#15: Online Dating Scams, Brushing Scams, Current Hot SMS Scams: New Year, Same Tricks

Happy New Year! As we step into 2025, scammers are already busy exploiting dating platforms, online shopping, and New Year’s excitement. Let’s dive into the week’s top stories and what they mean for the fight against fraud.

NATE'S TAKE - JANUARY 7, 2025

Top Three This Week

1. Online Dating Scams: A $1.3 Billion Problem and a Legislative Push for Solutions
2. Brushing Scams: The Phantom Purchases That Are Causing Real Trouble
3. Current Hot SMS Scams: New Year, Same Tricks

1. Online Dating Scams: A $1.3 Billion Problem and a Legislative Push for Solutions

Online dating scams cost Americans over $1.3 billion last year, making them one of the most financially devastating forms of fraud. Scammers exploit dating platforms to build trust with victims, often weaving elaborate stories to justify requests for money. These schemes range from fake medical emergencies to investment scams, all designed to siphon funds from unsuspecting users.

To combat this growing issue, a bipartisan bill introduced in Congress—the Protecting Americans from Dating Scams Act (H.R. 6125)—aims to address the problem at its source. The bill would require online dating platforms to verify user identities and educate members about common scam tactics. It also emphasizes collaboration between dating platforms and federal agencies to share information on fraudulent activity, a crucial step in disrupting these networks.

This legislative effort reflects the broader need for accountability in the digital space. By holding platforms responsible for protecting users and equipping them with tools to recognize red flags, lawmakers hope to make online dating safer for everyone.

For fraud fighters, this initiative underscores the importance of proactive detection and education. While legislative changes may take time to implement, partnerships between platforms, government agencies, and fraud detection teams are essential to tackling scams at their roots.

2. Brushing Scams: The Phantom Purchases That Are Causing Real Trouble

Brushing scams, where fraudsters send unsolicited packages to individuals, are making headlines again. These scams often involve fake orders placed using stolen information to boost product rankings on e-commerce platforms. While receiving “free” items may seem harmless, brushing scams can signal more serious problems, such as compromised personal data or unauthorized use of accounts.

Victims of brushing scams are often unaware that their information has been used to create fake orders. Worse, these scams can erode trust in e-commerce systems by flooding platforms with illegitimate reviews and inflated product ratings.

Fraud teams should focus on identifying patterns of fake orders and monitoring suspicious spikes in product reviews. For consumers, the best defense is to report unsolicited packages and review account activity for unauthorized charges. Brushing scams may seem like a nuisance, but they’re part of a larger ecosystem of fraud that requires vigilance from all sides.

3. Current Hot SMS Scams: New Year, Same Tricks

As the new year begins, scammers are ramping up SMS-based schemes, targeting everything from fake New Year’s deals to phishing attempts disguised as bank notifications, Amazon account warnings, and delivery service updates. These scams often lure victims with urgent messages, directing them to click on malicious links or provide sensitive information.

For example, counterfeit “New Year Sale” links claim to offer steep discounts on popular items but instead lead to fake websites designed to steal payment details. Similarly, SMS messages posing as banks or Amazon warn of account issues, urging recipients to “verify” their accounts through fraudulent login pages. Delivery scams are also rampant, with fake messages claiming packages need rescheduling or payment, tricking recipients into revealing personal or financial data.

These scams share a common goal: exploiting urgency to bypass critical thinking. Fraud teams should monitor for patterns in phishing domains and SMS campaigns that coincide with seasonal trends. For consumers, the key defense is caution—never click on links from unsolicited messages and verify information directly through official websites or apps.

As scammers adapt to seasonal and contextual cues, staying informed and vigilant can help disrupt their efforts before they succeed.

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That’s all for this week! For more insights, follow us on LinkedIn or X, and if you want to learn more about what we do, visit www.specprotected.com.