The federal government is ramping up its response to scams. Last week, the White House issued an executive order targeting cybercrime, fraud and foreign scam centers, signaling a broader push to disrupt the organized networks behind many of today’s schemes.
Officials say these operations often span borders and rely on increasingly sophisticated tactics to target Americans at scale. The directive calls for a coordinated, multiagency effort to identify and dismantle these groups. But despite the initiative, criminals aren’t slowing down, instead finding new ways to fool their targets.
In this week’s roundup, we cover how fraudsters are scamming people by sending fabricated court notices, posing as members of well-known Christian charities and breaking into devices by tricking their users with fake CAPTCHA prompts.
Where People Are Protecting Their Privacy Online Right Now
- NordVPN: Hide Your IP and Location Every Time You Surf the Web
- Surfshark VPN: Bundle All Your Devices Into One Low-Price Plan
- Lifelock by Norton: Identity Theft Protection That Defends Against Scams and More Online Theft Attempts
- You’ve Been Served (a Scam): Law enforcement agencies across multiple states are warning about fraudulent “court order” notices being mailed or posted online to victims. In some cases, the documents include QR codes directing recipients to payment portals, where they’re told to pay fines or face legal consequences. Officials say the notices are designed to look official, complete with seals, case numbers and legal language — but they’re entirely fabricated. As a reminder, legitimate courts will not demand payment via QR codes or unsolicited messages; recipients should verify any legal notice directly before taking action.
- Charity in Name Only: Scammers posing as members of Catholic Charities are targeting immigrants across the U.S according to EWTN news. Fraudsters impersonate members of the humanitarian aid organization to offer immigration-related services or assistance in exchange for fees — services that never materialize. The scammers typically reach out via social media or text, using both Catholic Charities forms and official government immigration forms to fool targets. Because the group has a strong reputation and widespread name recognition, victims may be more likely to trust the outreach. Dioceses in Virginia, Raleigh and Arlington have released warning flyers in English and Spanish to prevent further victims from falling prey to the fraud scheme.
- Verification Traps: A new twist on CAPTCHA scams is tricking Windows users into infecting their own devices. The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) reports that instead of simply clicking images or typing text, some fake CAPTCHA prompts now instruct users to run commands on their computers, often under the guise of a “security check.” Following these steps can install malware or give scammers access to sensitive information, including saved passwords, login information and screenshots of your computer. Because CAPTCHA tests are so common online, victims may not think twice before complying. If you’ve been affected, the ITRC recommends you immediately turn off your Wi-Fi or unplug your internet cable, use a different device to change your passwords and scan the targeted device with an antivirus.
Where People Are Protecting Their Privacy Online Right Now
- NordVPN: Hide Your IP and Location Every Time You Surf the Web
- Surfshark VPN: Bundle All Your Devices Into One Low-Price Plan
- Lifelock by Norton: Identity Theft Protection That Defends Against Scams and More Online Theft Attempts
Protect your digital life: See Lifelock’s current identity theft plans and get your first year of the standard plan for just $7.99 a month
The most common types of scam you should know
Scammers are constantly upping their game, coming up with new and exciting ways (for them) of fooling their targets. AI-powered scams are one example of this: the technology is being used to reach a larger number of people with increasingly more convincing schemes.
But some tricks never run out of style. Most scams fall into a handful of familiar patterns, and those of yore are still very much a threat today — they’ve just evolved to better fit today’s digital landscape.
- Imposter scams: Scammers often pose as trusted figures like government agencies, banks, employers and even friends or family to pressure victims into sending money or sharing personal information.
- Phishing and spoofing scams: These scams use emails, texts or phone calls that look like they’re from legitimate organizations. The goal is to trick you into clicking a malicious link, downloading malware or handing over sensitive information.
- Online shopping scams: Fraudsters can create fake online stores or listings with hard-to-find items at unusually low prices. After you pay for an article, what you end up getting might be counterfeit — or it may never arrive in the first place.
