Top Online Scams to Be Aware of in 2025

The internet is undoubtedly full of great content, hobbies, information, offers, products, and people, but there’s also a darker side to it. We might not realise it, but every day we’re exposed to threats and scams as we navigate the online world. Curiosity and trust can be exploited to lure people into surprisingly elaborate traps. Can we do something about it? Being aware is the first step, so let’s discuss the situation clearly and see how much of the solution lies in our own hands.

The Most Prevalent Online Scams in 2025

As technology evolves, so do the scams that rely on it. Let’s look at the types of fraud making headlines and the less visible ones that quietly threaten personal and financial data. Knowing about them gives us a point of reference — the first step to staying safe.

AI-Generated Phishing Attacks

The rise of artificial intelligence has led to emails, text messages and communications so hyper-realistic that they mimic the tone and style of the most trusted entities with astonishing accuracy. Common platforms for these attacks, like WhatsApp, Venmo and Cash App, are now the ideal stage for launching phishing attempts that are more convincing than ever.

They’re convincing mainly because AI enables two key adaptations. On one hand, it makes messages virtually identical to those a real company would send. On the other, by gathering personal data from social media, scammers can uniquely personalise each message — all thanks to AI’s powerful data processing capabilities.

To spot these threats, we need to carefully verify any suspicious web addresses and senders, and confirm financial transactions through alternative channels — something as simple as calling the contact number we already have saved is a great idea.

Setting up two-factor authentication correctly is also essential, and a frequent topic when learning how to avoid online scams. Building the habit of checking links before clicking and not giving out personal data too easily is just as important. It also helps to understand what phishing is and how it works, especially if we use platforms like Venmo, where new types of fraud are spreading quickly due to its popularity.

Crypto Investment and NFT Fraud

The boom in cryptocurrency and NFTs — and above all, the ease of access combined with a lack of knowledge — has led to offers that seem legitimate but are filled with exaggerated promises of quick profit that never materialise. Social media influencers promote shady ICOs and pump-and-dump schemes as if they were once-in-a-lifetime investment opportunities.

To assess the legitimacy of a platform or project, we should research the developers’ track record thoroughly. Just like with traditional investments, checking specialised forums and using multiple sources is key. When it comes to crypto, using wallets with a proven security history helps reduce risks. Staying up to date on the latest NFT-related scams and being immediately wary of any urgency in investment proposals is essential for making sound decisions. Rushing is a terrible advisor.

Deepfake Impersonation Scams

AI-driven video tools now allow criminals to create deepfakes that impersonate identities. Targets range from company executives to close relatives. The realism is shocking, and combined with the trust the victim already has in the impersonated person and the urgency of the message, the consequences can be devastating.

Spotting inconsistencies in tone of voice or video quality can help detect anomalies. If a message feels suspicious, the best approach is to ask for secondary verification through a video call or an alternative method. Just like before, there’s rarely a real urgency, and we can take a few seconds to ask personal questions that only the real person would be able to answer. These steps help us identify deepfake-based scams and avoid falling for them. Trust, but verify — that’s the smartest approach.

Fake Online Marketplaces and Seller Scams

E-commerce is another field where scams disguised as popular shops or artisan marketplaces demand our attention. Platforms like Etsy are sometimes plagued with fake storefronts and deceitful sellers offering non-existent products or items of much lower quality than advertised. These scams often come with payment systems that look secure but are under the control of the scammers.

To assess a seller, we can check their ratings and the domain’s age. Looking up reviews in forums outside the platform is also a solid idea. When making payments, using virtual cards or secure payment methods helps reduce the risk. Online shopping scams, even on sites like Etsy, are too common for us to navigate them without caution and proper safeguards.

Top Online Scams to Be Aware of in 2025

Tech Support Hoaxes and Geek Squad Scams

Legitimate tech support providers like Geek Squad are frequently impersonated. Pretending to be from reputable companies, attackers use pop-up ads or emails warning of fake viruses and attempt to gain remote access to the target’s device.

We must always confirm the legitimacy of any remote access request before granting it — sometimes it’s as simple as calling the company in question. In this context, downloading updates only from official sources and changing any passwords we had to share during real support sessions are good practices. These actions help us avoid tech support-related scams and fraud involving fake Geek Squad impersonators whose goals range from data theft to full system control.

