How to Spot and Stop the Newest Scams: Advice from the FTC

In early March, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission hosted a public webinar to spotlight the scam tactics that are fooling people right now. The discussion served as a crucial reminder that while the core goals of fraud—stealing money and personal information—remain constant, the methods are continually evolving. Staying a step ahead requires knowing what to look for.

Here’s what you need to know about the latest threats and, more importantly, how to defend against them.

The Scams You’re Most Likely to Face

The FTC’s presentation highlighted several prevalent schemes that have become increasingly sophisticated. Being able to name them is the first step to stopping them.

  1. Phishing with a Personal Touch: Gone are the days of obvious, mass-emailed “Nigerian prince” scams. Today’s phishing is highly targeted, often using personal details gleaned from data breaches or social media to make messages appear legitimate. You might get a text about a suspicious charge on an account you actually hold, or an email that convincingly mimics a real company’s communications.

  2. Impersonation Scams: This broad category includes criminals posing as trusted figures. This could be a government agent (like the FTC or IRS) threatening legal action, a family member in a fabricated emergency, a tech support “specialist” claiming your computer is infected, or a romantic interest building a relationship only to ask for money.

  3. Investment and Cryptocurrency “Opportunities”: Scammers are exploiting interest in new financial technologies. They promise huge, guaranteed returns on cryptocurrency investments, fake initial coin offerings (ICOs), or so-called “rug pulls” where developers abandon a project and run off with investors’ funds. These often start on social media or messaging apps.

  4. Fake Online Listings and Shopping Scams: These range from sham websites selling products that never arrive to fraudulent listings on legitimate marketplaces for rental properties, event tickets, or high-demand goods. Payment is often demanded via irreversible methods like wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.

These aren’t hypothetical threats. The FTC consistently reports billions of dollars in losses to these schemes annually. Scammers are adept at exploiting current events, economic anxiety, and new technologies. Their tactics are designed to create a sense of urgency, fear, or excitement that bypasses your logical judgment. The shift toward using personal data and impersonating trusted sources makes these scams far more convincing than they were just a few years ago.

What You Can Do to Protect Yourself

Knowledge is your primary defense. Here are concrete steps you can take, informed by the FTC’s guidance:

For Prevention:

  • Slow Down and Verify. Urgency is a scammer’s best weapon. If you’re pressured to act immediately, it’s a major red flag. Hang up, close the email, or log out of the chat. Contact the supposed company or person using a phone number or website you know is genuine—not the contact information provided in the suspicious message.
  • Know How Official Agencies Communicate. The FTC, IRS, or Social Security Administration will not call, text, or email you out of the blue demanding money or personal information, especially with threats of arrest. They typically initiate contact through official mail.
  • Secure Your Communications. Use multi-factor authentication on all important accounts (email, bank, social media). Be cautious about what you share publicly on social media, as scammers use those details for impersonation.
  • Research Before You Buy or Invest. Search the company name plus “review,” “complaint,” or “scam.” Check domain registration dates for online stores—a very recent registration is a warning sign. Be profoundly skeptical of “can’t miss” investment opportunities, especially those involving cryptocurrency.

If You Encounter or Fall Victim to a Scam:

  1. Stop All Contact. Cease communication with the scammer immediately.
  2. Notify Your Financial Institutions. If you shared account details or made a payment, contact your bank, credit card company, or payment app right away. You may be able to stop a transaction or dispute a charge.
  3. Report It. File a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. This helps law enforcement track trends and build cases. Also report impersonation of specific companies to those companies.
  4. Secure Your Identity. If you shared sensitive personal information (like your Social Security number), visit IdentityTheft.gov for a personalized recovery plan. Consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports.

The Bottom Line

Scams succeed because they look and feel real. By understanding the current landscape—the personalized phishing, the convincing impersonations, the too-good-to-be-true investments—you can build a critical habit of pausing and verifying. Treat unexpected requests for money or information with healthy suspicion.

The FTC’s webinar underscores that consumer protection is an ongoing effort. Make it a practice to stay informed through reliable sources like the FTC’s consumer advice site. Your awareness is the most effective tool you have.

Sources & Further Reading:

  • The FTC’s March 2026 webinar during National Consumer Protection Week.
  • Consumer advisories and reporting tools available at FTC.gov.
  • Reporting by industry groups like ACA International on the webinar’s key takeaways.