05/09/2026
Accidentally paying a scammer or sharing your information can affect your financial well-being. Have a plan and know what to do if it happens…to you or someone you know.
Check out consumer.gov/scams
Top 10 Scams of 2025/2026
Online Shopping/Merchandise Scams: Fraudsters set up fake websites or ads for goods that are never delivered, often dominating reported fraud numbers.
Phishing/Spoofing: Fake emails or texts warning of "suspicious activity" aimed at stealing login credentials.
Employment/Job Scams: Fake "hiring" scenarios where victims are sent checks to purchase equipment, only for the check to bounce.
Imposter Scams (Government/Family): Scammers pretend to be IRS, Social Security, or law enforcement, demanding payment to avoid arrest or fines.
Romance Scams: Con artists build online relationships to create a fake emergency and ask for money.
Investment Scams: False promises of high returns, often involving cryptocurrency or phony stock tips.
Tech Support Scams: Pop-ups warning of fake computer infections, leading to remote access theft.
Fake Check/Overpayment Scams: Victims receive a check, are told to send back funds, and later find the check is fraudulent.
Sweepstakes/Prize Scams: Notifications that you won a lottery or prize but must pay taxes or fees upfront to claim it.
Ransomware/Extortion: Digital threats that lock devices or threaten to release private information unless a ransom is paid.
How to Avoid Scams
Do not click links: Avoid clicking links in unexpected emails or texts.
Verify the source: Call companies directly using official websites, not numbers provided in alerts.
Never pay upfront: Never pay money to receive a "prize" or to secure a job.
Be skeptical of payment methods: Legitimate businesses never ask for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or crypto.
Please report scams to the Federal Trade Commission at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/
