Scam Alert: Virginia Residents Warned About Emerging “Smashing Scam”

In 2025, scams continue to evolve, creating serious challenges for consumers across the U.S., including Virginia. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports a sharp rise in financial losses due to increasingly sophisticated fraud tactics.

Among the newest threats is the so-called “smashing scam,” which has prompted warnings from Virginia authorities. This article explores today’s most common scams, the scale of financial losses, and key steps residents can take to protect themselves.

Understanding Today’s Scams

In 2024, Americans reported over $12.5 billion in losses due to fraud—a 25% increase from the previous year. The most financially damaging scams included:

Investment scams: $5.7 billion in losses.
Imposter scams: nearly $3 billion in losses, often targeting older adults.

Victims of imposter scams sometimes lose entire life savings, exceeding $10,000. Other common scams include online shopping fraud, business and job opportunity scams, and romance scams—the latter seeing a 75% increase in searches over the last five years. Losses vary: victims of romance scams typically lose around $2,000 across multiple payments, while investment scam victims average $1,100 each.

The Emerging “Smashing Scam”

Virginia authorities have recently warned residents about the “smashing scam.” These schemes involve criminals using aggressive tactics to gain access to homes, accounts, or personal information, often tricking victims into transferring money. While financial losses in Virginia are still being calculated, the frequency and sophistication of these scams are alarming.

The FTC notes that scammers are increasingly moving away from phone calls, relying instead on texts, emails, and other digital communications, making these scams harder to detect. Residents are urged to remain vigilant against unexpected messages demanding immediate action or personal information.

Financial Loss Trends in Virginia and Nationwide

Across the U.S., roughly 2.6 million fraud reports are filed each year, with monetary losses continuing to rise. In 2024:

Government imposter scams resulted in $789 million in losses.
Job and employment scams totaled nearly $500 million, tripling over the past five years.

Scammers commonly demand payment through wire transfers, e-wallets, and credit cards, with bank transfers being the most frequent. Virginia state police and consumer protection agencies actively track these scams and advise residents to report suspicious activity promptly and verify anyone claiming to represent a government or financial institution.

Protect Yourself: Essential Tips for Virginia Residents

As scams become more targeted and technologically advanced, vigilance is essential. Residents can protect themselves by:

Verifying contacts before sharing personal or financial information.
Being cautious with unsolicited emails, texts, or phone calls.
Avoiding wire transfers or payments to unfamiliar individuals or organizations.
Reporting suspicious activity to the FTC and local authorities immediately.

Staying informed and cautious can help prevent financial loss and keep residents safe from the growing threat of scams.