The Scams to Watch for Now: Insights from the FTC’s Latest Alert

With each passing year, scams don’t just persist—they evolve. Criminals refine their tactics, exploit new technologies, and prey on current events to catch people off guard. That’s why the consistent guidance from watchdogs like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is so valuable. During a recent National Consumer Protection Week webinar, the agency highlighted the scam trends that are causing the most financial harm right now. While we don’t have a full transcript, the key takeaways offer a crucial snapshot of the current threat landscape.

Here’s a breakdown of the prominent scam patterns you should know about and concrete steps to shield yourself.

The FTC’s discussion pointed to several schemes that have moved to the forefront. Understanding their mechanics is the first step in building a defense.

  • Crypto-Asset and Investment Scams: These remain a dominant source of reported losses. Scammers lure victims with promises of guaranteed, sky-high returns on cryptocurrency or other “too-good-to-be-true” investments. The pitch often happens on social media, through fake dating profiles (pig-butchering scams), or via sophisticated-looking websites and apps that mimic legitimate trading platforms.
  • Impersonation Scams: This broad category continues to wreak havoc. It includes:
    • Business Impersonation: You get a call, text, or email pretending to be from a well-known company like Amazon, Microsoft, or your bank, claiming there’s a problem with your account or a suspicious charge.
    • Government Impersonation: Scammers pose as the IRS, Social Security Administration, or even law enforcement, threatening arrest, deportation, or cut-off of benefits unless you pay immediately, often with gift cards or wire transfers.
  • Prize and Sweepstakes Scams: You’re told you’ve won a large prize or lottery, but you must pay fees or taxes upfront to claim it. The “winnings” never materialize.

Key Red Flags: How to Spot the Hook

These scams may differ in their storyline, but they share common warning signs.

  1. Unsolicited Contact: The initial outreach is almost always unexpected—a pop-up alert on your computer, a text about a delivery you didn’t order, or a call from a “support agent.”
  2. A Sense of Urgency or Fear: Scammers create artificial pressure. You’re told you must act now to avoid a frozen account, a legal penalty, or to secure a limited-time offer. This pressure is designed to short-circuit your logical thinking.
  3. Demand for Specific Payment Methods: Legitimate businesses and government agencies will not demand payment via gift cards, wire transfers (like Western Union or MoneyGram), cryptocurrency, or peer-to-peer payment apps (like Venmo or Cash App) for fines or fees. This is a major red flag.
  4. Requests for Personal Information or Access: Be wary of anyone asking for passwords, one-time verification codes, or remote access to your computer to “fix” an issue you didn’t know existed.

What You Can Do: Practical Protection Strategies

Knowledge of trends and red flags is powerful, but it must be paired with action. Here are essential habits to adopt.

  • Slow Down and Verify. If you feel pressured, create space. Hang up the phone or close the message. Independently look up the official customer service number or website for the organization the person claims to represent (don’t use contact info they provide). Call them directly to check the story.
  • Never Pay or Give Information Under Pressure. No genuine entity will force you to make an immediate payment to resolve an issue. If someone is threatening you, it’s almost certainly a scam.
  • Secure Your Communications.
    • Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on every account that offers it. This makes it vastly harder for scammers to break in.
    • Be skeptical of links and attachments in unexpected messages. Navigate to websites directly by typing the address yourself.
  • Report What You See. Reporting scams is critical. It helps law enforcement track trends and build cases. If you encounter a scam:
    • Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
    • File a complaint with your state Attorney General’s office.
    • If the scam involved a fake business, report it to the real company being impersonated.

Staying safe is an ongoing practice, not a one-time fix. During National Consumer Protection Week and throughout the year, let the FTC’s insights serve as a reminder: a healthy dose of skepticism, combined with these practical steps, is your best defense against the ever-changing tactics of scammers. When in doubt, pause, and verify.

Sources & Further Reading:

  • Information derived from FTC consumer alerts and webinar topics discussed during National Consumer Protection Week.
  • For the latest alerts and to report fraud, visit the official FTC website at ftc.gov.