as in frauds
an instance of the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value
that's just a scam to bilk insurance companies for staged accidents
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Recent Examples of scams
This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.
—
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2025
The same week a deepfake Tim Cook scammed more than 200,000 people into viewing a malicious iPhone 17 launch stream, the FBI warns that scams targeting Americans are now out of control, highlighting deepfakes.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
According to data on identity theft reports from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), scams of all types have been on the rise this year.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
According to a five-pillar plan shared with CNBC, Cruz also aims to create federal standards for AI, prevent AI from being used in harmful ways such as scams, allow free speech and address ethical concerns.
—Emily Wilkins, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
In September 2025, Cecilie Fjellhøy teamed up with private investigator Brianne Joseph to uncover other romance scams in Netflix's Love Con Revenge.
—Kelsie Gibson, People.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Numerous high-profile accounts have been hijacked to promote crypto scams, including one of OpenAI's unofficial accounts in late 2024.
—PC Magazine, 7 Sep. 2025
Here’s a look at the cases featured in the new docuseries and tips for viewers on how to avoid falling for romance scams themselves.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
The scams are so prevalent that more than 150 utilities have united to fight them.
—Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2025
The same week a deepfake Tim Cook scammed more than 200,000 people into viewing a malicious iPhone 17 launch stream, the FBI warns that scams targeting Americans are now out of control, highlighting deepfakes.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
According to data on identity theft reports from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), scams of all types have been on the rise this year.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
According to a five-pillar plan shared with CNBC, Cruz also aims to create federal standards for AI, prevent AI from being used in harmful ways such as scams, allow free speech and address ethical concerns.
—Emily Wilkins, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
In September 2025, Cecilie Fjellhøy teamed up with private investigator Brianne Joseph to uncover other romance scams in Netflix's Love Con Revenge.
—Kelsie Gibson, People.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Numerous high-profile accounts have been hijacked to promote crypto scams, including one of OpenAI's unofficial accounts in late 2024.
—PC Magazine, 7 Sep. 2025
Here’s a look at the cases featured in the new docuseries and tips for viewers on how to avoid falling for romance scams themselves.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
The scams are so prevalent that more than 150 utilities have united to fight them.
—Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scams
Noun
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Certain frauds included requests to share bank details or to pay upfront costs associated with onboarding, such as certification or background check fees.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
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Attackers also use email to launch ransomware attacks, deliver malware and pursue frauds such as spoof executive requests.—
David Prosser,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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These hoaxes tax the resources of police departments and put an unquantifiable mental strain on the victims, ratcheting up the importance of putting a stop to them.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN Money,
1 Sep. 2025
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The bureau warned that these hoaxes not only waste law enforcement time and resources but also endanger lives.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scams.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scams. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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