CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH - Scammers stole more than $5.2 million from Cuyahoga County residents in 2025, based on reports made to the County’s Department of Consumer Affairs.

“During National Consumer Protection Week, we want to remind everyone that we provide one-on-one assistance to County residents who report scams. Scam reports guide the work of our Scam Squad task force,” said Sheryl Harris, Director of the Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs.

Residents reported a new scam in 2025: Scammers posing as Cuyahoga County deputies called families of actual Corrections Center residents to seek payments for ankle monitors or early release programs. Residents are reminded that members of law enforcement will never contact residents for payments of any kind.

Last year, 1,355 residents reported scams to the Consumer Affairs Department, which staffs the Scam Squad reporting line (216-443-7226). Both reports and losses were up from the previous year.

The most-reported scam attempts in 2025 include:

• Government Imposters: Jury duty and arrest scams continued to be the single most-reported type of scams. Residents also reported a barrage of bogus state texts demanding money for turnpike tolls or unpaid traffic tickets.
• Company Imposters: Residents were lured into talking with scammers after receiving calls about discounts or unauthorized payments. Residents also reported scam pop-up alerts warning them about computer viruses.
• Robocalls: Residents complained about generic robocalls and other unwanted calls. Many reported being badgered by repeated calls over days or weeks.
• Imposter People: Romance scams, including celebrity impersonation scams, fall into this category. Scammers also struck up platonic friendships with residents through social media. Several residents suffered high losses after being drawn into online investment groups by social media friends. When they tried to withdraw their earnings, their money and “friends” disappeared.
• Prize scams: Sweepstakes and lottery scams – some using brand names like MegaMillions or the now bankrupt Publishers Clearing House - offered residents cars and cash – but only if they sent payments first. Winners never need to pay up front to collect prizes.

Simple ways to avoid scams:

• Let unknown calls go to voicemail.
• Delete texts – even innocent sounding ones – from numbers you don’t know.
• Remember that it’s easy for scammers who contact you by phone, text or online to hide their true identities.
• Fill out your Scam Squad Action Plan now so you have trusted contacts handy when you need to verify information.

Learn More
For a deeper dive into trending scams and how to protect yourself, listen to the latest episode of Ask Cuyahoga, featuring members of Scam Squad and partner agencies. Watch https://youtu.be/vDcIrOpz98Q or listen at https://www.cuyahogacounty.gov/podcast.

Visit cuyahogacounty.gov/scamsquad for more tips on spotting and avoiding scams.

Don’t have online access? Call Scam Squad at 216-443-7226.