Scammers are constantly evolving their tactics, and 2024 has already seen a variety of new and sophisticated scams. Here are some of the latest updates on scams to be aware of:Phone and Text ScamsRobocalls and Impersonation: Scammers use robocalls with increasingly natural-sounding voices to offer fake deals or issue threats. Impersonators might pose as IRS agents, police, or company representatives to trick you into sharing personal information​ (Experian)​.Text Scams (Smishing): Text message scams, or "smishing," have become more prevalent. These often involve messages that appear to be from banks, delivery services, or government agencies, prompting you to click on a link or provide personal information​ (Experian)​​ (IRS.gov)​.Payment App ScamsZelle, Venmo, and Cash App Scams: Fraudsters exploit these platforms by sending fake fraud alerts or posing as buyers in online transactions. They might ask you to send money to yourself, which actually goes to their account. These transactions are typically irreversible, making them particularly dangerous​ (Experian)​​ (Aura)​.Cryptocurrency ScamsRobocalls and 2FA Exploits: Scammers target cryptocurrency holders with robocalls claiming unauthorized account activity. They trick victims into sharing their two-factor authentication (2FA) codes, allowing them to take over the accounts and steal assets​ (Aura)​.Online Marketplaces and Social Media ScamsGoogle Voice Verification Scams: Scammers pose as buyers or lost pet finders to get your phone number and set up a Google Voice account in your name. They then use this account for further fraudulent activities​ (Aura)​.Romance and Job ScamsRomance Scams: These scams continue to rise, with fraudsters creating fake profiles on dating apps to gain victims' trust and then ask for money or personal information. In 2022 alone, people lost $1.3 billion to romance scams​ (Experian)​.Work-from-Home Job Scams: Scammers post fake job listings and impersonate recruiters to collect sensitive information or money for "training" and "supplies." These scams surged during the COVID-19 pandemic and remain prevalent​ (Aura)​.Phishing and Smishing ScamsThe IRS has highlighted phishing and smishing as major threats in 2024. These scams trick individuals into providing personal and financial information by pretending to be from legitimate organizations, including the IRS itself​ (IRS.gov)​.Prevention TipsTo protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited calls, texts, and emails. Never share personal information or authentication codes, and verify the legitimacy of any requests by contacting the organization directly through official channels. Additionally, use multifactor authentication that does not rely on SMS, such as an authenticator app, to secure your accounts​ (Experian)​​ (IRS.gov)​.Staying informed and vigilant is crucial in combating these evolving scams. For more detailed information and updates, visiting the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and other reliable sources is recommended.