Oregon Regulators Warn of Rising Investment Scams This Holiday Season
State officials outline 12 common fraud tactics investors should watch for
SALEM, Ore. — As the holiday season approaches, Oregon financial regulators are urging residents to remain alert for increasingly sophisticated investment scams that often target consumers during times of heightened spending and generosity.
The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR), working alongside the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), has released a list of the top investor threats to watch for this year. The warning is based on data from NASAA’s 2025 Enforcement Report and its annual survey of state and provincial securities regulators.
According to the report, state securities regulators conducted more than 8,800 active investigations nationwide in 2024, resulting in over $259 million in fines and restitution. While scammers are increasingly using advanced technologies — including artificial intelligence — regulators say the underlying tactics remain unchanged.
“The rapid growth of technology and the rise of artificial intelligence gives scam artists new tools to steal your money,” said DFR Administrator TK Keen. “Fraudsters are pitching new investments that often have nothing to do with the latest tech developments and instead play on fear of missing out.”
Regulators say investors should be especially cautious of the following 12 fraud trends, which continue to show up in enforcement actions across the country:
Affinity or “pig butchering” schemes, which combine online relationships with fake investment platforms designed to drain victims’ funds over time.
Deepfake impersonations, where scammers use AI-generated videos or voice clones of celebrities, executives, or trusted contacts to solicit money or promote fraudulent products.
Phantom AI trading bots that promise guaranteed returns through secret algorithms that do not exist.
Digital asset and cryptocurrency fraud involving unregistered securities and vague claims of high returns.
Fake AI equity pitches that promote stock in companies claiming to develop breakthrough artificial intelligence technologies, often tied to “pump and dump” operations or fictitious businesses.
Social media investment lures, which accounted for nearly one-third of investigations opened in 2024 and frequently originate on platforms such as Facebook and X.
Short-form video hype on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels, where polished videos promote unrealistic “get rich quick” opportunities.
Text message and WhatsApp traps that begin with unsolicited or “wrong number” messages before shifting into investment pitches.
Scams targeting older investors, who were involved in more than 1,600 investigated cases in 2024 and are often approached with promissory note and equity schemes.
Account takeovers, where phishing and AI-assisted techniques are used to seize control of financial or social media accounts and solicit funds from contacts.
Website and app spoofing that uses professional-looking graphics to mimic legitimate financial institutions and steal login credentials.
Unregistered solicitors who present professional materials but lack proper licensing, accounting for hundreds of investigations nationwide last year.
DFR encourages Oregonians to verify investment opportunities, confirm licensing status, and pause before responding to unsolicited offers — especially those that pressure quick decisions or promise guaranteed returns.
The agency has published an Investor Guide to help consumers better understand how to evaluate investments and recognize warning signs of fraud. Anyone who believes they may have been targeted or victimized by a financial scam is encouraged to contact DFR’s consumer advocates at 1-888-877-4894 or by email at dfr.financialserviceshelp@dcbs.oregon.gov.
Cover image: stock photo, Flickr
