Daily Encounter Rate of Mobile Scams Reaches 44%, According to Malwarebytes Research

The ownership of smartphones has increasingly become a source of concern. The prevalence of malicious text messages disguised as package delivery notifications, phishing emails that mimic reputable brands, and unsolicited calls concealing threats such as extortion, virtual kidnapping, or AI-generated scams has contributed to an alarming environment. Compounding this issue, legitimate companies are adopting outreach methods reminiscent of traditional scams—encouraging users to scan QR codes, download mobile applications, and converse with unknown individuals through direct messages.

This growing deluge of scams not only disrupts daily life but also inflicts significant emotional and financial damage on individuals. Recent research by Malwarebytes indicates that 44% of users encounter mobile scams daily, with 78% experiencing them at least once a week. Victims often face dire repercussions, including harassment, identity exposure, and irreversible financial loss. Notably, 25% of scam victims reported experiences of harassment or blackmail, 19% had their private information exposed, and 15% suffered permanent financial losses.

“I felt like I was in a horror movie. I never thought it would happen to me like this.”

These insights derive from original research aimed at assessing the prevalence, frequency, and consequences of mobile scams across various nations. By surveying 1,300 adults in the United States, the United Kingdom, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, Malwarebytes has uncovered a troubling reality: a high level of anxiety about scams juxtaposed with a low level of proactive measures taken by users.

The report titled “Tap, swipe, scam: How everyday mobile habits carry real risk” elaborates on the findings, including the following key statistics:

• 77% of respondents express concern regarding mobile scams, primarily fearing financial losses (73%), account or device lockouts (70%), and identity theft (68%).
• 66% of individuals worry about the potential for AI to create increasingly sophisticated scams.
• Merely 15% of people feel confident in their ability to recognize scams on their mobile devices.
• 74% have encountered social engineering scams, with 36% admitting to having fallen victim to such schemes.
• 37% have faced extortion scams, with 17% falling prey, including 7% affected by sextortion specifically.
• 10% of families have established a “safe word” designed to mitigate risks associated with kidnapping and extortion attempts.
• Financial impacts have been severe for 52% of scam victims, with 18% reporting they needed to freeze their credit, 15% experiencing permanent financial losses, and 8% having fraudulent accounts opened in their names.
• Only 20% of individuals employ standard security measures, such as antivirus software, VPNs, or identity theft protection.
• 25% of respondents are unconcerned about scams, believing they are beyond their control.

This is the mobile landscape that individuals currently navigate, and it poses potential hazards for future generations. To effectively counteract the escalating threats posed by scammers, it is imperative for both individuals and organizations to adopt comprehensive cybersecurity practices. Using unique passwords and implementing multifactor authentication (MFA) are among the measures that can significantly impede scammers’ efforts.

In this ever-evolving threat landscape, assistance is available through tools developed by Malwarebytes. Our newly launched, AI-powered digital safety companion, Scam Guard, allows users to analyze potentially suspicious texts, emails, phone numbers, links, images, or online messages, providing immediate guidance on how to avert and report scams. This tool is designed to alleviate online fears and enhance user safety.

Scam Guard is accessible to both free and premium users of Malwarebytes Mobile Security (available on iOS and Android) without necessitating the installation of an additional application.