NORFOLK, Va. — As holiday shopping ramps up, the Better Business Bureau is sounding the alarm: scammers are using more sophisticated, AI-powered tools than ever before, and shoppers are falling for them at record rates.

A new McAfee 2025 holiday fraud report shows that 1 in 5 Americans have already been targeted or scammed this season, with phishing emails, fake delivery notifications, and fraudulent online storefronts among the top threats.

BBB officials say they’re seeing the same trend locally, with more consumers reporting highly convincing scams that look identical to legitimate retailers.

“Scammers no longer look like scammers.”

Elizabeth Carter, Director of Accreditation Services for the Better Business Bureau Serving Hampton Roads, said consumers should assume that anythin

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