Scammers continue to adapt their tactics to catch targets off guard and take advantage of current global events. Looking for a cab at the airport? It might just come with a shocking fare if you get into the wrong car. And if you’re the one in the driver’s seat, stay alert or a quick stop for gas could turn an already expensive trip into a costly case of fraud.

All the while, deceptive advertisements remain widespread on social media. This has created a digital minefield for users who aren’t able to successfully pick out the fake ads from the real ones.

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• Pump-Switch Scam: As gas prices linger past $4 a gallon for the first time since 2022, a scam called pump-switching has become increasingly prevalent. It starts with a stranger approaching you at a self-service pump with an offer to pump your gas or return the nozzle for you. They may linger after you decline the offer and even take the nozzle from your hand. Once you drive off, the scammer avoids returning the nozzle properly, which leaves the transaction active. This lets them pump gas for other drivers in exchange for cash while your credit or debit card absorbs the charges. One Philadelphia woman’s $28 fill-up ballooned to $150 after she allowed a stranger to return her nozzle. Law enforcement officials say the scam “happens everywhere” and tends to spike whenever gas prices rise sharply, with women and elderly drivers most frequently targeted. If you’re paying for gas with a card, make sure to hang up the nozzle yourself and press the “end transaction” button on the keypad to avoid becoming a victim.
• Fake Airport Cabbies: Millions of Americans are hitting airports for spring break and summer travel. Unfortunately, so are unlicensed taxi “hustlers,” who are ramping up operations at arrival terminals. The moment you exit the baggage claim area, someone posing as a cab driver may approach you and offer a ride, only to charge you an exorbitant fare once near your destination. If you refuse to pay, the scammer may lock the car’s doors until you settle up. This is what happened to a Kenyan couple who were visiting New York City for the first time and paid $800 for a ride from John F. Kennedy Intl. Airport to Times Square. That’s a trip that might have cost around $70 in a licensed yellow taxi. Fraudulent taxi scams have grown more sophisticated since the pandemic, with “dispatchers” and drivers working in teams with walkie-talkies. A rule of thumb at any airport is to always proceed directly to the official taxi stand or use a reputable rideshare app.
• Scam Ads on Your Socials: A new report from the National Council on Aging sheds light on just how deeply social media scam ads are affecting older Americans. Focus groups conducted with adults aged 55 and older in Phoenix, Detroit and New York’s Westchester County found that every participant had experienced an online scam themselves or knew someone who had. This level of exposure has created a belief that scams are simply a “part of life online.” Participants described the harms as extending far beyond financial loss, with shame and embarrassment preventing many victims from seeking help, especially in scams involving romance and companionship. If you see a suspicious ad on social media — particularly one involving an investment opportunity or an urgent financial offer — report it directly to the platform and to the Federal Trade Commission, or FTC.

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The most common types of scam you should know

Scammers are constantly upping their game, coming up with new and exciting ways (for them) of fooling their targets. AI-powered scams are one example of this; the technology is being used to reach a larger number of people with increasingly more convincing schemes.

But some tricks never run out of style. Most scams fall into a handful of familiar patterns, and many long-standing schemes are still a threat today. They’ve just evolved to better fit today’s digital landscape.

1. Imposter scams: Scammers often pose as trusted figures such as government agencies, banks, employers and even friends or family to pressure victims into sending money or sharing personal information.
2. Phishing and spoofing scams:
These scams use emails, texts or phone calls that look like they’re from legitimate organizations. The goal is to trick you into clicking a malicious link, downloading malware or handing over sensitive information.
3. Online shopping scams: Fraudsters can create fake online stores or listings with hard-to-find items at unusually low prices. After you pay for an article, what you end up getting might be counterfeit — or it may never arrive in the first place.
4. Investment scams: This type of scam often arrives with promises of high returns from crypto, forex or other “exclusive” opportunities. Many involve long-term grooming tactics in which victims are encouraged to invest more over time before losing everything.
5. Romance scams: Some scammers try to get into your pocket through the heart. They build a relationship with you on dating apps or social media, then convince you to give up money and assets by fabricating emergencies or investment opportunities.

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What to do if you’re the target — or victim — of a scam

No one is immune to scams or fraud, but a few consistent habits can reduce their danger and the damage they cause.

For starters, be skeptical of unsolicited messages, especially those creating fear or urgency. This might look like an email from your bank threatening to close an account, a text from an online marketplace saying you’ll lose a discount or a call from the IRS claiming they’ll report you to the authorities unless you “act now.”

Scammers love to use this sort of language because it puts you on the spot, which they expect will move you to action.

Always verify any requests from an organization by cross-checking with its official phone numbers, email or website. And don’t click any links, download attachments or respond to messages you suspect may be fraudulent. A legitimate organization will not pressure you for instant action or secrecy.

Now, if you’ve already sent financial information or money to someone you suspect is a scammer, you’ll need to take a few steps to protect your data and possibly get your money reimbursed. Contact your bank, credit card issuer or payment platform immediately and attempt to stop or reverse the transactions. Make sure to change any relevant passwords and enable multi-factor authentication to safeguard your accounts, too.

Reporting a scam might also help protect others. You can file a report with the Federal Trade Commission and with local authorities at your nearby police department or sheriff’s office. Identity theft victims should also consider temporarily freezing their credit.

Lastly, review your financial statements and credit reports regularly, keep your software updated and limit how much personal information you share online. Scammers often rely on publicly available details to make their schemes more convincing.

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