September 23, 2025
By: Melissa “Mel” Lanning, Executive Director of the BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust
Scammers are everywhere – on our phones, our computers, in our social media groups. They even show up at our homes. And they target everyone – all age groups, all education and income levels.
Not all scam types are equal. Some do significantly more damage than others. While this can sound overwhelming, there are practical, effective steps that can reduce your risk. BBB has created resources that can help you before, during, and after a scam incident.
Before the scam: Build knowledge and use trusted resources
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- Find trustworthy businesses. Looking for a local plumber or a contractor to put on a new deck? You can avoid scammers and unethical businesses by searching BBB.org. BBB Accredited Businesses have met the BBB’s standards for trustworthiness and ethical business practices, and they are held to a certain standard of customer service. Find Accredited Businesses in your community at BBB.org.
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- Build Knowledge with the BBB Prevention Guide. Research confirms that knowledge about scams is protective. If you know the red flags of scams and how they are perpetrated, you will have a better chance of avoiding them. To help you boost your knowledge about scams, BBB created the BBB Prevention Guide, which features the BBB Risk Calculator, a tool where users can enter their age, gender, military affiliation, and country to view a list of the riskiest scams most reported by people matching that profile. The guide also includes a library of resources, quizzes to measure scam knowledge, and videos that teach awareness tips such as how to identify red flags. You can find the guide at BBB.org/ScamPrevention.
During the scam: Act cautiously and verify
Search BBB Scam Tracker. Is that email or text message you received legitimate? You should never respond directly to an unsolicited message, whether it arrived via email, text message, phone, or any other contact method. Instead, call the company or person directly to verify the message or the phone call you received is legitimate.
Another option is to search the published reports on BBB Scam Tracker. An advanced search function allows you to search by URL, email, phone number, and more to see if somebody has reported a similar situation. We estimate that the platform helped people avoid losing $43 million in 2024 alone. You can search at BBB.org/ScamTracker.
After the scam: Find support and report what happened
Get help with the BBB Scam Survival Toolkit.
According to BBB research, scam losses rose 30 percent in 2024. Beyond the financial impacts, more than 30 percent of people who experienced a scam said their mental health was impacted, and more than 50 percent felt anxiety, stress, or even trauma.
The BBB Scam Survival Toolkit (BBB.org/ScamSurvivalKit) uses trauma-informed design and empathetic language to calm, center, and connect users to vital resources. Featuring quotes from scam survivors and a user journey that is easy to navigate, the toolkit produces a personalized recovery plan and provides useful links to empower actions that can restore a person’s financial and mental/emotional well-being.
Why reporting scams matters
Whether or not money is lost, reporting a scam is one of the most powerful actions anyone can take. BBB uses this critical information to publish research and better target our consumer education initiatives. The resources reviewed in this article would not be possible without those who came forward to report.
You can report scams to BBB Scam Tracker (BBB.org/ScamTracker). All reports are shared with the Federal Trade Commission.
Note for caregivers and professionals
If you are a caregiver, family member, or professional who supports older adults, sharing these tools can make a real difference. Many people feel embarrassed becoming vulnerable to a scam—creating a shame-free, supportive space is critical to helping victims recover and report incidents.
Learn more about our research and resources at BBBMarketplaceTrust.org.