What the FTC’s Latest Webinar Reveals About Today’s Top Scams

National Consumer Protection Week brings a fresh round of warnings and data from the Federal Trade Commission. During a webinar held in early March 2026, FTC staff outlined the scam trends that are hitting consumers hardest right now. If you’ve been wondering which threats deserve your attention—and what you can actually do about them—this recap covers the most actionable takeaways.

What Happened

The FTC webinar, co-hosted with ACA International, focused on three scam categories that have been rising sharply: government and business impersonation, phishing via text message (smishing), and fake check overpayment schemes. Each of these tactics has evolved in the past year, making them harder to spot at first glance.

  • Impersonation scams remain the top reported fraud type. Callers pose as officials from the Social Security Administration, the IRS, or even local police, claiming there’s an urgent problem with your account or a warrant for your arrest. The caller ID is often spoofed to look legitimate.
  • Phishing and smishing have moved beyond clumsy emails. Scammers now send texts that appear to come from your bank, a shipping company, or a well-known retailer. The message usually contains a link that leads to a fake login page designed to steal your credentials.
  • Fake check overpayment scams typically target people selling items online or those looking for work. The scammer sends a check for more than the agreed amount, then asks you to wire back the difference. The check eventually bounces, but you’re already out the money you sent.

The webinar also noted that scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to mimic voices and generate convincing documents, though the basic psychological pressure—creating a sense of urgency or fear—remains the same.

Why It Matters

These scams are not just nuisances; they cause real financial harm. According to FTC data from recent years, consumers reported losing billions of dollars to fraud. Impersonation scams alone account for a large share of those losses, especially among older adults. The rise of text-based phishing is particularly concerning because people are more likely to trust a text message than an email, and young adults are now nearly as likely to fall for these lures as older generations.

The fake check overpayment scam is especially dangerous for people who use peer-to-peer payment apps or online marketplaces. The check may appear to clear initially, but that’s only because banks are required to make funds available quickly. The fraud can take weeks to surface, by which time the money has already left your account.

Understanding these patterns helps you recognize the red flags before you act. That’s the main point the FTC drove home: slowing down and verifying goes a long way.

What Readers Can Do

Here are specific steps you can take right now to protect yourself:

  • Hang up and call back. If someone calls claiming to be from your bank, the IRS, or a government agency, do not engage. Hang up, find the official number on your statement or the agency’s website, and call them directly. Do not use any number the caller gives you.
  • Never click links in unsolicited texts. If you get a text from “your bank” asking you to confirm a transaction, open your banking app separately or call the number on the back of your card. The same rule applies to package delivery notifications—go to the carrier’s official website instead.
  • Treat overpayments with extreme caution. If someone sends you a check or payment for more than the amount you agreed on, do not refund the difference. Wait until the check has truly cleared—not just when the bank says funds are available, which can take weeks. Better yet, use a secure payment method like a credit card or an escrow service.
  • Report fraud. If you suspect you’ve been scammed, file a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps the FTC spot new trends and take action. You can also forward phishing texts to 7726 (SPAM) and phishing emails to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at [email protected].

No single step guarantees safety, but combining these habits dramatically reduces your risk. The FTC webinar made clear that scammers adapt quickly, so staying informed is an ongoing process.

Sources

  • FTC webinar on scam trends during National Consumer Protection Week, March 2026 (co-hosted with ACA International).
  • FTC consumer advice: Consumer Alerts
  • FTC reporting portal: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
  • National Consumer Protection Week resources: ftc.gov/ncpw