Scam Alerts — California 2025-2026
California has the highest total number of fraud complaints of any state per FTC Consumer Sentinel data. Silicon Valley and tech-savvy populations are primary targets for BEC (Business Email Compromise) and investment fraud. Los Angeles and San Diego see high rates of delivery phishing, rental scams, and job offer fraud.
Why California is targeted by scammers
California's large tech workforce is particularly targeted by spear phishing and BEC fraud. The FBI IC3 2024 report shows California as the #1 state by total losses to internet crime. Investment fraud (pig butchering) is heavily concentrated in California, particularly targeting recent immigrants in Silicon Valley and the LA tech corridor.
Active scams targeting California
All entries documented by FTC, FBI IC3, or TIGTA. National scams included as all states are targeted.
Cryptocurrency Investment Fraud (Pig Butchering)
PATTERN · crypto-investment
Business Email Compromise (BEC) Scam
PATTERN · bec-fraud
Gold Bar / Cash Courier Scam
PATTERN · government-impersonation
Cryptocurrency ATM Fraud
PATTERN · crypto-investment
Area Code 876 Scam Calls
AREA-CODE · lottery-impersonation
Area Code 202 Scam Calls
AREA-CODE · irs-impersonation
Country Code 232 Scam Calls (Sierra Leone)
AREA-CODE · one-ring-scam
Grandparent Scam (Family Emergency Scam)
PATTERN · ai-voice-clone
Romance Scam
PATTERN · romance-scam
Tech Support Scam
PATTERN · tech-support
Extortion and Sextortion Scam
PATTERN · extortion
(833) 883-2828
NUMBER · government-impersonation
Scam emails active in California
"New Client Inquiry" Spear Phishing Email (Tax Professionals)
New client inquiry — tax return assistance needed
Senior U.S. Official Impersonation Email/Text Scam
Message from [Senior Official Name] — urgent matter
"Alert: Social Security Account Issues Detected" Scam Email
Alert: Social Security Account Issues Detected
"Tax Refund Payment" Email Scam
Tax Refund Payment
"Action Required: Verify Your IRS Account" Email Scam
Action Required: Verify your IRS account
"Your Account Has Been Temporarily Suspended" Bank Email Scam
Your account has been temporarily suspended
Fake City Permit Fee Email Scam
Action required: outstanding fee for permit application #[number]
"Claim Benefits!" SSA Phishing Email
Claim Benefits!
Active scam domains targeting California
Phishing and fraud domains active nationally — all states including California are targeted.
Where to report a scam in California
People also search for
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common scams in California?▼
California has the highest total number of fraud complaints of any state per FTC Consumer Sentinel data. Silicon Valley and tech-savvy populations are primary targets for BEC (Business Email Compromise) and investment fraud. Los Angeles and San Diego see high rates of delivery phishing, rental scams, and job offer fraud.
Why is California targeted by scammers?▼
California's large tech workforce is particularly targeted by spear phishing and BEC fraud. The FBI IC3 2024 report shows California as the #1 state by total losses to internet crime. Investment fraud (pig butchering) is heavily concentrated in California, particularly targeting recent immigrants in Silicon Valley and the LA tech corridor.
Where do I report a scam in California?▼
Report to the California Attorney General, FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov, and FBI IC3 at ic3.gov. If money was sent to a scammer, contact your bank immediately — the FBI Financial Fraud Kill Chain can sometimes recover funds.
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