In the bustling city of Chicago, the Better Business Bureau has issued a timely warning about the most prevalent scams that consumers should be wary of this year. Staying informed could be your best defense against these cunning fraudsters.

At the top of the list are online shopping scams. These deceits often involve counterfeit websites and misleading pop-up ads, particularly targeting those seeking pets or rare items. The strategy is simple and sinister: con artists pocket your money and vanish without a trace.

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Next, phishing scams are a significant threat. These schemes typically arrive via emails or text messages posing as legitimate communications from your bank, trusted merchants, or even government entities. Their goal is to create a false sense of urgency, compelling you to click on links that could compromise your personal information.

Employment scams rank third on the list of concerns. With the rise of remote work, fraudulent job offers, including fake interviews conducted with artificial intelligence, have become more prevalent. These scams often involve requests for sensitive personal information or upfront payments under the guise of securing employment.

To protect yourself from these scams, a cautious approach is essential. Take the time to independently verify the legitimacy of websites and companies. Remember, scammers thrive on panic and haste, so staying calm and informed is your best armor.

Full list of top 10 BBB scams:

1. Online Purchase – (Ranked #1 for the sixth year in a row – most often fake websites – often pets)
2. Phishing Scams – (Clicking on scam links can lead to malware – Imposter scams)
3.Employment – (Scam job offers – often “work from home”)
4. Counterfeit Products – (Clothing, electronics, shoes, purses, etc.)
5. Advance Fee Loans – (Online claims and temping offers can be a myriad of misinformation)
6. Identity Theft – (These scams have surged with advances in technology)
7. Credit Cards – (Phony offers, thefts, and scary texts saying your account has been hacked)
8. Debt Collections – (Scare tactics and threats, saying you owe money and they need payment immediately)
9. Government Agency Imposter – (Messages from scammers pretending to be IRS, Medicare, Social Security and other agencies demanding money or personal information)
10. Retail Business – (Growing impersonation of trusted retail brands such as Amazon, Apple, Walmart, and many others. Scammers use phony lookalike websites and offer special low prices and other lures designed to steal your money and personal information.)