It’s been a wild few days out there in scam land, and if you’re not paying attention, you could be the next headline. Just this week, the FBI dropped a bombshell, reporting over 5,100 complaints and a jaw-dropping $262 million lost to account takeover fraud since January. That’s right, scammers are impersonating banks, payroll services, even law enforcement, and they’re getting smarter by the minute. They’re not just sending phishing emails anymore—they’re using AI to craft messages that sound legit, and they’re buying ads to make their fake sites pop up at the top of search results. If you get a call or text from someone claiming to be your bank, saying there’s a problem with your account, don’t click any links. Hang up, call the bank directly, and verify. The FBI says these scams are targeting everyone, from individuals to big businesses, and the average loss per victim is over $51,000. That’s not pocket change.

And it’s not just happening in the US. Over in Korea, police just busted what they’re calling the country’s largest smishing ring. Thirteen people were arrested, accused of stealing more than 12 billion won—about $8.2 million—from over a thousand victims. They were sending texts that looked like wedding invitations or municipal notices, but the links installed malware on people’s phones. Once they had access, they activated new SIM cards, forged IDs, and drained bank and crypto accounts. Most of the victims were over 50, and police say middle-aged and older users need to be extra careful. If you get a text from someone you know with a link, call them to confirm before you click.

Here’s the kicker—scammers are also using fake e-commerce stores to steal payment info. Recorded Future says these scams are a major emerging threat, with attackers using traffic distribution systems to target specific victims and get them to authorize fraudulent payments themselves. That means the money moves fast, and it’s hard to get back. And don’t forget about the holiday scams. Visa’s 2025 Holiday Threats Report warns that package delivery scams and fake shopping sites are surging, with AI making the fake sites look more convincing than ever.

So, what can you do? Stay vigilant. Don’t click on links in unsolicited messages, use unique passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and monitor your accounts regularly. If something feels off, trust your gut. And if you think you’ve been scammed, contact your financial institution and report it to the FBI’s IC3 right away.

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