BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report 2025
BBB Institute has published its annual BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report, highlighting key scam trends based on reports submitted to BBB Scam Tracker in 2025. The findings show that scammers continue to adapt their tactics, with investment and cryptocurrency schemes, employment scams, online purchase fraud, text-message scams and impersonation among the areas consumers should watch closely.
The Riskiest Scams of 2025
Each year, BBB identifies the 10 riskiest scam types affecting consumers using the BBB Risk Index. Rather than looking only at how frequently a scam is reported, the index considers three factors: exposure (the percentage of all reports), susceptibility (the percentage involving a monetary loss), and median dollar loss.
The three riskiest scams in 2025 were:
- Investment/cryptocurrency scams
- Employment scams
- Online purchase scams
Investment/cryptocurrency and employment scams retained their positions for the third consecutive year, underscoring the persistent risk these schemes pose. BBB also continues to see employment scams involving cryptocurrency platforms, demonstrating how scammers are combining tactics to make fraudulent opportunities more convincing.
Investment and cryptocurrency scams were particularly costly, with a median reported loss of $5,000, the highest among scam types. Romance and friendship scams, which ranked No. 4 overall, had the second-highest median dollar loss at $4,500.
Online Shopping Remains a Major Target
Online purchase scams climbed to the No. 3 position and represented 28.4% of all scams published on BBB Scam Tracker in 2025. Among people targeted by online purchase scams, 89.3% reported losing money, highlighting the risks consumers face when shopping through unfamiliar websites, online advertisements and social media.
Social media remains an important avenue for scammers as well. Among survey respondents who interacted with scammers through social platforms, Facebook was the most frequently reported platform, followed by Instagram and TikTok.
Text-Message Scams Are Increasing
Scammers are also increasingly turning to consumers’ phones. Reports involving text messages increased from 9.8% of scams published on BBB Scam Tracker in 2024 to 14.9% in 2025.
Payment trends changed as well. Credit card use increased as a reported payment method, while every other reported payment method declined slightly.
Meanwhile, PayPal was the most frequently impersonated organization or brand in 2025, illustrating how scammers continue to exploit the names and reputations of familiar companies to gain consumers’ trust.
AI Is Making Scams More Convincing
Artificial intelligence is adding another layer of sophistication. BBB observed an increase in scam reports mentioning AI, which can be used to create more persuasive messages, realistic identities, fake advertisements, websites, reviews, images and videos.
Because AI can operate behind the scenes, consumers may not always recognize when it has been used. This makes independent verification increasingly important, particularly when an unexpected message involves money, employment, investments or requests for personal information.
The Impact Goes Beyond Financial Loss
While financial losses are a major concern, BBB’s research shows that scams can have broader consequences. Among people surveyed after reporting a scam, 28.7% said the experience affected their mental health. Anger was the most commonly reported emotional response, followed by loss of trust and anxiety, stress or trauma.
Repeat victimization is another concern: 14.7% of survey respondents said they had lost money to scams at least three times.
Protect Yourself: Stop, Verify and Think Before Acting
The 2025 findings reinforce a simple but important message: slow down before sending money, providing personal information or responding to an unexpected request.
Scammers frequently create urgency, fear or excitement to encourage people to act before verifying what they have been told. Before making a payment, accepting an unfamiliar job opportunity, investing money or purchasing from an unknown seller, take time to independently verify the person, company or offer.
Consumers can research suspicious activity and report scams through BBB Scam Tracker at BBB.org