- Investment scams: This type of scam often arrives with promises of high returns from crypto, forex or other “exclusive” opportunities. Many involve long-term grooming tactics, where victims are encouraged to invest more over time before losing everything.
- Romance scams: Some scammers try to get into your pocket through the heart. They build a relationship with you on dating apps or social media, then convince you to give up money and assets by fabricating emergencies or investment opportunities.
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What to do if you’re the target — or victim — of a scam
No one is immune to scams or fraud, but a few consistent habits can reduce their danger and the damage they cause.
For starters, be skeptical of unsolicited messages, especially those creating fear or urgency. This might look like an email from your bank threatening to close an account, a text from an online marketplace saying you’ll lose a discount or a call from the IRS claiming they’ll report you to the authorities unless you “act now.”
Scammers love to use this sort of language because it puts the target on the spot, which expects hope will move you to act.
Suffice it to say, always verify any requests from an organization by cross-checking with its official phone numbers, email or website. And don’t click any links, download attachments or respond to messages you suspect may be fraudulent. A legitimate organization will not pressure you for instant action or secrecy.
Now, if you’ve already sent financial information or money to someone you suspect is a scammer, you’ll need to jump through some hoops. Contact your bank, credit card issuer or payment platform immediately and attempt to stop or reverse transactions. Make sure to change any relevant passwords and enable multi-factor authentication to safeguard your accounts, too.
Reporting a scam might also help protect others. You can file a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov and with local authorities at your nearby police department or sheriff’s office. Identity theft victims should also consider momentarily freezing their credit.
Lastly, review your financial statements and credit reports regularly, keep your software updated and limit how much personal information you share online. Scammers often rely on publicly available details to make their schemes more convincing.
The federal government is ramping up its response to scams. Last week, the White House issued an executive order targeting cybercrime, fraud and foreign scam centers, signaling a broader push to disrupt the organized networks behind many of today’s schemes.
Officials say these operations often span borders and rely on increasingly sophisticated tactics to target Americans at scale. The directive calls for a coordinated, multiagency effort to identify and dismantle these groups. But despite the initiative, criminals aren’t slowing down, instead finding new ways to fool their targets.
In this week’s roundup, we cover how fraudsters are scamming people by sending fabricated court notices, posing as members of well-known Christian charities and breaking into devices by tricking their users with fake CAPTCHA prompts.
Where People Are Protecting Their Privacy Online Right Now
NordVPN: Hide Your IP and Location Every Time You Surf the Web
Surfshark VPN: Bundle All Your Devices Into One Low-Price Plan
Lifelock by Norton: Identity Theft Protection That Defends Against Scams and More Online Theft Attempts
You’ve Been Served (a Scam): Law enforcement agencies across multiple states are warning about fraudulent “court order” notices being mailed or posted online to victims. In some cases, the documents include QR codes directing recipients to payment portals, where they’re told to pay fines or face legal consequences. Officials say the notices are designed to look official, complete with seals, case numbers and legal language — but they’re entirely fabricated. As a reminder, legitimate courts will not demand payment via QR codes or unsolicited messages; recipients should verify any legal notice directly before taking action.
Charity in Name Only: Scammers posing as members of Catholic Charities are targeting immigrants across the U.S according to EWTN news. Fraudsters impersonate members of the humanitarian aid organization to offer immigration-related services or assistance in exchange for fees — services that never materialize. The scammers typically reach out via social media or text, using both Catholic Charities forms and official government immigration forms to fool targets. Because the group has a strong reputation and widespread name recognition, victims may be more likely to trust the outreach. Dioceses in Virginia, Raleigh and Arlington have released warning flyers in English and Spanish to prevent further victims from falling prey to the fraud scheme.
Verification Traps: A new twist on CAPTCHA scams is tricking Windows users into infecting their own devices. The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) reports that instead of simply clicking images or typing text, some fake CAPTCHA prompts now instruct users to run commands on their computers, often under the guise of a “security check.” Following these steps can install malware or give scammers access to sensitive information, including saved passwords, login informati
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