DAYTON, Ohio ( WDTN ) – Americans lost billions to fraud and scams in 2025, including $330 million in Ohio alone last year.
Thanks to evolving technology, 2026 is set to be even worse.
As we approach prime online shopping season, these dangers are greater than ever. Thus, it’s never been more important to be careful and cautious online.
“We have criminals that have truly made this an entire enterprise,” said Kenya Taylor, vice president of Chase Dayton. “This is all they do. This is not a part-time job.”
New scams, such as phishing, deepfakes, and fake voices, are everywhere on the internet. Unfortunately, this means old methods for detection are no longer reliable.
“You can deepfake and spoof pictures,” said John Morris, president & CEO of the Better Business Bureau. “You can deepfake and spoof languages much easier, so it’s a lot harder to catch a fake.”
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Phishing involves getting someone to click on a suspicious link, which will grant scammers access to personal information. Meanwhile, deepfakes can be anything from a fake image to a fake voice, and imitating a loved one’s voice over the phone can be a lot easier than you think.
“It only takes four seconds to record your voice to use it for fraud,” said Taylor.
So, what can people do to prevent themselves from being scammed? First of all, slow down.
“The fraudsters are always looking to get to your sense of urgency,” said Morris. “Do this, click now.”
Fake calls, emails, and links will typically attempt to rush you into a bad decision. If your bank seems to be sending you links to click on unprompted, take a moment to pause and check in with real people at your bank.
“Scammers are going to play on your emotions,” said Taylor. “They are psychological experts at this point.”
Secondly, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. This can include deals that are too cheap or unverified charities, particularly close to the holidays.
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“Make sure you hit that return button and see where it is actually going to return to,” said Morris. “Is it going back to the original address, or is it going to a weird address?”
Third, and perhaps most important, make a real-life password with your family. This way, if you hear their voice deepfaked on the phone, a word or phrase can ensure the person on the other end is actually your relative.
“Create something that, if there is fraud or some connectivity, you know whether it’s really a loved one or if it’s a scammer, then hang up on them,” said Taylor.
In an ever-changing landscape, threats to your personal finances do not rest.
“I recommend you get a look at your account every day because you might go to sleep just fine and wake up with a surprise, so stay vigilant,” said Taylor.
In celebration of fraud and scam prevention month coming up in November, JPMorgan Chase has events with local law enforcement agencies throughout October and November, with the first one on Oct. 28 at Chase Far Hills in Dayton from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
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