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In a remarkable turn of events, the number of top scams in the local area has surged, nearly doubling from 1,196 to an astonishing 2,553 in the year ending December 31, 2025.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Chicago and Northern Illinois unveiled its annual list of leading scams, revealing that online shopping scams have claimed the top spot for the sixth year in a row. This trend is fueled by a thriving economy and the increasing allure of online shopping, often propelled by deceptive or misleading pop-up advertisements.
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Interestingly, the top three scams remain unchanged from the previous year, with phishing and employment scams still trailing closely behind online shopping scams. This year, all three categories have seen a dramatic increase in occurrences. The BBB encourages individuals to report scams to the BBB ScamTracker, regardless of whether they have suffered financial losses, as sharing this information can help protect others.
Steve J. Bernas, president and CEO of the BBB, remarked, “In many years, we have never witnessed such a surge. These results indicate that scammers are continually devising new schemes to target people of all ages. The best way to stop these fraudsters is by refusing to engage with them financially.”
Scammers are constantly evolving their tactics, even employing AI and deepfake technologies to set traps. In the realm of employment scams, they often conduct fake virtual or phone interviews. One tactic remains constant: exploiting emotions and pressuring individuals into hasty purchasing decisions.
Bernas adds, “The key red flags remain the one-two punch of fraudsters… evoking a high emotion of excitement or fear and demanding immediate payment, often in the form of bank transfers, gift cards, or wires.”
Below is the official list and some descriptions of the local top scams.
Top 10 local scams to watch out for in 2026
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.)
While some scams have fallen off the top 10, such as investment and tech support scams, they are still common with big money losses, especially investment scams, which include gold and cryptocurrency.
Some additional information on some of the top 10:
– Online Purchase: Numerous reports of online scams involving fake websites, fraudulent transactions, and non-delivery of purchased items. Shoppers have lost money through various schemes, including fake product sales, unauthorized charges, and phishing attempts.
– Phishing:Scammers often impersonate legitimate organizations or individuals to gain trust. Victims receive emails, messages, or phone calls that appear to be from trusted sources. The communication usually contains a sense of urgency, prompting people to act quickly. Scammers request sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers, or social security numbers. People may be directed to fake websites that mimic legitimate ones to capture their information. Phishing scams can lead to identity theft, financial loss, and unauthorized access to personal accounts.
– Employment: There have been several job offer scams in which individuals were promised employment but asked to provide personal information, pay for training, or purchase equipment. These scams often involved fake companies and fraudulent checks.
– Debt Collections: Scammers pose as legitimate debt collectors or law enforcement officials. People receive threatening calls or messages demanding immediate payment of a supposed debt. Scammers often use aggressive tactics, including threats of arrest, lawsuits, or wage garnishment. People are pressured to pay using untraceable methods such as wire transfers, prepaid cards, or cryptocurrency.
– Counterfeit Products: There were multiple complaints about receiving fake or low-quality products that did not match the advertised descriptions. People faced difficulties obtaining refunds or returning items, often due to unresponsive customer service.
– Government Agency Imposter:Scammers pose as officials from government agencies such as the IRS, Social Security Administration, or local law enforcement. People receive threatening calls, emails, or letters claiming they owe money or need to provide personal information. Scammers often use scare tactics, such as threats of arrest, deportation, or fines, to pressure people into compliance. People are instructed to use nontraditional methods of payment. Scammers may use spoofed phone numbers or official-looking documents to appear legitimate. Victims may be asked to provide sensitive information, which can lead to identity theft and financial loss.
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