New Scam Trends You Should Know About in 2026, According to the FTC

If you missed the Federal Trade Commission’s annual webinar during National Consumer Protection Week last month, you are not alone. But the trends the agency highlighted are worth catching up on. Scammers are refining old tricks with new technology, and the financial losses they cause continue to climb.

What Happened

On March 5, 2026, the FTC presented its latest Consumer Protection Data Spotlight during a webinar co‑hosted with the Association of Credit and Collection Professionals (ACA International). The session focused on the most common and fastest‑growing fraud schemes affecting U.S. households.

According to the FTC’s data, three broad categories stood out:

  • AI‑powered voice cloning. Fraudsters obtain a short audio sample—often from social media or a voicemail greeting—and use artificial intelligence to mimic a person’s voice. They then call a family member or friend, impersonating the victim in distress and asking for urgent money transfers.
  • Imposter scams. These remain the most reported fraud type. Scammers pose as government officials (Social Security, IRS), tech support representatives, or utility companies. The twist in 2026 is that callers now use caller‑ID spoofing combined with personalized details purchased from data brokers.
  • Cryptocurrency fraud. Investment scams involving Bitcoin and other digital currencies have surged. Schemes often begin as a romantic interest or a “wrong number” text and then pivot to a fake trading platform. Once money is sent to a crypto wallet, it is nearly impossible to recover.

The webinar also noted an increase in scams targeting military families and older adults.

Why It Matters

These scams are not just nuisances. The FTC reported that median individual losses for voice‑cloning scams reached $3,500 in 2025, and cryptocurrency investment losses averaged over $70,000 per incident. Because cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible and many voice‑cloning cases rely on emotional urgency, victims often do not realize they have been tricked until the money is gone.

The sophistication is also rising. A recorded message that sounds exactly like your spouse or child can bypass the skepticism that prevents people from wiring money to a stranger. Similarly, a fake login page that mirrors a bank’s website with a slight URL change can fool even experienced users.

What Readers Can Do

You can take concrete steps without needing technical expertise.

For voice‑cloning attempts:

  • Hang up and call the person back on a number you know is theirs. If they say they cannot talk, ask a question only they would know.
  • Create a family “code word” for emergencies. Anyone asking for help over the phone should be able to provide it.
  • Do not post voicemail greetings publicly, and limit audio clips of family members on social media.

For imposter scams:

  • Never give personal information to an unsolicited caller. Government agencies will not threaten arrest or demand payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
  • Hang up and call the official number of the agency or company—do not use the number the caller gives you.
  • Enable two‑factor authentication on email and financial accounts to slow down account takeovers.

For cryptocurrency fraud:

  • Treat any unsolicited offer of a “guaranteed” crypto investment as a red flag. Legitimate investments never require payment in cryptocurrency alone.
  • If someone you have never met in person asks you to send crypto, assume it is a scam.
  • Use the FTC’s Cryptocurrency Fraud reporting tool at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

If you believe you have been scammed, act quickly. Contact your bank or credit union, report the incident to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and file a complaint with the local police or state attorney general. The sooner you report, the better the chance of interrupting the flow of funds.

Staying informed is your best defense. The FTC publishes free consumer alerts and data spotlights year‑round at consumer.ftc.gov. No single tip stops every scam, but knowing what is currently circulating can help you pause before you act.

Sources

  • ACA International, “FTC Webinar Highlights Latest Scam Trends During National Consumer Protection Week,” March 5, 2026.
  • Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Protection Data Spotlight 2026 (presented during the webinar).
  • FTC, “Consumer Alerts,” consumer.ftc.gov.