Built from decades of threat intelligence research, the new resource explains scams from the victims’ perspective and tracks emerging forms of cyber crime
There are more than 50 distinct ways to scam someone online, and F-Secure’s Threat Intelligence team catalogued them all in its new Scam Encyclopedia, one of the most comprehensive guides to scams and fraud available. Built from decades of research, the continuously updated, living guide covers both established scams and new methods most people haven’t heard of yet.
Unlike similar resources available online, the Scam Encyclopedia emphasizes a different point of view: every scam is explained from the victim’s perspective, covering what they see, what they’re told, what they’re asked to do, and where exactly the “scam” comes in. That structure makes it easier for readers to recognize the same pattern in their own lives, before they become a victim themselves.
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Today and tomorrow’s threats, mapped
Scammers rarely invent entirely new tricks. Most often, they apply their tried-and-true tactics to new technology, platforms, and scenarios. Unfortunately, that means the scams become incredibly optimized and efficient: 52% of scam victims now lose money – more than double the rate of just one year ago.
The Scam Encyclopedia tracks this evolution. The entries cover a wide range of scams, including five different cryptocurrency scams, dozens of social media and shopping scams, as well as new ways consumers are being victimized.
“Scammers don’t invent a new method every time they want to steal from someone,” said Megan Squire, Principal Threat Intelligence Researcher at F-Secure. “They take familiar tactics and apply them to whatever people are currently using, whether that’s d***** apps, texting, social media, or even AI tools. We made the Scam Encyclopedia so that the patterns are easier for people to see, because when you understand what a scammer is trying to do, you’ll be able to tell when something isn’t right.”
The scam playbooks are constantly changing, and F-Secure’s Scam Encyclopedia is specifically designed to evolve with them. F-Secure’s Threat Intelligence team will continue adding and updating entries as they identify new methods and tactics being used to target consumers.
Human-centered research for the AI age
Today’s digital threats go far beyond just scams. F-Secure’s Illuminate Research team studies people and technology as they actually interact, exploring the messy realities of trust, deception, and online resilience in the AI era.
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