Cybersecurity Awareness: How to Stay Safe From Today’s Online Scams
Cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, and many recent scams are becoming harder to recognize. Scammers are no longer relying only on poorly written emails or obvious suspicious links. Today, they may use realistic text messages, fake websites, QR codes, spoofed phone numbers, or even artificial intelligence to impersonate people and organizations you trust.
In 2025, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received more than 1 million complaints of suspected internet crime, with reported losses exceeding $20 billion. Investment-related fraud, business email compromise, and tech support scams were among the largest reported loss categories. The FTC also reported that consumers lost $3.5 billion to imposter scams in 2025, with reported losses nearly tripling since 2020.
One newer concern is the use of artificial intelligence in fraud. Scammers may use AI-generated voices to impersonate a family member, executive, vendor, or financial institution. For example, a caller may claim there is an emergency and pressure you to send money or share sensitive information quickly. The FTC has warned that voice cloning can be used to make these scams sound more convincing.
Phishing emails and text messages also remain common. These messages often create urgency, such as claiming your account will be locked, a package cannot be delivered, or a payment failed. Some scams now use QR codes that direct people to fake login pages. A good rule of thumb is: do not click links or scan QR codes from unexpected messages. Instead, go directly to the official website by typing the address yourself or using a saved bookmark.
To help protect yourself, slow down before taking action. Scammers often rely on urgency, secrecy, or fear. Be cautious of messages or calls that ask you to move money, provide a password, share a verification code, buy gift cards, or “confirm” personal information. If something feels unusual, verify it through a separate trusted method, such as calling the person or company using a known phone number.
It is also important to keep your devices and accounts secure. Use strong, unique passwords for important accounts and turn on multifactor authentication whenever possible. Keep your phone, computer, browser, and apps updated, since many updates fix known security risks. CISA recommends turning on automatic updates to make this easier.
Finally, if you believe you clicked a suspicious link or shared information, act quickly. Change your password, contact your financial institution if money or account information may be involved, and report the scam to the appropriate agency. The sooner you respond, the better chance you have of limiting potential harm.
Quick Red Flags to Watch For
Be cautious if a message or caller:
- Creates urgency or says you must act immediately
- Asks for passwords, verification codes, or account numbers
- Requests payment by wire transfer, cryptocurrency, gift card, or payment app
- Claims to be a family member, executive, vendor, bank, or government agency but the request feels unusual
- Sends a link or QR code asking you to log in or update information
- Tells you not to discuss the request with anyone else
Resources
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “Cybersecurity Advisories.” CISA, www.cisa.gov/news-events/cybersecurity-advisories. Accessed 30 July 2026.
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “Update Software.” Secure Our World, CISA, www.cisa.gov/secure-our-world/update-software. Accessed 30 July 2026.
Federal Bureau of Investigation. 2025 Internet Crime Report. Internet Crime Complaint Center, 2026, www.fbi.gov/file-repository/2025_ic3report.pdf/view.
Federal Trade Commission. “Fighting Back Against Harmful Voice Cloning.” Consumer Advice, Federal Trade Commission, 8 Apr. 2024, consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/04/fighting-back-against-harmful-voice-cloning.
Federal Trade Commission. “FTC Data Show People Reported Losing $3.5 Billion to Imposter Scams in 2025.” Federal Trade Commission, 2026, www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/06/ftc-data-show-people-reported-losing-3-point-5-billion-imposter-scams-2025.
Emerald Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and, unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.
