New Scam Trends Identified in FTC Webinar – What to Watch For

New Scam Trends Identified in FTC Webinar – What to Watch For

During National Consumer Protection Week in early March 2026, the Federal Trade Commission held a webinar that outlined the most pressing scam threats facing consumers. The session, which was also covered by ACA International, offered a snapshot of current fraud patterns and practical ways to avoid them. If you are worried about identity theft or losing money to a scam, the following trends and tips are worth knowing.

What Happened

The FTC webinar focused on three categories of scams that are seeing the highest rates of consumer reports and financial losses:

Impostor scams remain the most common. Fraudsters pretend to be government officials (like the Social Security Administration or IRS), tech support representatives, or even family members in distress. The goal is to create urgency: you owe taxes, your computer has a virus, or a relative needs bail money immediately. Victims are often pressured to send payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.

Online shopping and payment fraud is on the rise as well. Fake websites and social media ads lure consumers with deals that are too good to be true. After you enter your payment information, the product never arrives, or your card is used for unauthorized purchases. The FTC noted that scammers increasingly use sophisticated site designs that mimic well-known retailers.

Investment and cryptocurrency scams are a growing concern, especially as more people use apps to trade digital assets. Fraudsters promote fake opportunities—often through social media or dating apps—claiming guaranteed returns. They may ask you to deposit funds into a “trading platform” that is actually controlled by the scammers. Once you send money, it’s gone.

A related FTC webinar covered scams targeting military families, which often follow similar patterns but exploit the unique circumstances of deployment, frequent moves, and financial stress.

Why It Matters

These scam trends are not abstract. According to FTC data, consumers lose billions of dollars each year to these schemes. Impostor scams alone cost victims in the billions. The emotional and financial damage can be long-lasting, particularly for seniors, military families, and small business owners who may be less familiar with digital threats.

Moreover, scammers adapt quickly. The same tactics used in government impersonation calls are now showing up in text messages and email. The FTC webinar stressed that awareness is the first layer of defense. Knowing what to look for can stop a scam before you hand over any information or money.

What Readers Can Do

Based on the recommendations shared in the webinar, here are concrete steps you can take today:

• Verify before you act. If someone calls claiming to be from the IRS, Social Security, or a utility company, hang up and call the official number on their website. Government agencies do not demand immediate payment by gift card or cryptocurrency.

• Check URLs and seller legitimacy carefully. Before entering payment details on a shopping site, look for typos, missing contact information, and reviews from independent sources. Use a credit card rather than a debit card or wire transfer—it offers stronger fraud protection.

• Be skeptical of quick-money promises. Any investment that claims guaranteed high returns with no risk is almost certainly a scam. Legitimate trading involves market ups and downs. If a contact you met online pushes you to deposit money into a platform you’ve never heard of, step back.

• Report suspicious activity. If you encounter a scam, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps law enforcement track patterns and may prevent others from falling victim.

• Military families: Be especially wary of offers for loans or credit counseling that seem out of the blue. Use resources like the FTC’s Military Consumer website for guidance.

Sources

• ACA International, “FTC Webinar Highlights Latest Scam Trends During National Consumer Protection Week,” March 2026.
• FTC Webinar on Military Financial Scams, covered by ACA International, March 2026.

Staying safe from scams doesn’t require paranoia—just a few habits of verification and a willingness to pause before acting on pressure. The trends highlighted in the FTC’s webinar are real and active, but with the right awareness, consumers can avoid the trap.