A letter. An email. A message promising money. Millions of Americans receive class action settlement notices every year. It sounds great until you start wondering, is this legit? And it’s a question you should definitely be asking because real class action settlements do exist, but so do scams designed to look like them.

If it seems like your phone is ringing more than ever with calls promising pre-approved loans or asking for personal information, you’re not alone.

Fraud is broad and is a growing problem across all of Northeast Florida, from romance scams to fake bank alerts. We got important advice from law enforcement to help you protect yourself.

There is a scam circulating right now in St. Johns County trying to trick people who think there is something wrong with their computer.

The latest numbers reveal that cyber criminals stole more than $16 billion last year, and nearly 6.5 million people reported fraud or identity theft, which is about one victim every five seconds.

April 15th is the deadline to file your taxes and thieves are preying on people who are filing at the last minute.

Whether it’s a child car seat, kitchen appliance, or lawn tool, recall notices warn you of a potential safety risk. Now there’s a new warning from Consumer Reports: scammers are trying to trick you with phony recall notices.

Over the last five years, at least one local law enforcement agency has seen an 80% increase in fraud cases, and some of those involve scammers preying on the lonely.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, service members, veterans, and their families reported losing an estimated $178 million to imposter scams last year alone. And experts say misinformation is surging --- driven by artificial intelligence -- as the U.S. conflict with Iran unfolds.

Beware of a barrage of text scams that are circulating right now in our area.

One of the fastest-growing and most devastating types of online schemes is the romance scam, where fraudsters pretend to fall in love, then ask for money.

Ghost Tapping is a scheme that allows scammers to charge debit and credit cards without physical contact.

A Jacksonville nonprofit leader says scammers used JEA’s phone number to try to pressure her into paying a bill she says she didn’t owe.

Every year begins with fresh starts and for many people, that means finding a new place to rent. That search often starts online: scrolling, clicking, and comparing what’s available. But Consumer Reports says it’s worth being cautious before moving forward, to help avoid losing money and exposing personal information on a rental that turns out not to be real.

The holiday season isn’t just about spreading cheer, scammers are spreading fear. The FTC reports consumers lost $12.5 billion to fraud last year, with more than 2.6 million reports filed. The top ways scammers strike? Email, phone calls, and text messages. A new Pew Research study finds 73 percent of Americans have experienced some form of online scam.

Scammers don’t take time off for the holidays. In fact, this time of year is prime season for fraud, especially as people shop, gift, and travel more than usual.

Free money from Zelle or Cash App—just for filling out a government form? That’s what some TikTok videos claim. But Consumer Reports has a warning: it’s not a windfall—it’s simply not true.

The St. Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller are warning residents of a jury duty scam, which is circulating right now via email and/or text message.

The start of a new school year means thinking ahead to college for many high schoolers. If you’re applying for scholarships, some of those deadlines are quickly approaching. Scholarship scams are on the rise. How to spot a scammer

According to the Federal Trade Commission, about 2% of U.S. identity theft reports in 2025 so far have involved children under age 19.

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office announced on Monday it was able to trace, seize and return stolen money to two local victims of cryptocurrency scams.

As the temperatures climb and those vacation plans really start heating up, there’s another kind of activity on the rise, and it’s not the good kind. We’re talking about scammers. According to a new report from Forbes, criminals raked in a staggering one-point-seven billion dollars last year.

More than a third of Americans are planning to take a vacation. As the prices of hotels and flights surge during this time, scammers are hoping to take advantage of travelers’ desperation for a cheap deal.

Scammers can now use powerful AI voice-cloning apps to steal voices or mimic someone you trust to pull off convincing scams.

A Jacksonville man is warning others about online investment scams after losing nearly $60,000 of his savings and pension.

Whether we’re checking out a hotel, rental home or buying something on Amazon, online reviews play a huge part in our decision. In fact, 95% of customers read online reviews before making a purchase. But some of them might not be real at all.

A Jacksonville woman is warning others after she was targeted by a convincing jury duty scam.

Fraudsters are sending out phishing messages claiming you have an unpaid toll. The messages are designed to trick drivers into clicking malicious links and sharing personal information.

Spam calls are not only annoying but also costly, with unsuspecting consumers losing billions of dollars to fraud every year. So how can you prevent it from happening to you or a loved one? Consumer Reports has some new advice to stop those annoying robocalls.

The holiday season is time for joy and generosity, but it’s also when scammers try to exploit unsuspecting victims. The Bunnell Police Department is urging residents to stay vigilant and protect themselves from becoming targets of fraud.

