5 nefarious RAM scams you need to know about in 2026 — Bad actors are benefitting from the memory shortage, and I want to help honest buyers
A persistent RAM shortage continues to plague the market in 2026, driven by AI datacenters consuming the world’s DRAM supply faster than manufacturers can produce it. Industry experts warn the crisis could persist for years, as corporations purchase supplies in advance, leaving consumer-level buyers to face inflated prices.
The tight supply has created opportunities for bad actors to exploit unsuspecting buyers through scams and fraudulent sales. Windows Central has identified five major types of RAM scams currently targeting consumers, warning buyers to exercise caution when purchasing memory upgrades.