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DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) — Millions of dollars were lost to scams across the Triangle last year, according to a new report from the Better Business Bureau of Eastern Carolinas.

Alyssa Parker with the BBB said it received more than 2,600 scam reports in 2025, totaling $2,077,950.44 in losses across its 48-county service area. Data submitted through the BBB Scam Tracker helped identify the most common and most costly scams affecting consumers as we move through 2026.

Online purchase scams were the most frequently reported, accounting for more than 28% of all scams reported in 2025 to the BBB of Eastern Carolinas. Consumers reported losing more than $292,000 in online shopping scams alone.

“This is our biggest scam — what is going to continue to be our biggest scam. So it’s incredibly important to do that research,” Parker said.

The rise in online shopping scams is largely tied to social media advertising.

“A rise in online purchasing scams can be attributed to the fact that a lot of it is happening on social media,” said Parker. “So, a lot of what you see on social media may not look as good when it actually comes. And then also a lot of the ads just may be misleading or completely wrong.”

The BBB urges consumers to:

• Look up customer reviews and complaints before buying
• Check for secure websites (https:// and lock symbol)
• Carefully review return policies
• Pay with a credit card to dispute fraudulent charges

Phishing scams were the second most reported to the BBB of Eastern Carolinas, with 514 reports filed in 2025. Phishing scams resulted in more than $166,000 in reported losses last year.

“If you have questions and may think it’s legitimate, call your financial institution directly. The customer service number is on the back of your card,” Parker said. “That way, you can answer any questions they have or see if that was legitimate correspondence.”

BBB officials warn consumers to never click on unexpected links and to avoid messages that create a sense of urgency.

Employment scams were the third most-reported scam and resulted in $398,493.79 in losses.

These scams often involve:

• Fake job offers
• Requests for application fees
• Being sent a check and told to purchase equipment or transfer money

Experts say legitimate employers will never ask you to pay to apply or request that you move money on their behalf. The BBB recommends researching the company, confirming the position exists on its official website, and searching the company name along with the word “scam” before sharing personal information.

Rounding out the top five most reported scams were credit card scams with 113 reports and advance fee loan scams with just over 100 reports to the BBB of Eastern Carolinas. In advance fee loan scams, fraudsters claim you’re preapproved but ask for upfront payments through wire transfers or gift cards — a major red flag.

While online purchase scams were the most common, investment scams resulted in the highest dollar losses in 2025. Consumers reported losing $576,517.28, with a median loss of nearly $8,000 per incident.

Scammers often promise:

• High returns with little risk
• Exclusive opportunities
• Cryptocurrency payments

In many cases, victims are shown fake earnings statements. When they attempt to withdraw funds, they’re told they must pay additional fees and never recover their money.

The BBB says reporting scams through Scam Tracker not only helps potential victims avoid fraud but also helps law enforcement identify trends in the community. You can file a report here.

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