What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams

Keeping up with the latest scams can feel like a full-time job. Scammers constantly refine their tactics, exploiting new technologies and current events to catch people off guard. That’s why the information shared during the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) recent National Consumer Protection Week webinar is so critical. The session provided a timely update on the frauds that are currently working, and more importantly, how you can stop them from working on you.

While the full details of the March 2026 webinar aren’t publicly available in a transcript, reports from associated coverage, including a follow-up session on military financial scams, point to consistent, evolving threats. Understanding these patterns is your first line of defense.

Based on the FTC’s ongoing analysis and related alerts, several dangerous trends continue to dominate:

  1. Impersonation Scams: This remains a top category. Scammers pretend to be someone you trust—a well-known company, a government agency like the Social Security Administration, a tech support agent, or even a family member in distress. The contact often comes via phone, text, email, or social media message, creating a fabricated crisis that demands immediate payment or personal information.

  2. Romance Scams: These scams prey on emotion. Con artists create fake profiles on dating apps or social media, build a seemingly genuine relationship over weeks or months, and then fabricate a story needing financial help—a medical emergency, travel costs to meet, or a business setback. These scams result in some of the highest individual financial losses reported.

  3. Targeted Military Financial Scams: As highlighted in a related FTC webinar, service members and veterans face specific threats. Scammers may impersonate military officials, offer fraudulent loans or investment schemes tailored to military pay, or exploit benefits information. The perceived authority and unique financial pressures can make these schemes particularly effective.

  4. Phishing 2.0: The classic “phish” for your password has gotten more sophisticated. Instead of just poorly written emails, you might get a text about a missed package delivery with a legitimate-looking link, or a voicemail that appears to come from your own bank’s phone number (a technique called “spoofing”). The goal is still to steal login credentials, credit card numbers, or install malware.

Practical Steps to Protect Yourself

Awareness is only half the battle. Here are concrete actions you can take, informed by the FTC’s consistent advice:

  • Slow Down and Verify. Scammers create urgency. If someone pressures you to act immediately, pay with a gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency, it’s a massive red flag. Hang up or stop messaging. Independently find the official contact information for the organization or person they claim to be and call them directly to verify the story.
  • Strengthen Your Digital Defenses. Use strong, unique passwords for different accounts and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible. This adds a critical second step for verification if a password is compromised.
  • Guard Your Personal Information. Be skeptical of unsolicited requests for your Social Security number, bank account details, or one-time passcodes. No legitimate government agency or company will call, text, or email to ask for this information out of the blue.
  • Talk About It. Scam attempts often thrive in secrecy. Discussing these threats with family, friends, and colleagues—especially older adults or those who may be more isolated—builds community resilience. Sharing stories helps everyone recognize the patterns.
  • Know the Military-Specific Advice: If you or a family member serves, be extra vigilant about unsolicited financial offers. Verify any offer through your chain of command or official military support offices. The FTC and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) have resources specifically for military consumers.

Where to Turn for Help

If you suspect you’ve encountered a scam, or worse, lost money to one, you are not alone and reporting it matters.

  1. Report it to the FTC: File a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. This helps law enforcement track trends and build cases against scammers.
  2. Report to Local Authorities: Contact your local police department, especially if you’ve suffered a financial loss.
  3. Notify the Impostored Organization: If the scammer pretended to be from a specific company (like Amazon or your bank), alert that company’s fraud department through their official website.

Staying safe is an ongoing practice, not a one-time fix. By understanding the current tactics, implementing these practical checks, and knowing where to report suspicious activity, you significantly reduce your risk. Let the FTC’s work be a reminder: a healthy dose of skepticism is one of the most valuable tools in your consumer protection toolkit.