Chicago scams surged in 2025, with online shopping fraud leading for the sixth year, per BBB data
Local Scam Volume Doubles in 2025
CHICAGO (WLS) — The overall volume of local top scams surged significantly, nearly doubling from 1,196 to 2,553 in the year ending December 31, 2025.
The Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois published its annual report on top scams. Online shopping scams have ranked first for the sixth consecutive year, fueled by a strong economy and the increasing popularity of online shopping, often influenced by deceptive pop-up ads.
The top three scams from last year remain unchanged: online purchase scams, phishing scams, and employment scams. Each of these categories has seen more than a twofold increase in reported cases. The BBB encourages individuals to report any scams they encounter, regardless of whether they lost money, to the BBB ScamTracker. Sharing information can help prevent others from falling victim.
Steve J. Bernas, president and CEO of the BBB, stated, “In many years, we have never seen anywhere near this type of increase. These results show that con artists keep coming up with various schemes and ways to entice all age groups, from young to old. The only way to put scammers out of business is not to give them your business.”
Scammers are using new tactics, including AI and deepfake technology. They conduct fake virtual or phone interviews in employment scams. Fraudsters often manipulate emotions to rush people into making quick buying decisions.
Bernas added, “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.”
Top 10 Local Scams to Watch in 2026
| Rank | Scam Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Online Purchase | Most often fake websites, often involving pets. |
| 2 | Phishing Scams | Clicking on scam links can lead to malware. |
| 3 | Employment | Scam job offers, often “work from home.” |
| 4 | Counterfeit Products | Clothing, electronics, shoes, purses, etc. |
| 5 | Advance Fee Loans | Online claims and tempting offers can mislead. |
| 6 | Identity Theft | These scams have surged with technology advances. |
| 7 | Credit Cards | Phony offers, thefts, and alarming texts about hacked accounts. |
| 8 | Debt Collections | Scare tactics and threats for immediate payment. |
| 9 | Government Agency Imposter | Scammers pretend to be IRS, Medicare, or Social Security. |
| 10 | Retail Business | Impersonation of trusted brands using fake websites. |
Some scams have dropped from the top 10, like investment and tech support scams, but they still cause significant losses, especially investment scams involving gold and cryptocurrency.
Details on Top Scams
– Online Purchase: Many reports involve fake websites, fraudulent transactions, and non-delivery of items. Shoppers have lost money through schemes like fake product sales and unauthorized charges.
– Phishing: Scammers impersonate legitimate organizations to gain trust. Victims receive urgent emails or messages asking for sensitive information. These scams can lead to identity theft and financial loss.
– Employment: Job offer scams promise employment but ask for personal information or payment for training. These often involve fake companies.
– Debt Collections: Scammers pose as debt collectors, using threats to demand immediate payment. They pressure people to pay using untraceable methods.
– Counterfeit Products: Complaints include receiving fake or low-quality items that do not match descriptions. Refunds are often difficult to obtain.
– Government Agency Imposter: Scammers impersonate officials from agencies like the IRS. They use threats to pressure people into compliance, often requesting sensitive information.
