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New Malwarebytes Research Shows Scammers are Tailoring Attacks to Specific Platforms, From Text Toll Scams to Social Media Romance Cons

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GOOGL Google is mentioned as the most impersonated brand by scammers, which is a negative association but not directly related to the company's performance or operations.

New Malwarebytes Research Shows Scammers are Tailoring Attacks to Specific Platforms, From Text Toll Scams to Social Media Romance Cons MrBeast is the most impersonated person, Google is the most impersonated brand, and noon ET on Fridays is the prime time for scam texts

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Malwarebytes, a global leader in real-time cyber protection, released new research showing how criminals are tailoring specific scam types to the platforms where they are most likely to succeed. Nine in ten toll scams, the fake unpaid-toll messages that threaten fines or license suspension, arrive by email or text, while roughly six in ten romance scams play out on social media.

The findings draw on global data from Malwarebytes threat research systems. Malwarebytes analyzed more than 20 distinct scam types, from tech support and refund scams to sextortion and scareware, and found that each one favors a specific delivery channel.

Read the full report

"Scammers are getting more deliberate about where and when they reach people," said Shahak Shalev, Global Head of Scam and AI Research, Malwarebytes. "Certain scams work better on certain platforms, at certain moments, and scammers repeat what works. Knowing where and when particular scams are most likely to appear can help people recognize them before they engage."

Key findings

How to spot and stop scams

Malwarebytes recommends the following steps to reduce risk:

Methodology

The data in this report comes from Malwarebytes proprietary threat research systems, collected between April 15 and July 14, 2026. All data is anonymized and reflects what Malwarebytes is able to observe through its own infrastructure.

To read more about the latest threats and cyber protection strategies, visit the Malwarebytes blog, or follow us on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Reddit, and X.

About Malwarebytes

Malwarebytes is reimagining security to safeguard devices, data, and people, no matter their location, lifestyle, or means. A global leader in online protection, its suite of award-winning cybersecurity, privacy, and identity solutions empower millions of people worldwide to enjoy their digital lives, free from threats and scams. Built and beloved by experts, Malwarebytes pairs a world-class team of threat researchers with proprietary AI-powered processes to supercharge and refine detections, providing unmatched protection against both known and unknown threats. Living up to its legacy, Malwarebytes continues to offer free tools that have long served as a first line of defense against malware and scams with new options for identity protection and data removal.

Malwarebytes, powerful digital protection that's always by your side.

Learn more: https://www.malwarebytes.com.

Malwarebytes Media Contact:

Ashley Stewart

Director of Public and Analyst Relations

[email protected]

SOURCE Malwarebytes