AI CuratedScam Reports

Online Scam Info: Weekly Threat Report (Week Ending July 27, 2025)

Welcome to your weekly update on the latest online and phone scams! Staying informed is your best defense against these ever-evolving threats.

Latest Online Scams to Watch Out For

This week, we’re seeing continued activity in deceptive online purchase scams, as well as the increasing sophistication of AI-powered fraud.

  • “Card Declined” Scam on Fake Retail Websites: The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning consumers about a growing scam involving fake retail websites that closely mimic legitimate businesses. When you attempt to make a purchase, the site displays a “card declined” message or a vague error, often prompting you to try again or use a different card. Despite the error, many victims report that charges still appear on their bank statements, sometimes multiple times. This is a tactic to collect your payment information.
  • AI-Enhanced Scams: Generative AI tools are making scams more convincing. Scammers are using AI to create more natural-sounding phishing emails and texts, eye-catching fake websites and social media ads, and even deepfake videos to promote fake products or impersonate individuals. This makes it harder to distinguish legitimate communications from fraudulent ones.

Email Scams to Be Aware Of

Email remains a primary channel for scammers, with phishing attempts becoming increasingly sophisticated.

  • “Amazon Refund” Text Scams: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is alerting consumers to texts pretending to be from Amazon. These texts claim a “routine quality inspection” found a problem with a recent purchase and offer a full refund without needing to return the item, if you click a provided link. This is a phishing scam designed to steal your money or personal information.
  • Impersonation and Urgency Tactics: Be wary of emails that create a sense of urgency, claiming your account has been compromised or will be closed if you don’t act immediately. Scammers impersonate banks, tech companies (like Apple or PayPal), or even law enforcement, asking you to click suspicious links, download attachments, or provide personal information/login credentials.

Phone Scams to Be Aware Of

Phone scams continue to target various demographics and leverage different tactics to extract information or money.

  • “Border Package” and Impersonation Scams: The Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office has warned about a sophisticated scam where callers impersonate U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents or local law enforcement. They claim a suspicious package addressed to the victim has been intercepted, often containing illegal items, and pressure victims with threats of arrest or prosecution unless immediate payment (often untraceable like gift cards or cryptocurrency) or sensitive information is provided. Scammers may spoof real phone numbers and use fake case numbers to appear legitimate.
  • Fake Medicare Card Upgrade: Wisconsin officials are reporting a scam targeting Medicare members. Scammers are making cold calls, offering an “upgrade” from paper Medicare cards to plastic cards, as a ploy to get Medicare numbers and other personal information. Remember, there are no plastic Medicare cards.
  • Impersonating VA or Home Loan Servicers: Scammers are also targeting military members and retirees, impersonating the VA or home loan servicers, offering access to benefits, mortgages, or help with refinancing/foreclosures. They often demand untraceable payments like gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.

How to Protect Yourself Against Phishing Scams

Phishing attacks are constantly evolving, so your defenses need to be equally dynamic.

  • Be Skeptical and Verify: If an email, text, or call seems suspicious, assume it’s a scam until proven otherwise. Do not click on links in unsolicited messages. Instead, navigate directly to the official website of the company or organization by typing their address into your browser. If you receive a call, hang up and call the organization back using a phone number you know is legitimate (e.g., from their official website or a bill).
  • Look for Red Flags:
    • Sense of Urgency: Scammers often try to pressure you into acting quickly. Legitimate organizations rarely demand immediate action under threat of severe consequences.
    • Spelling and Grammar Errors: While AI is improving, some phishing attempts still contain noticeable mistakes.
    • Mismatched Links: Hover your mouse over any links before clicking to see the actual URL. If it doesn’t match the sender, it’s likely a scam.
    • Requests for Personal/Financial Information: Never provide sensitive details like social security numbers, bank account numbers, or credit card information over email or an unverified phone call.
    • Unexpected Attachments: Do not open attachments from suspicious emails. They can contain malware.
    • “Too Good to Be True” Offers: If an offer seems unbelievably good (e.g., large sums of money, free prizes), it’s almost certainly a scam.
  • Strengthen Your Security:
    • Strong, Unique Passwords & Password Managers: Use complex passwords for all your accounts and consider a password manager to securely store them.
    • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enable MFA whenever possible, especially using authenticator apps or hardware keys (like YubiKey) which are more phishing-resistant than SMS codes.
    • Keep Software Updated: Regularly update your operating systems, browsers, and antivirus software to protect against known vulnerabilities.
    • Spam Filters and Email Security Tools: Utilize robust spam filters and email security solutions that can detect and block phishing attempts.
  • Educate Yourself: Stay informed about the latest scam tactics by following reputable news sources and scam alert resources from organizations like the FTC.

What Should You Do If You Think You Are Being Scammed?

Acting quickly is crucial if you suspect you’ve been scammed.

  1. Stop All Contact: Immediately cease all communication with the scammer.
  2. Contact Your Bank/Financial Institutions: If you shared financial information or sent money, contact your bank, credit card company, or other financial institutions immediately. Explain that you’ve been scammed and ask them to halt transactions or freeze accounts.
  3. Gather Information: Collect all possible details about the scam, including:
    • Dates and times of contact
    • Names, phone numbers, email addresses used by the scammer
    • Website URLs
    • Copies of emails or text messages
    • Details of any money sent or information shared
  4. Change Passwords: If you believe any of your accounts were compromised, change your passwords immediately, especially for email, banking, and social media. Use strong, unique passwords for each account.
  5. Scan Your Devices: If you clicked on any links or downloaded attachments, run a thorough antivirus/anti-malware scan on your computer and mobile devices.

Who Should You Contact and What Information Do You Need to Gather?

  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC uses these reports to build cases against scammers and educate the public.
  • FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): For online and internet-related scams, report to the FBI’s IC3 at ic3.gov.
  • Local Police/Sheriff’s Office: Contact your local law enforcement to report the scam. While they may not be able to recover funds, reporting helps them track criminal activity.
  • State Attorney General: You can also contact your state’s Attorney General. Find their contact information through the National Association of Attorneys General website.
  • Adult Protective Services (for older adults/people with disabilities): If the victim is an older person or a person with a disability, contact your local adult protective services agency via the Eldercare Locator or by calling (800) 677-1116.

Disclaimer: This information was researched and curated with the assistance of AI, but reviewed and verified by a human.

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