Impersonation Scams

Top Scam Trends the FTC Wants You to Know About Right Now Every year during National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission shares its latest findings on what frauds are costing Americans the most money and which tactics are spreading fastest. This year’s webinar, held in early March 2026, highlighted several scam types that continue to evolve and grow. Here is a practical summary of the trends that matter most to consumers, along with steps you can take to avoid becoming a victim. ...

Key Scam Trends from FTC’s National Consumer Protection Week Webinar Every year, National Consumer Protection Week gives the FTC a platform to share the latest data on how scammers are operating. The agency’s most recent webinar, held during that week, outlined which fraud tactics are growing and how consumers can defend themselves. If you missed it, here’s a summary of what was covered—and what you can do about it. ...

Fraud Alert: Scams Targeting People Over 50 Are Rising Fast—Here’s How to Stay Safe If you’re over 50, a recent string of news alerts may have caught your attention—and for good reason. Fraud cases involving older adults are climbing sharply, and technology is increasingly the tool scammers use to reach their victims. In April 2026, CBS News issued a consumer alert highlighting this trend, while AARP reported staggering losses in Florida alone. Understanding what’s happening and how to protect yourself is more urgent than ever. ...

Fraud Alert for 50+: Impersonation and Tech Scams Are Surging—Here’s How to Stay Safe If you or someone you care for is over 50, it’s worth paying closer attention to scam warnings right now. Fraud cases targeting older adults are climbing sharply, especially scams that use technology to impersonate government agencies, tech support, or even family members. According to recent news reports from CBS News and AARP, the numbers are sobering: more than $258 million was stolen from Floridians aged 50 and older in 2025 alone, and impersonation scams have surged 148 percent nationally, making them the single most common fraud type. ...

Fraud Surge Targets Adults Over 50: How to Spot and Stop Tech Scams If you are over 50, the odds that a scammer will call, email, or text you this year are higher than ever. Reports from CBS News and AARP in April 2026 show a sharp increase in fraud cases targeting older adults, with criminals relying on technology to impersonate trusted organizations and trick people into sending money or sharing personal information. ...

Fraud Surge Targeting Older Adults: How to Protect Yourself from Tech Scams Introduction Scammers are increasingly reaching older Americans through phones, emails, and computers. Recent reports from CBS News and AARP show that fraud targeting people over 50 is climbing sharply, with impersonation scams now the most common type. In Florida alone, more than $258 million was stolen from older adults in 2025. While no one is immune, knowing the tactics and taking simple precautions can make a real difference. ...

How to Spot Tech Scams Targeting People Over 50 Fraud directed at older adults is increasing sharply, and technology is the primary vehicle. Recent reports from CBS News and AARP show that impersonation scams alone surged 148 percent in the past year, and in Florida, people over 50 lost more than $258 million in 2025. These numbers represent real people who received a phone call, an email, or a pop‑up that sounded urgent and legitimate — and then lost savings in minutes. ...

Fraud Surge Targeting Older Adults: How to Spot Tech Scams Before You Lose Money Fraud cases involving phone calls, texts, and emails are rising sharply among people aged 50 and older. Recent reports from CBS News and AARP show that losses in Florida alone topped $258 million in 2025, and impersonation scams — where someone pretends to be a government agency, a tech company, or a family member — increased 148% compared to the previous year. If you or someone you care for is in this age group, it’s worth understanding what’s driving this wave and how you can reduce the risk. ...

Spotting the Imposter: Your Guide to Impersonation Scams During Consumer Protection Week As National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 approaches, it’s an ideal time to sharpen our defenses against one of the most common and costly frauds: impersonation scams. These deceptions, where criminals pretend to be someone you trust, are a perennial focus for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) because they are devastatingly effective. Let’s break down how these scams work and, more importantly, how you can stop them. ...

Your Guide to the FTC’s Consumer Protection Week 2026: How to Fight Back Against Scams Every year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) dedicates a week to empowering you with the knowledge to spot, avoid, and report fraud. National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 is here, and its timing couldn’t be more critical. With scammers constantly refining their tactics, the FTC’s campaign serves as a crucial annual checkpoint to refresh your defenses. ...