In the time it takes to scroll through your morning news, someone, somewhere has just become a victim of cybercrime. The threat is no longer hypothetical. It's personal, pervasive, and persistent—and it's happening to everyday people across all walks of life.
Cybercrime is no longer about lone hackers trying to breach major corporations. It’s often about highly sophisticated networks preying on individuals, families, and vulnerable populations. From phishing scams and fraudulent travel deals, to online bullying and ransomware attacks, today's digital threats are targeting people where they live—online.
The New Age of Online Scams
Let’s start with one of the most rampant forms of cybercrime: online fraud and scams.
According to Bankrate, 68% of Americans have experienced a financial scam, and nearly 49% were scammed more than once over the past two years.¹ These scams are often delivered through email, text, social media ads, or fraudulent websites—deceiving victims into providing personal information or making payments under false pretenses.
In 2024 alone, Americans lost $22 billion to scams, according to Javelin’s 2025 Identity Fraud Study.⁴ While the average loss per scam was $2,000, some victims lost up to $40,000, making the impact not just significant—but potentially life-altering. The same study found that 46% of scam victims were unable to get reimbursed for their losses.⁵
Most common tactics include:
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Phishing emails posing as trusted institutions
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Fake customer support calls
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Social media ads promoting fraudulent offers
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Spoofed travel and job websites
Online fraud doesn’t just damage your finances—it can impact your trust, mental well-being, and even your relationships.
What Can Happen in Real Life
Romance Scam Losses Surpass $800 Million
In 2024, Americans reported losing over $823 million to romance scams, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). These scams often begin on dating apps or social media platforms, where fraudsters build emotional connections with victims before requesting money under false pretenses.
Youth Soccer Coach Loses Life Savings to Bank Impersonation Scam
Robby Jacobs, a 26-year-old youth soccer coach from Arizona, was deceived by scammers posing as bank representatives. They convinced him that his funds were at risk and instructed him to transfer his money to a "safe" account, resulting in the loss of his entire savings of more than $30,000.
AI Voice Cloning Targets Grandparents
In Long Island, New York, scammers used advanced AI technology to mimic the voice of a woman's granddaughter, claiming she was in danger and needed money urgently. The realistic voice convinced the grandmother to send thousands of dollars before realizing it was a scam.
Elderly Man Scammed Out of $45,000 Through Online Dating
Brian Ketcham, an octogenarian from New York, lost at least $45,000 to online romance scams. He believed he was communicating with multiple women on a dating site, spending thousands on chat credits and gifts, despite never meeting any of them in person.
These examples underscore the evolving tactics scammers employ, often leveraging technology and social engineering to exploit trust and urgency.
The Silent Crisis: Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is another digital threat gaining dangerous momentum. According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, children ages 8–12 spend 4–6 hours a day online, and teens even more—making them especially vulnerable.⁷
Pew Research shows that nearly 50% of U.S. teens report being bullied or harassed online. From social media shaming to group chats turned hostile, the emotional toll can be devastating—and often invisible.
A 2023 study by Cyberbullying.org found that 26.5% of students experienced cyberbullying in the 30 days prior to being surveyed. Even more concerning, the National Institutes of Health report that cyberbullying is strongly linked to suicidal thoughts and attempts in adolescents.
Common platforms where cyberbullying thrives include:
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YouTubeTM
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TikTok
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Snapchat
Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying can follow victims home. It can be around the clock, and often anonymous. The impacts can include - long-term anxiety, depression, academic decline, and social withdrawal.
Cyber Extortion: When Hackers Hold Your Life Hostage
Ransomware used to be an enterprise threat. Now, it’s personal.
Cyber extortion—where criminals lock you out of your devices or threaten to leak personal information unless a ransom is paid—is on the rise. Victims are often individuals with no technical background, tricked into granting access to their devices or clicking malicious links.
According to the 2024 FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Report, reported cyber extortion losses reached an astonishing $91.9 million in 2024; and reported losses of $1.57 billion from cyber threats.⁸ With the average ransom demand ranging between $500 to $5,000, and little chance of retrieving files post-payment, many feel they have no choice but to comply.
Cyber extortion often starts with:
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Fake tech support pop-ups
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Phishing emails with ransomware attachments
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Phone calls claiming your device is infected
The psychological impact is heavy. Victims report panic, shame, and fear—especially when family photos or sensitive financial data is at stake.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
According to Fortune, Americans now spend more than 7 hours per day online—and that includes children, teens, and seniors.⁶ With every click, download, and tap, our digital lives become more connected—and often more vulnerable.
Yet despite the growing risk, many consumers don’t have the resources or knowledge to respond effectively to these crimes. And the financial fallout can be devastating.
Cybercrime is no longer just a technical problem—it’s a human problem. It can affect your health, finances, family, and peace of mind. Which is why digital safety is now as essential as home insurance, healthcare, or retirement planning.
A Smarter Safety Net
While education and caution are critical, prevention alone is no longer enough. Consumers need a safety net that goes beyond alerts and monitoring.
That’s why solutions like ID Watchdog’s Cyber Crime Coverage are now emerging as key tools for families and individuals. This type of protection can help offer real financial reimbursement for losses due to scams, cyber extortion, and cyberbullying—delivering not just support, but reimbursement to help with recovery.
Unlike standalone cyber insurance or reactive tools, Cyber Crime Coverage is built into ID Watchdog’s identity protection plans9 at no extra cost, providing a more proactive layer of defense for today’s digital lifestyle.
Tips for You and Your Family
To help better protect yourself and your loved ones from the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats, consider the following precautions:
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Verify Communications: Be skeptical of unsolicited messages or calls requesting personal information or money. Always verify the identity of the requester through independent means.
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Implement Stronger Security Measures: Use complex, unique passwords for different accounts and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible.
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Educate Yourself and Others: Stay informed about common scams and share this knowledge with friends and family, especially the elderly who are often targeted.
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Monitor Financial Accounts Regularly: Keep an eye on bank statements and credit reports to help detect unauthorized transactions earlier.
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Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect you've been targeted by a scam, report it to the appropriate authorities, such as the FTC or local law enforcement.
The Time to Act is Now
Cybercrime isn’t slowing down. It’s evolving. And as it targets more individuals and families, the question is no longer if you’ll be targeted—it’s when.
It’s time we stop treating cyber safety as optional and start treating it as essential. Whether it’s equipping your family with better digital literacy, implementing stricter security habits, or securing tools that potentially offer reimbursement and recovery—taking action now could help reduce and possibly save you from far greater loss later.
Sources:
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Bankrate.com, March 2025
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Javelin & BioCatch, “Emotional Undercurrent of Financial Scams,” Aug 2024
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WTW, “2024 U.S. Wellbeing Diagnostic Survey,” Aug 2024
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Javelin Identity Fraud Study, March 2025
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PYMNTS Intelligence, Oct 2024
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Fortune, March 2024
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AACAP, May 2024
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FBI IC3 Report, April 2025
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Dependent on plan