Latest Scam Trends: FTC Webinar Highlights and What You Need to Know

Every year during National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission releases its most recent fraud data and holds a webinar to walk through the major trends. This year’s session, held in early March 2026, confirmed what many consumer advocates have been seeing: scammers are getting more sophisticated, and losses are climbing.

The FTC’s data shows that consumers reported losing more than $10 billion to fraud in 2025 – a record high. While reporting rates may have improved, the numbers also reflect that scammers are using tactics that are harder to spot. Here’s what the webinar covered and, more importantly, what you can do about it.

The FTC webinar highlighted three categories of fraud that are driving the majority of losses: imposter scams, online shopping and payment scams, and investment scams tied to cryptocurrency.

1. Imposter Scams – Still the Most Common

Imposter scams remain the most frequently reported fraud type. Callers pose as government officials (especially from the Social Security Administration or the IRS), tech support representatives, or a family member in trouble. The common thread: they create urgency and demand payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.

One example shared in the webinar involved scammers spoofing the phone number of a real local sheriff’s office. The caller claimed the victim had missed jury duty and needed to pay a fine immediately to avoid arrest. It sounds absurd, but the sense of urgency and authority works.

2. Online Shopping and Payment Scams – New Twists

With the rise of peer-to-peer payment apps and social media marketplaces, scammers have adapted. Common tactics include:

  • Fake listings on platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist for items that don’t exist (rental properties, popular electronics, concert tickets).
  • Payment app fraud where a buyer or seller claims a payment “didn’t go through” and sends a fake screenshot. The FTC notes that once you send money via these apps, it is very hard to get back.
  • Phantom delivery scams – you receive a text or email about a package delivery that requires a small fee or “verification” link. Clicking the link can lead to credential theft.

3. Investment and Cryptocurrency Scams – Big Money Losses

Crypto investment scams are not new, but the webinar emphasized that they now account for the largest individual dollar losses. Scammers lure victims through social media ads, dating apps, or WhatsApp groups with promises of high returns. They often direct victims to fake trading platforms that show fake profits. When victims try to withdraw, they are told they must pay taxes or fees first – which also go to the scammer.

The FTC warned that even people who consider themselves tech-savvy fall for these because the platforms look legitimate and the initial “profits” seem real.

Why It Matters

These trends are not just statistics. The financial and emotional toll on victims is severe. For small business owners, imposter scams can drain a bank account in minutes. For older adults, a fake tech support call can lead to identity theft that takes months to unravel. The $10 billion loss figure is likely an undercount, since many scams go unreported due to shame or confusion.

Understanding these patterns helps you recognize the setup before you lose money. The FTC’s data also shows that people who are aware of current scam tactics are far less likely to fall for them. That is the value of a webinar like this – it turns raw data into usable knowledge.

What Readers Can Do

The FTC webinar offered several concrete steps that apply across all these scams. Here are the most practical ones:

  • Stop and verify. If someone calls claiming to be from a government agency or a company, hang up and call the official number yourself. Do not trust the number displayed on caller ID.
  • Never pay with gift cards or cryptocurrency on demand. Government agencies and legitimate companies will never demand payment via gift cards, Bitcoin, or wire transfers. This is a near-universal red flag.
  • Use secure payment methods for online purchases. Credit cards offer the best fraud protection. Be wary of sellers who insist on payment apps like Zelle, Venmo, or Cash App, especially for items you have not seen in person.
  • Be skeptical of unsolicited investment offers. If a stranger contacts you with a “guaranteed” crypto opportunity, it is a scam. Legitimate investments do not require you to recruit others or pay upfront fees to withdraw.
  • Report scams promptly. The FTC collects reports at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report can help them track trends and shut down operations. You can also report to your state consumer protection office and the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

Sources

This article is based on the FTC’s public webinar held during National Consumer Protection Week, March 2026, and the agency’s 2025 Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book. For more details, visit the FTC’s consumer information page at consumer.ftc.gov.