As technology evolves and scammers become more sophisticated, fraud continues to adapt. In 2025, criminals relied heavily on urgency, impersonation, and emotional manipulation — tactics that are unlikely to disappear as we move into 2026.
Awareness remains one of the strongest defenses against fraud. Below are some of the most common and costly scams we’ve seen, along with links to our Fraud Friday articles that break each one down in more detail.
- Check Washing Scams
Criminals steal checks from mailboxes, alter the payee or amount, and deposit them as their own. These scams continue to rise as paper checks remain in circulation.
https://www.gcsbank.com/news/fraud-friday-beware-of-check-washing-scams/
- Scams Targeting Seniors
Criminals frequently target older adults using fear, authority, or emotional manipulation, which can sometimes drain life savings through repeated and escalating schemes.
https://www.gcsbank.com/news/fraud-friday-draining-seniors-life-savings/
- Charity Scams
Scammers exploit generosity during disasters, holidays, and crises by posing as legitimate charities. They often pressure victims to donate quickly before verifying where the money is going.
https://www.gcsbank.com/news/fraud-friday-charity-scams/
- Unpaid Toll Scams
Victims receive texts claiming unpaid tolls that link to fake payment sites designed to steal card or login information.
https://www.gcsbank.com/news/fraud-friday-unpaid-tolls/
- Storm Damage Repair Scams
After severe weather events, scammers pose as contractors offering quick repairs, often requesting upfront payment and disappearing before work is completed.
https://www.gcsbank.com/news/fraud-friday-storm-damage-repair-scams/
- Fake Friends on Social Media
Scammers hijack or mimic social media accounts, then message friends or family asking for money, gift cards, or urgent assistance.
https://www.gcsbank.com/news/fraud-friday-fake-friends-social-media-scams/
- Student Loan Scams
With ongoing changes to student loan programs, scammers pose as loan servicers offering forgiveness or relief — often in exchange for fees or personal information.
https://www.gcsbank.com/news/fraud-friday-student-loan-scams/
- AI Voice & Impersonation Scams
Advances in artificial intelligence have enabled scammers to clone voices of loved ones or authority figures, making fraud attempts more convincing than ever.
https://www.gcsbank.com/news/fraud-friday-ai-voice-scams/
- USPS & Delivery Text Scams
Messages claiming a package delivery issue attempt to lure recipients into clicking malicious links or providing sensitive information.
https://www.gcsbank.com/news/fraud-friday-usps-texts/
- Online Ticket Scams
Fake tickets, duplicate listings, or sellers who disappear after payment remain common, especially during high-demand events and festival seasons.
https://www.gcsbank.com/news/fraud-friday-online-ticket-scams/
Staying Safe in 2026 and Beyond
While individual scams may change, the warning signs often remain the same:
– Urgent or threatening language
– Pressure to act immediately
– Requests for personal information, verification codes, or money transfers
– Messages that do not feel right
If something seems suspicious, stop and verify. Contact GCSB using a phone number you trust or visit a branch before taking action.
Fraud prevention starts with awareness, and GCSB is committed to helping you stay informed and protected in 2026 and beyond.