Fraud Alerts

Looking for some life hacks or advice about managing money? There’s no shortage of online influencers ready to help. But not all advice is good advice (or truthful). And in some cases, what they’re telling you might be more than a bad idea — it might be illegal.

In 2025, data point after data point showed that the issue of fraud has only gotten worse. As we begin the new year, here are five statistics on scams that caught our eye.

If there’s information on your credit report that’s correct but not so great, it can make it harder to get credit with good terms. But there are things you can do yourself for free to help fix your credit. Credit repair companies also charge to do the same things. Before you consider paying, though, know the rules these companies have to follow — rules dishonest companies and scammers often break.

Whether you’re hiring a contractor, looking for an apartment, or shopping online, chances are you check out online reviews first. Many people use reviews to see the honest opinions of other buyers — and companies rely on reviews to stand out from the crowd. But some companies write, post, or pay for fake reviews — and that hurts people and honest companies.

If you’re looking to get insurance from the Health Insurance Marketplace, you have until January 15th to sign up. But dishonest companies sometimes advertise comprehensive health insurance when it’s really a medical discount plan or a health plan with limited insurance benefits. And, sometimes, an insurance “offer” is just a scam. As you compare your options, here are some things to consider.

As shoppers rush to lock in deals and check names off holiday gift lists, fraudsters are working overtime. Recent data from TransUnion shows that digital fraud attempts in the U.S. jumped sharply — rising 4.4 percent during the 2024 holiday shopping season compared with the non-holiday period.

Does it feel like the holidays come around faster and faster every year? If you’re looking to save time by avoiding the crowds and doing some holiday shopping online, know that scammers camp out online all year long. So if you’re planning to shop online for holiday gifts, how can you avoid accidentally running into a scam?

Online safety starts with protecting your kids’ devices from hackers and scammers.

Here are some steps to keep kids safer while they’re on a phone, tablet, or laptop. Consider taking these steps on your kids’ behalf and, as they get older, teaching them how to secure their devices and build good online habits.

You get an unexpected call with some bad news: your name is linked to serious crimes, and your money is at risk, says the voice on the line. The next thing you know, he connects you with an “agent” who can supposedly help you resolve the issue. Your heart and mind are racing. But your gut is telling you to talk to someone you trust — or to get off the phone and search the internet for advice. So why would a helpful “agent” warn you not to talk to anyone or tell you to stay off the internet until he can fix the problem? Probably because that “agent” is really a scammer.

As the federal government shutdown stretches into its second month and more social benefit programs are disrupted, scammers are seizing the opportunity to exploit customers’ uncertainty and fear. State attorneys general, banks and media outlets are already warning of an uptick in fraud targeting beneficiaries of federal programs.

Scammers never miss a crisis. Millions of Americans are facing delays or confusion about healthcare, food assistance and other federal programs. That anxiety makes people more vulnerable to high-pressure tactics from criminals looking to steal money or personal information.