TLDR
Imposter scams topped the FTC's list of reported frauds for the ninth consecutive year. In these schemes, a criminal pretends to be someone you trust: a government agent, a bank employee, tech support, a relative in trouble, or even a...
How it works
Imposter scams topped the FTC's list of reported frauds for the ninth consecutive year. In these schemes, a criminal pretends to be someone you trust: a government agent, a bank employee, tech support, a relative in trouble, or even a...
Red flags
- Pressure to act immediately: "Pay now or you'll be arrested / your account will be closed." Requests for payment via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards, which are nearly impossible to reverse. A "caller ID" or email address that looks official but asks you to verify details they should already have. What to do Hang up or stop texting, then call the institution directly using a number from its official website. Never share one time codes, passwords, or remote access permissions with an inbound caller. Report the attempt to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to your bank if an
What to do
- 1Imposter scams topped the FTC's list of reported frauds for the ninth consecutive year.
- 2Reports show losses keep climbing, and the contact channel keeps shifting between phone calls, text messages, social media DMs, and AI generated voice clones.
- 3A "caller ID" or email address that looks official but asks you to verify details they should already have.
Source
ftc-consumer-blog
Source reviewed by Mythos Forensic Team
https://consumer.ftc.gov/%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A//consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/05/new-trends-reports-imposter-scams%22%20hreflang%3D%22en%22%3Eview%3C/a%3EFAQ
Is Imposter scams remain the number one fraud in the US: what to watch for in 2026 a real scam pattern?
Yes. Treat the message, call, or payment request as suspicious until you verify it through an official channel.
What are the first warning signs?
Pressure to act immediately: "Pay now or you'll be arrested / your account will be closed." Requests for payment via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards, which are nearly impossible to reverse. A "caller ID" or email address that looks official but asks you to verify details they should already have. What to do Hang up or stop texting, then call the institution directly using a number from its official website. Never share one time codes, passwords, or remote access permissions with an inbound caller. Report the attempt to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to your bank if an
What should I do first?
Imposter scams topped the FTC's list of reported frauds for the ninth consecutive year.; Reports show losses keep climbing, and the contact channel keeps shifting between phone calls, text messages, social media DMs, and AI generated voice clones.; A "caller ID" or email address that looks official but asks you to verify details they should already have.
Can LegalAudit check my case?
Yes. Start a free chat and paste the message, link, sender, or payment details for triage.