Online File Converter and Utility Tool Scams

Trying to convert files or access premium tools for free is not a good idea. Fake file conversion sites may insert malware into the supposedly converted files, with disastrous consequences. These scams take advantage of urgent needs and mimic professional services while compromising the integrity of our devices.

Choosing reliable tools and checking their URLs and reviews, and always opting for official or well-known developer versions, is crucial. Reviewing website permission requests carefully and avoiding automatic downloads helps reduce the risk of fake file converter and malware scams.

Payment App Scams (Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, etc.)

Payment apps, due to their role in handling transactions, are another major target of what we call cash app scams. Scammers use tricks in these apps to create the illusion of duplicate charges, fake refunds or unauthorised access. The fake sense of danger creates panic and leads users to act without thinking.

When sending money, it’s best to enable official notifications from the service and verify transactions through other channels before confirming amounts and recipients. Staying informed on each platform’s policies, changing passwords occasionally, and enabling two-factor authentication are key ways to reduce the impact of financial scams and online fraud.

Psychological Tactics Used by Scammers

Regardless of the platform or excuse the scam is based on, there’s something common to all of them — something central to the psychology behind every attack. Knowing this and keeping it in mind is crucial to staying safe.

The most sophisticated scams rely on emotional manipulation, using social engineering to make information seem real and always adding urgency to provoke impulsive, irrational reactions. These tactics appear in everything from online dating scams and romance scams to gambling-related fraud like online casino scams.

Recognising these patterns — and remembering that urgency is never a good sign — trains us to respond more calmly and thoughtfully, even in apparently urgent situations. Understanding how social engineering works in fraud is one of the best defences we can develop.

Warning Signs and Red Flags of Online Scams

Aligned with the above, unexpected requests for personal information that pressure us to act quickly should always raise alarms. That overwhelming sense of urgency — without a clear reason or previous validation — should make us stop and examine the details.

At this point, it’s better to be overly cautious and contact the company or person supposedly behind the message using our own channels. Checking links before clicking — if we even decide to — and taking a moment to double-check the information is essential.

How to Protect Yourself in 2025

Alongside common sense — our strongest asset — we can strengthen our defence with specialised tools like Avast’s Scam Detector that helps us to protect ourselves. Enabling multi-factor authentication and using password managers adds a solid layer of protection against unauthorised access. But Avast, with its Scam Detector tool, helps on this topic and goes further by scanning suspicious links and emails, helping us spot threats even before interacting with them.

Keeping our apps and operating system updated and scheduling regular scans with Avast Antivirus help to ensure  we have the latest defences available against known vulnerabilities. Layer by layer, we build a safer digital environment where our financial transactions and personal data management are better protected.

What to Do If You Suspect or Fall Victim to a Scam

If we’re facing a suspicious situation or have experienced a breach, there are several steps we can take. First, switch off the affected device and use another to check the security of all our accounts — starting with the most important ones. Once we’ve changed passwords and secured access to key services, we can turn the device back on and focus on its protection.

The idea behind this is simple: isolating a compromised device helps protect our information. Once the accounts are safe, the compromised device becomes less dangerous, and we can deal with it without rushing. Also, a powered-off device — even if compromised — is not an active attack vector.

After running a thorough scan with Avast Antivirus and confirming that the device is once again secure, we move to the third phase: reporting the incident. It’s important to inform the platforms and relevant authorities and provide all available evidence. Reaching out to customer support on Venmo, WhatsApp or Etsy and reporting the case to the authorities or consumer protection agencies — depending on the severity — makes it easier to file claims and support investigations aimed at preventing future attacks.

Security Is in Our Hands

All things considered, common sense and the support of a reliable security platform are our two best tools for staying safe. Knowing the main types of online fraud and understanding how these scams work helps us respond better and strengthen the safety of our digital interactions.

Adopting smart habits, like reviewing suspicious communications — especially those flagged by our security software — and verifying major transactions through independent channels, is essential. Essential to navigate the web with confidence while protecting ourselves from the most common online scams. Security is in our hands.