• Use a security app that can detect suspicious messages.

Card decline scams

Scammers impersonate a trusted organization (e.g., your bank, a retailer, or a payment service). You might receive a phone call, email, or text message claiming your card was declined for a recent transaction. The scammer then asks you to provide your card details or verify your identity to "resolve the issue."  Messages often include urgent language like "Act now!" or "Immediate action required." Links or phone numbers might appear official but lead to fraudulent websites or scammers. The message may include generic greetings, spelling errors, or slightly altered company names.

How to protect yourself:

Never provide card details or personal information in response to unsolicited calls, texts, or emails.

Contact your bank directly using the number on the back of your card to verify the issue.

Be cautious with links; type the official website address directly into your browser.

Overpayment scams

These scams target individuals selling goods or services. The scammer overpays with a fake check or stolen funds and asks the seller to refund the excess amount. When the payment is discovered to be fraudulent, the seller is out both the product and the refunded money. The buyer will sometimes insist on using unusual payment methods or pressure you to send the refund quickly. The overpayment amount may be excessive or seem unnecessary but will look like a simple typo like decimal in the wrong place or too many zeros added at the end. The scammer might request a refund via gift cards, wire transfers, or other hard-to-trace methods.

How to protect yourself:

Accept payments only through secure, verified methods (e.g., PayPal, direct bank transfer).

Be cautious of buyers offering to pay more than the asking price.

Wait for funds to clear fully in your account before shipping goods or issuing refunds.

• If an overpayment occurs, tell the individual you have to handle it with the bank. Do not refund the money yourself even if the individual begs you to do so.

Ransomware as a Service

Ransomware attacks continue to evolve, and in 2025, a worrying trend is the rise of "Ransomware as a Service" (RaaS). In this model, cybercriminals sell ransomware software to others, making it easier for less experienced hackers to carry out attacks. Businesses, government organizations, and individuals are increasingly at risk of having their files encrypted and held hostage, often with demands for cryptocurrency payments.

How to protect yourself:

• Regularly back up your data and store it offline or in a secure cloud service.
• Keep your operating system and software updated to patch security vulnerabilities.
• Avoid clicking on suspicious email links or visiting untrustworthy websites.

The digital world is full of opportunities, but it also comes with significant risks. As we enter 2025, staying ahead of cyber scams requires constant vigilance and proactive measures. By staying informed about the latest scams, practicing good security hygiene, and being cautious online, you can protect yourself from falling victim to these evolving threats. Remember to trust your gut!. Stay alert, stay safe, and safeguard your personal and financial information.

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