Each year during National Consumer Protection Week (the first full week of March), the Federal Trade Commission releases new data on the fraud landscape. This year’s webinar zeroed in on the scams consumers are most likely to encounter right now—and how to spot them before it’s too late.

What happened

The FTC’s annual data shows that imposter scams—where someone pretends to be a government official, a loved one in distress, or a familiar company—remain the single most reported fraud category. These are often followed by online shopping scams, which have evolved significantly since the pandemic. Scammers now create convincing fake websites, social media storefronts, and even phony customer service numbers that appear at the top of search results.

Another trend that received attention during the webinar was the rise in scams targeting military families and veterans. While that specific topic was covered in a separate session, it reflects a broader shift: fraudsters are increasingly focusing on groups they perceive as vulnerable or busy, such as older adults, active-duty service members, and young people unfamiliar with common tactics.

Why it matters

The financial impact of these scams is real. According to FTC reports from recent years, consumers lost billions of dollars to fraud, with a growing share of losses from payment methods like gift cards, cryptocurrency, and payment apps. These methods are hard to reverse, making it critical to recognize the warning signs early.

Beyond the money, scams damage trust. A person who falls for an imposter call may become wary of legitimate government communications. Someone who loses money on a fake shopping site might avoid online shopping altogether. The goal of the FTC’s outreach is to help consumers develop skills—not fear—so they can navigate these risks confidently.

What readers can do

You don’t need to be a security expert to protect yourself. A few habits can go a long way:

  • Pause and verify. If someone calls claiming to be from the Social Security Administration, your bank, or a utility company, hang up and call the official number you have on file. Do not use the number the caller provides.
  • Watch for payment red flags. Legitimate businesses rarely demand payment by wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency. If a caller insists on one of these, it is almost certainly a scam.
  • Be skeptical of urgency. Scammers create pressure—they say your account will be closed, you’ll be arrested, or you’ll miss a limited-time deal. Slow down and verify before acting.
  • Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication on accounts that matter most: email, banking, and anything tied to payment.
  • Monitor your accounts regularly. Set up alerts for transactions above a small amount, and review your credit report for free at AnnualCreditReport.com.

Finally, if you encounter a scam or suspect one, report it. The FTC’s website ReportFraud.ftc.gov takes reports from anyone, and those reports help the agency track new schemes and take action.

Sources

  • FTC webinar and data during National Consumer Protection Week (March 2026), as covered by ACA International.
  • FTC consumer protection data and reporting guidelines available at ftc.gov/consumer.

For more on protecting yourself from specific scams—including those targeting military families—the FTC publishes plain-language guides on its website. Staying informed is the best defense.