EAST LANSING, Mich. – As March is National Criminal Justice Month, it serves as a reminder of increased awareness about preventing and responding to crime. No matter what time of year, it is important for people to have strategies that help them not fall victim to crimes.
Last year, cybercrime cost the world almost $10 trillion, and that number is expected to rise in 2025. Many scammers are targeting everyday people, who with the click of a button, could lose important privacy information and financial savings.
Experts from Michigan State University’s School of Criminal Justice at the College of Social Science are available to comment on the various forms of commonplace scams and how you can stay protected, including package delay scams, romance fraud, tax return scams and sextortion abuses.
Package delay scams
Rachel McNealey is an assistant professor in the School of Criminal Justice. She is also a center associate with the MSU Center for Cybercrime Investigation and Training. She can comment on “smishing,” fake mobile text messages that trick users into downloading malware and sharing personal and financial information, and how to avoid falling victim.
Contact: mcnealey@msu.edu
“For many, these texts are made all the more convincing by the fact that they pop up when one is, in fact, expecting a package. This happy coincidence (for the scammers) is a result of their widespread distribution strategy involving thousands of phone numbers. While some people receive a text when they are indeed awaiting a package, there are many others for whom the text is out of context and clearly a scam. However, this is part of the scammers’ strategy: The fact is, if you send thousands of people a text regarding an in-transit package, there is a good chance that at least a few of those people will actually have a package on the way. Of those individuals, some may be concerned by the new status update and follow the false instructions. The interconnected nature of sensitive information means that bad actors only need a few individuals to heed the text and enter their information to make for a lucrative day of scamming. From there, the collected information can be sold, used fraudulently, or used to obtain more of the individual’s information by attempting access to other accounts. There is also the payout from unsuspecting customers who pay the alleged processing fee.”
“The best way to protect against this type of scam is to be aware of how organizations like the U.S. Postal Service actually contact their customers. The U.S. Postal Service only sends text updates to those who have registered for the service using a tracking number and, most importantly, emphasize that they do not charge for these services and will never send a link. Additionally, the Postal Service urges that, if a customer is concerned about the status of a package, they should go directly to USPS.com and follow the tracking process on its official website.”Read more on MSUToday.
Romance fraud
Tom Holt is a professor in theSchool of Criminal Justice and he also serves as the director of the newly formedMSU Center for Cybercrime Investigation and Training. He can comment on a host of cybercrime issues, including romance fraud, which centers around the fraudster building a fake emotional relationship with their victim that they can leverage to get money from their victim over time.
Contact: holtt@msu.edu
“There are many strategies fraudsters use to draw in their victims. A common tactic is claiming they are in the military or work remote jobs that keep them from connecting in person. Some also present themselves as models or influencers — even going as far as using stolen images from other people’s social media feeds to present themselves as attractive potential partners to victims. These schemes generally begin on social media platforms, though a small proportion begin on apps like WhatsApp or over text.”
“Victims of romance fraud lose quite a lot of money, with the average victim in the United States losing approximately $4,400 in 2023 according to the Federal Trade Commission. When viewed in the aggregate, U.S. victims reported a total of $1.3 billion in losses in 2023, and the global loss figures suggest this is a multibillion-dollar form of crime. Tracking down the fraudsters is incredibly difficult as many of them request to be paid via cryptocurrency, but some seek wire transfers or gift cards.”
“Much of what is known about romance fraud tells us that many victims are typically between 50 and 60 years old. However, anyone can be a victim of romance fraud, as evident in the documentary “The Tinder Swindler,” in which the victims were all relatively young women. At the end of the day, it is important to talk to trusted loved ones and family. As you describe the relationship to them, pay attention to their reactions. If they think it is too good to be true, it may be.”
Tax return scams
Taylor Fisher is a post-doctoral research associate in the School of Criminal Justice. She can answer questions about an overview of tax return scams and how people can avoid falling victim to these fraudulent scams.
Contact: fishe516@msu.edu
“You may have seen quick money advertisements that tend to pop up around this time of the year. The ads suggest that, with the addition of a few key tax credits, you can earn a huge check with your tax return. This typically includes providing false information to the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, and for a large fee, these individuals will help you do it.”
“The IRS identifies three key red flags, including a big payday; demands or threats; and URLs or direct links that redirect to unofficial sites. These types of scams include quick money scams, false credits or misinformation, and ads suggesting special programs for seniors or new tax filers. These types of tax-related scams have evolved into such a wide range that the IRS identifies an annual “Dirty Dozen” tax scams listing.”
Tax season scams are common, and they aren’t going away. It’s important to take the time to think clearly about your tax filing plans. Some tips to avoid tax season scams include avoid waiting until the last minute to file, as scammers can utilize a tight deadline to create a sense of urgency, and ensure you have all your basic documents ready and seek assistance when necessary. If you believe you have been the victim of a tax-related scam, make sure to report it directly to all relevant parties. The IRS has shared resources for responding to a scam.”
Read more on MSUToday.
Sextortion offenses
Karen Holt is an assistant professor in the School of Criminal Justice. Her research focuses on sexual deviance and offending and the intersection of media and sexual violence. She can comment on sextortion, a term that combines the words “sexual” and “extortion” to refer to a form of online blackmail where someone threatens a victim by sharing nude or sexually explicit images unless they comply with demands.Contact: holtkar1@msu.edu
“Sextortion can happen through different approaches – online or offline grooming, fake profiles that scam and “catfish,” phishing emails, hacking or claims of hacking devices, the creating of fake images, or through someone trying to control the victim. It can occur between strangers, peers, and those in intimate relationships. It overlaps with crimes such as the sexual exploitation of minors, intimate partner abuse, sexual abuse, cyberbullying, cyberstalking and organized or transnational criminal organizations. Images may be sent consensually, or victims may be hacked and have images stolen. The use of AI is increasing in sextortion, and non-sexual images and videos may be edited to undress victims or depict them in sexual acts.
“Sextortion can result in significant harm and trauma for victims. The goal of sextortion perpetrators is to create a sense of imminent threat and terror. The most important thing to remember is not to comply with demands. While in a state of panic, fear, shame, or desperation, many think that compliance will resolve the matter. Perpetrators will typically ask for more if demands are met, and in many cases, images can be disseminated regardless of victim compliance. The important thing to remember is not to react, to disengage, stay calm, and know that, despite what the perpetrator says, you have control and there will be an “after” to what feels like an unbearable and terrifying experience. Most perpetrators will eventually move on to other victims and/or cease the threats if you do not comply. There is no reasoning with perpetrators, whether they are known to you or complete strangers on the other side of the world.
“If you or someone you know is the victim of sextortion, the best thing to do is to cease all contact immediately and report the crime to law enforcement. Collect and save all digital evidence. Block the perpetrator from all apps and if they are known to you, ask family and friends to do the same. In some cases, victims should change passwords and tighten online security measures. Some victims do not feel comfortable reporting to police. If that is the case, find a trusted person that you can talk to. There are also many online resources for those who are victims of this crime that provide excellent advice and services that can assist victims in taking down any images that are posted online or that can prevent images from being posted in the first place.”