Stay Alert: New Scams In 2024

AI can enhance scams by crafting realistic phishing messages, creating deepfakes, and impersonating people to deceive victims

Scammers exploit student loan forgiveness by charging fees or stealing info through fake sites and calls. Apply for forgiveness for free through the official Department of Education website

  Scammers use robocalls, impersonation, malicious apps, fake QR codes, SIM swapping, and OTP bots to exploit smartphones and steal personal info

  Text scams, costing over $330 million in 2022, impersonate companies to trick you into clicking links or calling numbers, stealing info or installing malware

Scammers exploit Zelle by posing as bank agents to trick you into sending money to their account         

 Despite the crypto hype fading, scammers still use fake prizes, celebrity endorsements, and OTP bots to steal money and drain crypto accounts

    Romance scams, costing $1.3 billion in 2022, involve fake profiles and stolen identities to trick victims into sending money or forwarding funds

Online purchase scams involve fake stores and ads, often leading to lost money or stolen credit card use, so watch for red flags and use credit cards for protection          

Employment scams offer fake jobs, overpayment schemes, and illegal tasks, targeting those seeking work

Check fraud involves stealing and counterfeiting checks from the mail; avoid using checks or use secure pens, but refunds may take time

   To avoid scams, be cautious with unknown contacts, links, and payments; use multifactor authentication, research companies, and create a family verification password