Scams news and trends

Retailers Report 69% Increase in Phone Scams as Shoplifting Dips

August 02, 2026
shoplifting fraud
House Republicans Urge Expanded Use of AI to Combat Financial Fraud
Artificial Intelligence // July 27, 2026

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming financial fraud, giving criminal organizations the ability to generate convincing scams at unprecedented scale. But according to a report issued last week by Republicans on the House Financial Services Committee, AI can also provide financial institutions and government agencies with...

Feds Move to Seize $25 Million in Crypto From Scammers
Cryptocurrency // July 22, 2026

Federal authorities hope to recover $25 million in cryptocurrency connected to romance/investment scam investigations. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required. yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS...

Ransomware Negotiator Gets 6 Years in Prison for Assisting Scammers
Cybersecurity // July 12, 2026

A cybersecurity expert has been sentenced to prison for helping criminals scam his clients. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required. yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS...

WhatsApp Steps Up Fight Against Account Impersonation
Facebook / Meta // July 01, 2026

WhatsApp recently began offering usernames, designed to help people connect while keeping their phone numbers private. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required. yesSubscribe to our daily...

Interviews & Exclusives
53% of Scam Victims Recover Money When They Tell Their Bank

March 23, 2026
A scam often works because the payment happens before the victim has time to think. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required. yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today. By completing this form, you agree to receive […]

Behind the Top Scams Consumers Face and the Defenses That Work

January 13, 2026
Fraudsters are nothing if not creative, constantly reshaping old tricks with new technology to stay one step ahead of consumers and the institutions that serve them. Get the Full Story...

Account Takeovers Surge as Banks Scramble to Respond

December 22, 2025
Fraudsters are constantly evolving, and banks are struggling to keep up. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS...

AI-Powered Scams Force Banks Into Real-Time Fraud Defense

December 18, 2025
Watch more: The Digital Shift: Block’s Brian Boates  Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no...

Quick Reads
Retailers Report 69% Increase in Phone Scams as Shoplifting Dips

August 02, 2026
Efforts by American retailers to prevent shoplifting appear to be paying off. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required. yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today. By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from […]

Feds Move to Seize $25 Million in Crypto From Scammers

July 22, 2026
Federal authorities hope to recover $25 million in cryptocurrency connected to romance/investment scam investigations. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access...

Ransomware Negotiator Gets 6 Years in Prison for Assisting Scammers

July 12, 2026
A cybersecurity expert has been sentenced to prison for helping criminals scam his clients. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access...

WhatsApp Steps Up Fight Against Account Impersonation

July 01, 2026
WhatsApp recently began offering usernames, designed to help people connect while keeping their phone numbers private. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited...