Milwaukee, Wis. – Investment/cryptocurrency scams and employment scams remain the two riskiest scam types for consumers, according to the latest data reported through BBB Scam TrackerSM.
BBB Scam Tracker, launched in 2015, allows consumers to report scams and search reports submitted by others, helping BBB identify emerging fraud trends and warn consumers about evolving tactics.
The 2025 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report shows scammers are increasingly using digital channels to reach potential victims, while younger adults face significant risks from fraudulent employment opportunities.
Employment Scams Target Younger Adults
Employment scams represented more than 15% of all published scam reports and ranked as the #1 riskiest scam for adults ages 18 to 34. Tactics associated with these scams continue to expand as scammers take advantage of people searching for jobs, remote work and flexible employment opportunities.
Investment/cryptocurrency scams and employment scams maintained their positions as the top two riskiest scam categories, emphasizing the need for consumers to independently verify opportunities before sending money or providing sensitive information.
Social Media and Text Scams on the Rise
Social media was the contact method with the highest percentage of reports involvingamonetary loss. Survey respondents also reported being less confident about how to report fake advertisements on social media than scams encountered through phone calls or email.
Text messages are also becoming an increasingly common method for reaching potential victims. Text message scams increased from 9.8% of all published scam reports in 2024 to 14.9% in 2025.
Scammers continue to exploit trusted brands as well. According to reports submitted to BBB Scam Tracker, PayPal was the organization most frequently impersonated by scammers in 2025.
Repeat victimization remains a concern
Report findings also highlight an increase in repeat victimization. When we asked survey respondents to self-report, 14.7% reported losing money at least three times, up from 12.4% in 2024. Additionally, 4.6% reported losing money five or more times, up from 3.8% in 2024.
Repeat victims may be targeted again through different tactics, such as scammers posing as organizations or individuals offering to help recover previously lost money, repair credit, or consolidate debt.
“Scammers are constantly adapting their tactics to how consumers communicate, work, shop and invest,” said Melissa Lanning, executive director of BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust. “The growth of employment scams, fraudulent social media interactions and text message scams reinforces the importance of slowing down and independently verifying a request before sending money or sharing personal information.”
BBB Tips to Avoid Scams
- Research before responding. Independently verify businesses, job opportunities and investment offers.
- Be cautious with unexpected texts. Don’t click unfamiliar links or respond to messages creating a false sense of urgency.
- Verify employment opportunities. Contact the employer independently and confirm the position exists before providing personal or financial information.
- Question investment promises. Be wary of guaranteed returns, little or no risk, and pressure to act immediately.
- Don’t automatically trust familiar names. Scammers can impersonate legitimate companies and organizations.
- Use caution on social media. Independently research advertisements, sellers and opportunities before sending money.
- Report scams. Sharing scam experiences can help BBB identify emerging tactics and warn other consumers.
Resources
For more highlights from the 2025 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report, visit BBBMarketplaceTrust.org/RiskReport.
View the online version
View the BBB Wisconsin Top 10 Press Release
ABOUT THE BBB INSTITUTE FOR MARKETPLACE TRUST
The BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust (BBB Institute) is the educational foundation of the Better Business Bureau. Our mission is to advance marketplace trust through education, innovation, and collaboration with our network of BBBs and partners. Our consumer educational programs, which include a wide array of resources on fraud prevention and education, are delivered digitally and in person by BBBs serving communities across the United States and Canada. You can find more information about BBB Institute and its programs at BBBMarketplaceTrust.org.
For more information or further inquiries, contact the Wisconsin BBB at www.bbb.org/wisconsin, 414-847-6000 or 1-800-273-1002. Consumers also can find more information about how to protect themselves from scams by following the Wisconsin BBB on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
ABOUT BBB: The Better Business Bureau has empowered people to find businesses, brands, and charities they can trust for more than 110 years. In 2024, people turned to BBB.org more than 220 million times for BBB Business Profiles on 5.5 million businesses, and 725,000 times for BBB charity reports on 12,000 local and national charities. The International Association of Better Business Bureaus is the umbrella organization for the local, independent BBBs in the United States and Canada.
