Investment and Cryptocurrency Scams Top BBB’s 2025 Risk Report

BBB Warns Investment Scams Pose the Greatest Financial Risk

By-Hank Stolz

Photo-submitted

Worcester, MA-Every year, the BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust analyzes reports submitted by consumers and businesses through BBB Scam Tracker to determine which scams pose the greatest risk.

The 2025 report examined more than 146,000 published scam reports. Lisa Swanson, CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Central New England, joined Radio Worcester to break down the findings.

The 2025 report looked at more than 146,000 published scam reports. Lisa Swanson, CEO BBB of Central NE, ran the scams down for us.

Investment and cryptocurrency scams remained *the number one riskiest scam. *Employment scams remained number two. Online purchase scams moved up to number three. Lisa told us, “The median reported loss for investment and cryptocurrency scams was $5,000. So, it’s important to distinguish that the scam you hear about most often isn’t necessarily the scam that poses the greatest financial risk.” She also said repeat victimization increased in 2025. “Nearly 15% of survey respondents who lost money reported losing money to scams at least three times.”