At Bank of Bartlett, we want you to stay informed on the latest scams so you can protect yourself and the people you love!
Top Scams to Watch for in 2025
Protecting Your Finances
Scammers are becoming more sophisticated in 2025, using new technology and social engineering tricks to target more consumers. Fraudsters are constantly developing new schemes to steal your money and personal information whether it’s through texts, emails, social media, or even the mail. The FTC's (Federal Trade Commission) data reported more than $5.8 billion in losses to 2.8 million consumers due to fraud in the last reporting year, which is an increase of more than 70 percent over the previous year. At Bank of Bartlett, we are committed to helping you stay secure and informed.
Below are the most common scams reported so far this year, learning about them is the very first step to protecting yourself.
1. Investment & Crypto Scams on Social Media
Posts or messages (often from hacked friends’ accounts) promise quick returns from crypto, stock trading, or “automated” investing platforms. In 2024, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov) received nearly 9,000 cryptocurrency complaints from people age 50-59. Their total losses: more than $904 million. People age 60 and older registered 33,369 complaints and reported losses of $2.8 billions. These scams are designed to steal your money and may also try to access your bank accounts or digital wallets. Learn more about Financial Elder Abuse.
2. Fake Unpaid Toll Texts
Scammers send text messages claiming you owe a small toll road fee, with a link to “pay now.” These messages may look official and mimic government or state transportation agencies. Clicking the link often leads to identity theft or stolen banking details. Learn more about the Unpaid Toll scam.
3. Delivery Notification Text Scams
A fake shipping alert claims your package couldn’t be delivered and urges you to click a link to reschedule or track it. These links lead to spoofed websites that harvest your credit card or login information. Learn more about how to protect your financial information online and how to spot a Romance Scam.
4. Tech Support Pop-up Scams
While browsing online, a fake pop-up warns you that your computer has a virus or security issue. It urges you to call a number or download software. These scammers impersonate companies like Microsoft or Apple and may remotely access your device or charge bogus repair fees. Learn more about Online Banking scams.
5. Prize or Discount Offer Scams
You get a message saying you’ve won a prize, gift card, or exclusive discount—but to claim it, you must pay a “processing” fee or share personal info. These are classic scams used to trick people into handing over money or sensitive data. Learn more about Online Shopping Scams.
6. Government or Police Impersonation
A scammer calls or texts you pretending to be from the IRS, FBI, police, or even Bank of Bartlett. They may say you owe money or are in legal trouble unless you act immediately. Their goal is to scare you into making payments or revealing sensitive information. FTC Data Show a More Than Four-Fold Increase in Reports of Impersonation Scammers Stealing Tens and Even Hundreds of Thousands from Older Adults | Federal Trade Commission.
7. Work-from-Home or Task Scams
You’re offered easy online work, like rating products or completing tasks for a fee. These scams often require you to deposit checks, pay upfront for access, work-from-home equipment, or transfer money, only to leave you with losses and possibly a frozen bank account.
8. Fake Travel Deals
Too-good-to-be-true vacation packages or flight deals are advertised via fake booking sites, social media, or email. Once you pay, the travel deal vanishes, or you find out it never existed in the first place. These scams spike during holiday seasons and peak travel times.
9. Student Loan, Benefits, or Insurance Scams
You’re told you qualify for loan forgiveness, extra benefits, or a special insurance deal that you never heard of, but only if you pay a fee or provide private information. These scammers often pose as government workers or trusted companies to gain your trust and access your personal and financial information.
10. QR Code Package Scams
You receive a package you didn’t order, often labeled as a “gift” or “returned item,” with a QR code and instructions to scan it. Once scanned, it may lead to phishing websites or installing malware on your device. Scammers use this to gather personal or financial information.
While fraudsters continue to develop their tactics, a few simple habits can go a long way in keeping you safe. Use this checklist as a quick reference to help you recognize red flags and respond with confidence.
Think Before You Click or Scan
- Avoid clicking on links or scanning QR codes from unfamiliar messages or unexpected packages.
- Be cautious with messages claiming delivery issues, unpaid tolls, or urgent account problems.
- Only download software or apps from trusted sources, such as official websites or app stores.
Verify Unexpected Contacts
- Never share personal, financial, or login information with someone who contacts you unexpectedly.
- Hang up on callers who pressure you to act immediately, especially those claiming to be from government agencies, tech support, or your bank.
- Contact organizations directly using a verified phone number or website if you're unsure about a message.
Secure Your Devices and Accounts
- Keep your device’s security software and operating system up to date.
- Use strong, unique passwords for each account and enable multi-factor authentication when available.
- Never allow remote access to your device unless you initiated the request with a trusted service provider.
Use Caution with Payments
- Be skeptical of any job offer, investment opportunity, or prize claim that requires upfront payment.
- Do not send money via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency to someone you don’t know personally.
- Only book travel or make payments through reputable and secure platforms.
Trust Your Instincts and Take Your Time
- If something feels suspicious or too good to be true, take time to verify it.
- Scammers often use urgency to create pressure, slow down and think before responding.
- Talk to a trusted friend, family member, or your bank before taking action on unfamiliar requests.
Report and Block Suspicious Activity
- Forward suspicious text messages to 7726 (SPAM) to help your mobile provider block them.
- Block and delete messages, emails, or social media accounts that seem suspicious.
- Report scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov to help protect others.
We want to remind you Bank of Bartlett will never call/text/email asking for your PIN, social security number, account number or to pay fines. If in doubt, hang up and Contact Us.