(BPT) - "I was in the middle of a busy day and clicked without thinking," Cory recalled. "My phone stopped working almost immediately."
Cory had received a text that looked like it came from his phone carrier, warning that someone was trying to access his account. It asked him to click a link to verify.
When he did, a scammer hijacked his phone number and ported it to a new device. It left him locked out, vulnerable and shaken.
"I'm a fitness coach - I talk to clients all day," Cory said. "The thought that someone could impersonate me or access those conversations was awful."
Stories like Cory's are exactly why online protection company McAfee launched Scam Stories - a movement to help people speak out, reduce stigma, and help others stay safe by sharing what they've been through.
Henry, a college student in Dallas, showed up at a concert venue hoping for last-minute tickets to see Tyler, the Creator. He found a seller on social media who claimed to have two extras.
The warning signs were there - escalating demands, changing terms, emotional pressure - but he didn't want to miss the show.
"I sent $280 and got blocked," Henry recounted. "We never made it inside."
Scammers Are Getting Smarter - And Faster
Cybersecurity experts are seeing a sharp rise in scams powered by AI and social engineering, just like what happened to Cory and Henry.
Deepfake scams alone jumped tenfold in 2024, with North America experiencing a 1,740% spike. But manipulated videos aren't the only factor driving the surge.
Scammers are also posing as banks, toll agencies or the IRS in text messages; sending emails that look like they're from your employer or customer support; disguising phishing links as delivery updates; and impersonating friends or family on social media to gain trust.
The scale of the problem is growing. Research shows 59% of people worldwide know someone who's fallen for an online scam. Among young adults aged 18 to 24, that number rises to 77%.
More than a third of scam targets report feeling significant emotional distress afterward, and one in five say the experience made them lose trust in online services altogether.
How to Spot a Scam and Stay Safer Online
Online safety experts say the best defense is a mix of awareness, caution and digital tools. Experts recommend that you:
- Don't click on links in unsolicited texts or emails. If it looks suspicious, go straight to the source.
- Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) across your accounts.
- Use different passwords for different accounts, or use a password manager.
- Don't rush. Pressure tactics are a scammer's go-to move.
- Watch for deepfake red flags like strange blinking, odd lighting, or mismatched voice timing.
- Invest in a scam detection tool that automatically flags risky texts, emails, and videos before harm is done.
Breaking the Silence Around Scams
Scammers count on people staying silent. But by sharing what happened, victims not only reclaim their stories - they help others stay safer too.
"If it can happen to me," Henry said, "it can happen to anyone."
To explore scam red flags, get protection tips, and try McAfee's Scam Detector, visit mcafee.com/scam-detector.
