10/13/2026
Web of Deception: How to Prevent the Latest Online Scams
Get the latest statistics on “PayPal” scams, and learn to stay safe from phony job recruiters, fake charities, sextortion schemes, and even election scams.
By Gene Petrino on Dec 04, 2025
The internet connects us with great people and helpful services 24/7. Unfortunately, it can also expose us to scams that threaten our personal information, privacy, and safety.
That’s why it is essential to stay informed about the latest scams. With that in mind, we’re bringing you new insights from our survey of over 1,000 American adults about their recent experiences with cybercriminals and the latest online schemes. We’ll also show you how to spot and stop fraudulent activity online and protect your data.
Here are the key findings from our research on online scams:
• 85% of people who use payment apps like PayPal or Venmo experienced some form of attempted or successful scams in 2024, up from 83% in late 2023 and 42% in 2021.
• 52% of cryptocurrency owners have been targets of crypto scams. Most often, they took the form of “pump and dump” schemes, which involve artificially inflating the price of a cryptocurrency through misleading hype, and then selling off large holdings at the peak, causing the price to crash.
• Malicious links in text messages are becoming more and more common: 72% percent of Americans have received a text from someone they didn’t know, and 15% have clicked on links in texts from unknown senders.
• 1 in 4 adult social media users have been targeted by scammers in 2024, most often on Facebook and Instagram.
• Though the FBI reports tens of thousands of sextortion victims annually, with losses exceeding $139 million, less than half of adults have heard of sextortion.
17 Scams To Be Aware of in 2026:
1. Peer-To-Peer Payment App Scams
2. Malicious Link or Phishing Text Message Scams
3. Cryptocurrency Scams
4. Social Media Scams
5. Sextortion Scams
6. Election Scams
7. Gaming Scams
8. Investment Scams
9. Online Ticket Scams
10. Fake Charity Scams
11. Voice Cloning and Grandparent Scams
12. Deepfake Photo and Video Scams
13. SIM Card Scams
14. Fake Home Rental Scams
15. Survey and Quiz Scams
16. Fake Job Interview and Training Scams
17. Fake Subscription Renewal Scams
Peer-to-peer payment scams, phishing frauds, cryptocurrency schemes, and various gaming scams have become more sophisticated in recent years. Other prevalent scams include IRS impersonation attempts and student loan forgiveness frauds. The continued growth of e-commerce has also fueled an increase in package delivery scams.
Avoiding Scams in 2026
With online fraud rising, too many Americans are exposed to sophisticated scams. We’ve mostly seen many victims from peer-to-peer payment apps and unsolicited texts.
By recognizing the warning signs, being cautious with your personally identifiable information, and verifying the legitimacy of offers, you can safeguard your online security and financial well-being. Always remain aware – skeptical even – of random or too-good-to-be-true offers. Always verify who is contacting you, even if it takes a few extra minutes. Many times, it’s better to respond to the company directly by finding contact information on an official website.
Remember to conduct research, trust your instincts, and seek reputable sources when in doubt. With these precautions in mind, we can confidently navigate the digital realm, sidestepping the traps of new internet scams and ensuring a safer online experience for ourselves and others. Besides, you read this article, which means you are already several steps ahead.