Every year during National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) shares an updated look at the scams currently costing Americans the most money. This year’s webinar, hosted in cooperation with ACA International, covered several emerging tactics that consumers should know about. While the trends themselves change, the goal is the same: separate people from their money or personal information.

Here is a summary of what the FTC highlighted and, more importantly, what you can do to stay ahead of these threats.

What Happened

The FTC’s presentation reviewed the most common and costliest scams reported in recent months. Among the key trends were:

  • Government impersonation scams – Callers pretending to be from the Social Security Administration, the IRS, or other agencies demanding immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
  • Tech support scams – Fraudsters posing as well-known companies (Microsoft, Apple, etc.) claiming your computer is infected and asking for remote access or payment for unnecessary repairs.
  • Cryptocurrency investment fraud – Increasingly sophisticated schemes promising guaranteed returns, often using fake websites or apps that show fabricated profits.
  • Fake emergencies – Scammers contacting victims, sometimes using AI voice cloning to sound like a relative in distress, and requesting urgent money for bail, medical bills, or travel.

The webinar also noted that scammers are adapting quickly to new technologies. For example, payment apps like Zelle, Venmo, and Cash App are now commonly used because transactions are often irreversible. AI-generated voices and even video deepfakes are being employed to make impersonation more convincing.

Why It Matters

Scam tactics evolve, but the underlying patterns remain similar: urgency, secrecy, and unusual payment methods. What makes the current wave particularly dangerous is the use of technology that can make a fake call or message feel very real. Many consumers still believe they would easily spot a scam, but these newer approaches are designed to bypass that skepticism.

The financial impact is significant. According to FTC data, consumers reported losing over $10 billion to fraud in 2023, with a substantial portion coming from the types of scams discussed in the webinar. Beyond immediate financial loss, identity theft resulting from these scams can cause years of credit and legal problems.

What Readers Can Do

You do not need to be a security expert to reduce your risk. Here are specific, practical steps based on the FTC’s recommendations.

1. Verify before acting If someone calls, texts, or emails claiming to be from a government agency or a tech company, do not use the contact information they provide. Look up the official phone number or website separately and call them directly. Government agencies will never demand payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer.

2. Be wary of payment app requests Only send money through apps like Zelle or Venmo to people you know and trust. Treat any request from a stranger or an unexpected “business” as a red flag. Once the money is sent, it is almost impossible to get back.

3. Hang up on high-pressure calls Scammers create a false sense of urgency—threatening arrest, account suspension, or legal action. Legitimate organizations will give you time to think and will never demand immediate payment over the phone.

4. Protect against AI voice scams If you receive a call from someone claiming to be a family member in an emergency, hang up and call that relative on their known phone number. Set a code word with close family members that can be used to confirm identity in a real crisis.

5. Monitor your accounts regularly Check bank, credit card, and investment account statements at least once a month. Set up alerts for transactions above a certain amount. The sooner you spot unauthorized activity, the easier it is to dispute.

6. Report scams when you see them Even if you did not lose money, reporting helps the FTC track patterns and take action. Go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov and submit a report. You can also forward phishing emails to [email protected] or report unwanted robocalls to the Do Not Call Registry.

Sources

The information in this article is drawn from the FTC webinar held March 5, 2026, during National Consumer Protection Week, as covered by ACA International (a trade association for credit and collection professionals). Additional context comes from FTC consumer alert data and reporting guidelines available at consumer.ftc.gov and ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Note: Scam trends can shift rapidly. The examples above reflect the topics emphasized in the webinar. Always check the FTC’s latest alerts for the most current information.