As scams become more sophisticated in 2025, distinguishing between legitimate companies and fraudulent operations has never been more important. Fraudsters are leveraging advanced technologies to impersonate credible businesses, deceiving individuals and organisations into sharing personal information or making unauthorised payments. Statista reports that over 1 million unique phishing sites were identified globally in Q1 2025 alone.
Phishing is just one of many concerns. A 2024 investigation uncovered over 200 UK companies involved in fraudulent cryptocurrency and foreign exchange schemes, with many linked to pig-butchering scams. These alarming figures highlight the critical need for robust due diligence, benefiting both businesses and consumers alike.
Our Suggested Read On Cryptocurrency Scams – 10 Crypto Scams in 2025: What UK Users Need to Know
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) continues to warn about impersonation scams, where fraudsters mimic trusted organisations to deceive victims. Losses from these scams reached $3 billion in 2024. Scammers use phishing techniques—such as emails, texts, or fake websites—to redirect victims and steal sensitive data like banking details and passwords.
Additionally, creating clone websites has become easier than ever. These fake platforms can look nearly identical to legitimate ones, making it increasingly challenging for consumers and businesses to distinguish between real companies and fraudulent entities.
According to the latest Better Business Bureau (BBB) report, the top 10 most impersonated organisations in 2025 are:
Scammers often mimic these trusted brands to exploit user trust and steal personal information or payments.
Government Impersonation Scams
Scammers also target government agencies, leveraging fear and urgency to extract payments. The FTC revealed that $800 million was lost to these scams in 2024, marking a sharp rise from previous years.
Steps to Verify a Business in 2025
Melissa’s cutting-edge Know Your Business (KYB) and electronic ID verification tools make verifying businesses easier and more reliable than ever. Here’s how:
Melissa’s flexible solutions allow businesses to select the required verification levels, ensuring tailored compliance. Automated processes reduce manual effort, preventing errors and enhancing operational efficiency.
As scams evolve in 2025, verifying company legitimacy is more critical than ever. By leveraging Melissa’s comprehensive KYB and electronic identity verification solutions, businesses and consumers can safeguard against fraud, streamline compliance, and build secure partnerships in an increasingly complex digital economy.
Learn more about Melissa’s KYB Verification in our new guide Know Your Business: Extend KYC Strategies to Business Relationships.