Scammers Target Specific Platforms with Tailored Tactics

Malwarebytes has released findings indicating that scammers are increasingly customizing their tactics based on the platform they use to reach victims. The research, based on global data from April 15 to July 14, 2026, shows that 90% of toll scams are sent via email or text, while 60% of romance scams originate on social media. Each type of scam has a preferred delivery method, with fake giveaways primarily appearing on social media, and IRS scams predominantly communicated through phone calls. The web remains the most common platform for scams, with Malwarebytes blocking around 500,000 phishing websites daily. Notably, YouTuber MrBeast is the most impersonated individual in scams, involved in approximately 30% of such incidents. The peak time for scam texts is noon ET, with Fridays seeing a significant increase in scam activity. This tailored approach by scammers highlights the need for increased awareness and vigilance among users.

Key Points: • 90% of toll scams are delivered via email or text. • MrBeast is the most impersonated figure in scams, accounting for 30% of impersonation cases. • Scam texts peak at noon ET, with Fridays experiencing the highest volume.