What the FTC’s Latest Scam Data Means for You

Every year during National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission takes the opportunity to give the public a clearer picture of what fraud looks like right now. This year, a webinar hosted by the FTC and covered by ACA International laid out the scam trends that consumers should be paying attention to in 2026. If you’ve felt like the calls and messages are getting more convincing, you’re not wrong—the tactics are evolving.

Here’s a recap of the key takeaways, along with practical steps you can take to protect yourself.

What Happened: The FTC’s Latest Scam Landscape

During the webinar, FTC staff presented data from the Consumer Sentinel Network, which collects fraud reports from consumers across the country. While the full report wasn’t released in the webinar alone, the agency highlighted several persistent and emerging patterns:

  • Imposter scams remain the most reported fraud category. Scammers pretend to be from the government, a tech support company, a utility, or even a family member in distress.
  • Phishing attempts are becoming more targeted. Instead of generic “your account is locked” emails, scammers are using personal information found online to make messages feel legitimate.
  • AI-powered voice cloning is a growing concern. A small but rising number of reports involve callers using artificial intelligence to mimic the voice of a loved one, often claiming to need money for an emergency.

The webinar also touched on scams targeting military personnel and veterans, a separate but related issue that the FTC addressed in a later session (also covered by ACA International). The common thread: scammers are exploiting trust and urgency.

Why It Matters

These trends aren’t just statistics. The FTC’s data shows that consumers lost billions to fraud in recent years, and these newer tactics are designed to bypass the skepticism people have built up against older scams. For example, a recorded message from “Grandma” asking for bail money can be emotionally devastating and financially damaging. Because AI can now replicate a voice with just a few seconds of audio found on social media, the barrier to entry for scammers is lower than ever.

The takeaway is simple: being aware of the specific methods scammers are using right now gives you a real advantage. Fraud prevention isn’t about being paranoid—it’s about knowing what to look for and having a plan.

What You Can Do: Practical Protection Tips

You don’t need to become a cybersecurity expert to stay safer. These steps address the trends highlighted in the webinar:

  1. For imposter scams: hang up and verify. If someone calls claiming to be from the Social Security Administration, your bank, or a utility, do not give out any information. Hang up, find the official phone number on your latest bill or the agency’s website, and call back to confirm.

  2. For phishing: slow down and check the sender. Scammers create urgency (“Your account will be closed in 24 hours”). Instead of clicking the link in an email or text, open the service’s app or website directly by typing the address yourself. Look for misspellings, odd sender addresses, and generic greetings.

  3. For AI voice cloning: set a family code word. Agree on a secret word or phrase with close family members that can be used in an emergency call. If you receive a call from someone claiming to be a relative in trouble, ask for the code word. If they can’t provide it, it’s a scam.

  4. Report scams when you see them. The FTC uses reports to track trends and take action. Go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov to file a complaint. For military-related scams, the FTC has a dedicated portal through the Consumer Sentinel Military section.

  5. Keep software and devices updated. While not a direct fix for social engineering, updated phones and computers are less vulnerable to malware that scammers sometimes use to gather personal information.

Sources

  • ACA International. “FTC Webinar Highlights Latest Scam Trends During National Consumer Protection Week.” March 5, 2026. Google News article
  • ACA International. “FTC Webinar Highlights Responding to Military Financial Scams.” March 17, 2026. Google News article

Staying Informed, Not Afraid

Scams are going to keep changing. That’s the nature of the problem. But the FTC’s annual data releases give us a reliable snapshot of what’s working for criminals—and what isn’t yet on most people’s radar. Use that information to update your own habits. Share it with older relatives or anyone who might be less familiar with the latest tricks. A few minutes of awareness can save a lot of trouble later.