What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams

Every year, fraudsters refine their tactics, making old scams feel new and catching even the vigilant off guard. During National Consumer Protection Week in March, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar to highlight the latest trends in consumer fraud. Their message was clear: while the goals of scammers remain the same—to steal your money or personal information—their methods are constantly evolving. Understanding these current patterns is your best first line of defense.

The FTC’s discussion focused on several prominent scam categories that are seeing renewed activity or sophisticated new twists. The common thread is the exploitation of trust, urgency, and our reliance on digital communication.

  • Impersonation Scams: This remains a top threat. Scammers falsely claim to be from a government agency like the Social Security Administration, the IRS, or even a local utility company. The FTC noted that they are also increasingly impersonating well-known businesses, tech support, or family members in distress. The contact often comes via a robocall, text, or email designed to create panic and pressure you into acting quickly.
  • Phishing and Smishing 2.0: Phishing (fraudulent emails) and smishing (fraudulent texts) are not new, but their execution is more polished. Scammers now use official-looking logos, spoofed sender addresses, and urgent language about a “suspended account” or “suspicious transaction” to trick you into clicking a link. That link may lead to a fake login page to harvest your credentials or may silently install malware on your device.
  • Tech Support Scams: These scams often start with a pop-up alert on your computer or a cold call claiming to be from “Microsoft” or “Apple.” The warning will look legitimate, stating your computer is infected. The goal is to gain remote access to your device, steal files, plant malware, or convince you to pay for unnecessary “repair” services.
  • Online Shopping and Fake Review Schemes: With more shopping done online, fraud related to fake websites, social media marketplace scams, and bogus reviews is significant. The FTC warns about sellers who advertise products that never arrive, are counterfeit, or are wildly different from the description. Scammers often fabricate positive reviews or hijack legitimate product listings to appear credible.

Why This Matters for Every Consumer

These trends matter because they are not hypothetical; they are active, daily attempts to separate people from their money and data. In 2023, the FTC reported that consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud, a figure that has been steadily climbing. The emotional and financial damage can be devastating.

The sophistication of these scams means the red flags can be subtler. A text message might appear to come from your bank’s legitimate short code. A phishing email may have only one character different in the sender’s address. The scammer on the phone may have detailed information about you already, purchased from a previous data breach, making their story more believable.

What You Can Do to Protect Yourself

Knowledge is your primary shield. Here are practical steps you can take based on the FTC’s guidance:

  1. Slow Down and Verify: Scammers rely on urgency. If you get a call, text, or email demanding immediate action or payment, pause. Hang up the phone. Do not click links. Instead, contact the organization directly using a verified phone number or website you know is real (e.g., from your bill or a credit card).
  2. Know How Official Agencies Communicate: The Social Security Administration, IRS, or FTC will never call, text, or email to demand immediate payment, especially via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. They typically initiate contact through official mail.
  3. Guard Your Personal Information: Be extremely cautious about who you share your Social Security number, bank account details, or one-time passcodes with. No legitimate company will ask for your password or a texted verification code.
  4. Secure Your Accounts: Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible. This makes it much harder for scammers to access your accounts even if they get your password.
  5. Check Before You Buy: Research online retailers before purchasing. Look beyond the reviews on the product page. Search the company name with terms like “scam” or “complaint.” Pay by credit card when possible, as this offers greater fraud protection.
  6. Report It: If you encounter a scam, report it. Your report helps the FTC and law enforcement investigate and build cases against fraudsters. You can file a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If you lost money, also report it to your local police department.

Staying safe requires a blend of healthy skepticism and proactive habits. Treat unexpected digital communication with caution, double-check facts before acting, and make use of the free resources provided by consumer protection agencies. By recognizing the patterns highlighted by the FTC, you can confidently navigate the digital world and avoid becoming another statistic.

Sources: Information on scam trends sourced from the FTC’s public webinar held during National Consumer Protection Week in March 2026. General consumer fraud data from the FTC’s 2023 Data Book.