The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation is warning the public to stay alert for scammers impersonating government officials, law enforcement, or financial experts.
According to the 2025 Enforcement Report from the North American Securities Administrators Association, scams involving digital assets, social media, and impersonation are among the top threats this year with artificial intelligence making it easier for criminals to create convincing fakes.
Fraudsters can now clone voices, generate fake videos, and impersonate trusted individuals or organizations. This all results in tricking victims into sharing personal information, transferring money, or granting remote access to devices.
These scams are increasingly polished, personalized, and difficult to detect until after significant losses occur.
Even more concerning are reports of in-person scams. Reported cases describe so-called “gold traders” or “bankers” who contact victims online, build rapport, and later arrive in person to collect cash, gold, or gift cards under false pretenses.
TK Keen, an Oregon DFR administrator, says, “Always verify requests for money or personal information and never engage with suspected fraudsters. Even small interactions can have serious consequences. Some scammers retaliate by filing false police reports that bring law enforcement to victims’ doors.”
