Cybercriminals continue to refine their tactics, often using "slants" on old methods that are harder to detect with the naked eye. As of early 2026, the FTC reports that AI-enhanced scams have increased the success rate of phishing by nearly 40% compared to previous years.

1. AI-Enhanced Phishing

Beyond simple emails, scammers now use Deepfake Audio or highly polished, AI-written messages that perfectly mimic the tone of a school administrator or bank official. They aim to steal login credentials, Social Security numbers, or biometric data.

2. "Virtual Assistant" & Tech Support Fraud

Scammers no longer just pretend to be from Microsoft or Apple; they may pose as "AI Optimization Services" or specialized tech support for student laptops. They claim your student’s device is "slowing down" or "compromised" and demand a subscription fee or remote access to "clean" the system.

3. Hyper-Personalized Social Media Scams

Using data scraped from public profiles, scammers create highly targeted "Malware Traps." This might look like a DM from a "classmate" (using a cloned profile) asking the student to vote for them in a contest or check out a "leaked" exam prep link.

4. Predatory Scholarship & Grant Scams

With the rising cost of tuition, fake financial aid offers are rampant. Be wary of any "Guaranteed Scholarship" that requires an upfront "processing fee" or asks for a student's digital wallet keys or bank passwords.

5. Social Commerce & "Ghost" Stores

Shopping has moved almost entirely to social media "boutiques." Scammers set up professional-looking storefronts with AI-generated product images. In 2025, it was estimated that 1 in 10 "too-good-to-be-true" social media ads led to fraudulent sites that ship nothing and disappear after payment.

Where to Report Cybercrime

If you or your student encounter a suspicious link or fall victim to a scam, reporting it helps protect the entire community. Use these official channels: