The New Scams to Watch For, According to the FTC’s Latest Update

Staying ahead of scammers is a constant challenge. Just as we learn to recognize one scheme, another evolves to take its place. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provided a timely update on this shifting landscape. During a webinar for National Consumer Protection Week in March 2026, the agency highlighted the latest fraud trends exploiting current events and persistent human vulnerabilities.

For everyday consumers, this isn’t just bureaucratic news—it’s a playbook of the tactics being used right now to separate people from their money and personal information. Understanding these methods is the first and most critical step in building an effective defense.

What the FTC Emphasized

The FTC’s webinar served as a central alert system, distilling reports from millions of consumers into key patterns. The agency consistently notes that while technology changes, the core psychological hooks of fraud—urgency, fear, authority, and too-good-to-be-true opportunities—remain constant. The current trends, however, show how these hooks are being applied in new contexts.

A significant focus was on scams targeting specific, often trusted, communities. For instance, a related FTC webinar detailed the rise in financial scams targeting military service members and veterans, a group frequently singled out due to their stable pay and strong sense of camaraderie that fraudsters seek to exploit.

Why This Update Matters Now

These trends matter because they reflect what is actively working for criminals. Scammers are agile, pivoting to exploit new payment methods, global events, and popular online behaviors. The FTC’s identification of these patterns means they are seeing a measurable increase in reports and financial losses tied to these specific methods.

Ignoring these updates is like ignoring weather warnings before a storm; you might be fine, but you’re opting out of information designed to protect you. The financial and emotional toll of falling victim can be devastating, and prevention is vastly more effective than trying to recover losses after the fact.

Practical Steps You Can Take

Knowledge is only powerful when applied. Here are concrete actions you can take to guard against the trends highlighted by the FTC and other consumer protection agencies:

  1. For Impersonation Scams (FTC, Tech Support, Family Emergencies):

    • Verify Independently: If someone calls, texts, or emails claiming to be from a government agency, a company, or a family member in distress, hang up or close the message. Find the official contact information from a bill, a bank statement, or the organization’s legitimate website and contact them directly to verify the story.
    • Know How Agencies Contact You: The FTC or IRS will never demand immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. They will not threaten you with arrest over the phone.

  2. For Investment and Cryptocurrency Scams:

    • Research is Non-Negotiable: Before any investment, check the registration of the company and the individual with the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) or your state regulator. A promise of guaranteed high returns with no risk is a universal red flag.
    • Be Wary of “Exclusive” Opportunities: Scammers often use social media, dating apps, or even “wrong number” texts to initiate contact and build false trust before pitching a fraudulent crypto trading platform or investment.

  3. For Targeted Community Scams (e.g., Military, Senior-Specific):

    • Share Information Within Your Community: Awareness is a powerful shield. Veterans groups, senior centers, and other community organizations should circulate official FTC alerts (ftc.gov/news-events) about scams targeting them.
    • Question “Special” Deals: Be skeptical of offers that seem tailored to your status—whether as a service member, retiree, or student—that require upfront fees or sensitive personal information.

  4. General Digital Hygiene:

    • Use Strong, Unique Passwords & Enable 2FA: A password manager can help. Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds a critical extra layer of security beyond just a password.
    • Monitor Your Accounts and Credit: Regularly review bank and credit card statements. Consider placing a free credit freeze on your accounts with the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) to prevent new account fraud.
    • Report Attempts: If you encounter a scam, even if you didn’t lose money, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps investigators spot trends and build cases against fraudsters.

Staying safe requires a blend of healthy skepticism and proactive habits. Treat unexpected contacts requesting money or information as guilty until proven innocent through your own independent verification. By incorporating these practices, you take control of your digital safety and make it much harder for the latest scam trends to succeed.

Sources:

  • FTC Webinar Highlights Latest Scam Trends During National Consumer Protection Week - ACA International. Published March 5, 2026.
  • FTC Webinar Highlights Responding to Military Financial Scams - ACA International. Published March 17, 2026.
  • Federal Trade Commission Consumer Alerts and Guidance (ftc.gov).