Quick Tip: Top 10 scams to protect yourself from in 2026

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Here's a quick tip on some of the top scams to watch out for this year, according to the Better Business Bureau.

Number one is online shopping scams. Look out for fake websites and phony pop-up ads, often for pets or hard-to-find items. Scammers take your money, then disappear.

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Number two is phishing scams. Be aware of emails or texts that look like they're from your bank, merchants, or the government designed to rush you into clicking a link to give up personal information.

And number three is employment scams. Look out for fake work-from-home jobs and even fake interviews using AI. Scammers could ask for your personal information or money upfront.

To avoid most scams, take your time. Verify websites or companies on your own. Scammers rely on a sense of urgency.

Full list of top 10 BBB scams:

1. Online Purchase - (Ranked #1 for the sixth year in a row - most often fake websites - often pets)
2. Phishing Scams - (Clicking on scam links can lead to malware - Imposter scams)
3.Employment - (Scam job offers - often "work from home")
4. Counterfeit Products - (Clothing, electronics, shoes, purses, etc.)
5. Advance Fee Loans - (Online claims and temping offers can be a myriad of misinformation)
6. Identity Theft - (These scams have surged with advances in technology)
7. Credit Cards - (Phony offers, thefts, and scary texts saying your account has been hacked)
8. Debt Collections - (Scare tactics and threats, saying you owe money and they need payment immediately)
9. Government Agency Imposter - (Messages from scammers pretending to be IRS, Medicare, Social Security and other agencies demanding money or personal information)
10. Retail Business - (Growing impersonation of trusted retail brands such as Amazon, Apple, Walmart, and many others. Scammers use phony lookalike websites and offer special low prices and other lures designed to steal your money and personal information.)