Recent research from cybersecurity firm Malwarebytes indicates that scammers are becoming more strategic about when and how they contact potential victims. Analyzing global threat data collected between April 15 and July 14, 2026, the company tracked more than 20 scam categories.
Timing matters
For Americans, the volume of scam texts reached its highest point around 12 p.m. Eastern Time, a level roughly 874 % greater than the quietest hour at 1 a.m. ET. The data also show a clear weekly pattern: Friday saw about 50 % more fraudulent texts than the start of the week, while Sunday was the lowest‑traffic day.
Platform preferences differ by scam type
Malwarebytes found that scammers tailor their delivery method to the nature of the fraud. Job‑related scams most often arrive via email, romance scams favor social‑media platforms, and tech‑support scams typically begin with a phone call. Overall, the web remains the leading conduit for scams, followed by email and then SMS.
Common impersonations
The study identified the most frequently impersonated individuals and brands. YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson (known as MrBeast) appeared in about 30 % of impersonation scams, with Elon Musk and President Trump following. Among brands, Google, Microsoft, Apple, Roblox and Amazon were the top five targets, with Google mentioned at least twice as often as Amazon.
Gaming and financial risks
Gaming platforms such as Roblox, Steam, Discord and Minecraft also attracted scammers, with Roblox scams rising 15 % and Steam scams 19 % between mid‑June and mid‑July. Roughly half of the gaming‑related scams could result in losses of $1,000 or more, a serious concern for younger players.
How to protect yourself
Experts advise treating unsolicited messages with caution. Avoid clicking links or calling phone numbers found in unexpected texts, emails or social‑media messages. Instead, go directly to the official website or app of the purported sender, or use a known, trusted phone number to verify any claims before responding.
By slowing down and verifying communications, individuals can make themselves a far harder target for these increasingly organized fraud campaigns.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