A scheme that scammed millions of dollars out of consumers burdened with student loan debt has been stopped in its tracks, the Federal Trade Commission says.

Giving Tuesday is a day dedicated to generosity, as people worldwide contribute to causes they care about. However, it’s also a prime opportunity for scammers to take advantage of charitable intentions.

Seventy-five percent of Americans fell victim to holiday scams last year, with online shopping and non-delivery scams accounting for a significant portion of the over $281 million lost, or should we say stolen.

Attorney General Moody released the 2024 Holiday Consumer Protection Guide for Floridians which contains information about scammers, shopping schemes, and cyber scams.

No real business or government agency will ever tell you to buy a gift card to pay them. Here’s how to spot and avoid gift card scams.

The federal government is once again offering free COVID test kits.

While there are some government-funded solar programs for households that qualify, “going solar” isn’t free.

People report getting calls in bursts of anywhere from five to even 20 a day, all from different numbers, all with the same story. But there never was a loan application.

As Helene is approaching, the Better Business Bureau is reminding Floridians to be on alert for scammers looking to cash in after the storm is over.

Whether you’ve been a victim or want to proactively protect your personal information, Consumer Reports explains what you can do now before the hackers strike.

The Florida Sheriff’s Association recently warned the public of a new online scam that threatens email users with releasing their search history if they don’t pay a large amount of money.

Missing jury duty can come with real consequences. You could face a fine, go to court, or even get arrested. Scammers take advantage of that to get your money or sensitive information. But their story is a lie.

A scam targeting college students is making the rounds, particularly preying on those starting new internships or on-campus jobs.

The Better Business Bureau is warning anyone who might need to rent supplies for a party to be careful.

Most people can probably agree that there are few things more frustrating than airline delays or cancellations that leave you stranded at the airport.

When it comes to student loan forgiveness, scammers are targeting Spanish speakers with false promises of debt relief help.

The Better Business Bureau is warning people about scams already making the rounds, so you don’t get played during the Olympic Games.

Did someone supposedly spot fraud or criminal activity on one of your accounts? Did they offer to help “protect” your money by moving it from your bank, investment, or retirement account? It's a scam, warned the FTC.

Just what does an appointment setter do? And how can you tell the difference between a legit job offer and a scam?

A new law in Florida is designed to protect older folks from the growing number of scams out there.

With college admissions and scholarships on the line, paying for tutors and test prep materials may be worth the price. But watch out for con artists eager to take advantage of this.

One shopper told BBB Scam Tracker, “I placed an order and received a confirmation and was charged $15.98. A few days later, I received an email saying due to low stock I was being refunded. I never received a refund, so I emailed, but the email continuously failed to deliver. I have disputed the charge with my bank.”

The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office is warning the community of a scam after a resident fell victim and ended up giving thousands of dollars to a person alleging to be a defense attorney.

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is warning the community about a new scam where families of inmates are being contacted by people pretending to be bail bondsmen.

The FBI is warning airline travelers who use USB ports to charge their phones that they could be opening themselves up to scammers.

Recent layoffs in industries like the tech sector have scammers fine-tuning their approaches to take advantage. They may advertise jobs online, sometimes setting up fake websites, or look for targets on social media — all to try to steal your money and personal information.

We’re hearing about many Medicare recipients who signed up for these free COVID tests and never got them.

An Orlando man who said he and his wife were recently targeted by phone scammers reached out to News4JAX sister site Click Orlando to inform others and help them avoid being swindled.

Have you gotten a suspicious email, phone call or text message offering you money to fill out a COVID-19 survey?

However, the Christmas season can allow thieves to window shop and find homes with big-ticket items they want. News4Jax crime and safety expert, Ken Jefferson, says little do homeowners know, thieves regularly scope-out houses and peep through windows looking for items they may want while no one is home. “People will look into your window and come break into your house when you’re not there.”It’s not just what is inside your house. “Or take it away from your home.”As always, enjoy your Christmas goodies, but continue smart, easy safety practices. Jefferson also reminds people not to leave valuables, including Christmas presents, inside cars for any period of time.

With the holiday season fast approaching, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is warning of holiday scams and launching new resources to help protect yourself and your family. It’s called Scams at a Glance: 'Tis the Season. The brochure provides resources and information on emerging frauds and schemes associated with the holidays and charitable donations. For a Spanish version of the Tis the Season edition, click here. Moody said knowing what to look for is the first step to keep yourself from becoming a victim.