Common Scams to be Aware of in 2025
10/06/2025
Fraudsters are constantly adapting their tricks, and 2025 has brought new versions of old scams. Fortunately, by knowing what to watch for, you can protect yourself and your money. Here are the most common scams we’re seeing this year and how to avoid them.
1. Charity & Crisis Relief Scams
Scammers often take advantage of natural disasters or world events to prey on people’s generosity. After hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, or during the holiday season, fake charities pop up online asking for donations.
How to protect yourself:
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Always research the charity through their official website or a trusted third-party source before donating.
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Be cautious if you feel pressured to give right away.
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Look for red flags like requests for gift cards or wire transfers.
2. Debt Scams
Fraudsters may impersonate collection agencies or government offices, claiming you owe overdue tolls, taxes, or fines. They often use urgent or threatening language, saying they’ll turn you into law enforcement if you don’t pay immediately.
How to protect yourself:
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Legitimate agencies won’t demand payment through gift cards or money transfers.
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Verify debts by contacting the agency directly using an official phone number or website.
3. Impersonation & Phishing Scams
These scams trick you into sharing personal information by pretending to be trusted organizations like your bank, the DMV, or even Family Trust. Messages often look official and may include fake links.
How to protect yourself:
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Never click suspicious links or download attachments from unexpected emails or texts.
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Contact the company directly if you’re unsure.
4. Delivery Scams
A common tactic is sending texts or emails that appear to be from UPS, Amazon, or FedEx. They’ll claim your package couldn’t be delivered and ask you to “update” personal details.
How to protect yourself:
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Check the status of your orders directly through the retailer’s website or app.
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Be cautious of any message that asks for sensitive information like address or your credit card number.
5. Romance Scams
Fraudsters pose as individuals online, building emotional connections with victims. They often make excuses for why they can’t meet in person or on video calls and share stories of hardship to gain sympathy. Once they gain your trust, they immediately exploit it, often using crafted stories and crises to urgently request money.
How to protect yourself:
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Be wary of anyone who professes strong feelings quickly or avoids meeting in person.
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Recognize the signs of love bombing, a tactic where individuals flood their victim with flattery, compliments, and affection to control their victim.
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Never send money, gift cards, or account details to someone you haven’t met.
Common Payment Methods Scammers Use
No matter the scam, fraudsters often ask for payment in ways that are difficult to trace:
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Gift cards
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Wire transfers
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Peer-to-peer (P2P) apps like PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, CashApp, ApplePay
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Cryptocurrency
Be on high alert if someone asks you to pay using one of these methods.
Stay Protected
Fraudsters are clever, but staying informed is your best defense. At Family Trust Federal Credit Union, we’re committed to helping you safeguard your accounts.
Remember, if something feels off, it probably is. Trust your intuition and always stop, research, and verify that something is real before you act.
If you receive a suspicious message or think you may be the target of a scam, contact us right away.
A Reminder from Family Trust
We will never:
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Ask for your digital banking username or password
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Request your card number, PIN, or Social Security number through text, phone, or email
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Tell you to lie to our staff, keep a transaction secret, or move money in unusual ways