7 Scams Going Around Right Now and How to Protect Yourself
Updated July 2026
Scammers are getting better at sounding believable.
They can copy official logos, fake the name shown on your caller ID, and even clone the voice of someone you love.
That does not mean you need to be afraid of every phone call or text message. It simply means we all need to slow down and verify things before responding.
According to the FBI, Americans age 60 and older reported losing more than $7.7 billion to fraud in 2025. These scams can happen to anyone. Falling for one does not mean someone is foolish or careless. Scammers are professionals who know how to create fear, excitement, and confusion.
1. Fake Unpaid Toll Text Messages
Fake toll messages are everywhere right now.
The text may claim that you have an unpaid toll and must pay immediately to avoid extra fees, a suspended vehicle registration, or legal trouble. It may even use the name of a real toll service.
The link takes you to a fake payment page designed to steal your credit card information.
What to do
Do not click the link.
Do not reply to the message.
Visit your toll provider’s official website by typing the address yourself.
If you do not use toll roads, delete the message immediately.
Report junk texts through your phone’s spam-reporting option.
The FTC reported a major increase in government impersonation complaints, partly because of these fake unpaid toll messages.
2. Fake Package Delivery Messages
You may receive a text saying that USPS, FedEx, UPS, or another delivery service cannot deliver your package.
The message may ask you to confirm your address or pay a small redelivery fee. The fee may only be a few cents, but the real goal is to collect your card number and personal information.
What to do
Do not use the link in the message.
Open the store or delivery company’s official app yourself.
Type the tracking number into the company’s real website.
Never pay a delivery fee through an unexpected text message.
The FTC warns that messages about missed deliveries, unpaid postage, and address problems are commonly used in fake package-delivery scams.
3. Bank and Government Impersonation Scams
A caller may claim to be from your bank, the Social Security Administration, the IRS, the FBI, or another government agency.
They may say your account was hacked, your Social Security number was suspended, or you owe money. They might tell you to transfer your savings to a “safe account.”
There is no safe account. The account belongs to the scammer.
Caller ID cannot prove who is calling. Scammers can make a fake name or number appear on your screen.
What to do
Hang up.
Do not press any numbers.
Call your bank using the number printed on the back of your card.
Contact government agencies through their official
.govwebsites.Never move money because an unexpected caller tells you to “protect” it.
Never give anyone a verification code sent to your phone.
Social Security will not threaten you or demand immediate payment. The IRS usually begins contact by mailing a letter, not by sending a threatening text or social-media message.
You can learn more through the official Social Security scam page and the IRS guide on how to know whether it is really the IRS.
4. AI Family Emergency Calls
A caller may sound exactly like your child, grandchild, spouse, or close friend.
The person may claim to be injured, arrested, kidnapped, or stranded somewhere. They may beg you not to tell anyone.
Scammers can now use artificial intelligence to copy a person’s voice from a short video or audio clip posted online.
What to do
Hang up and call your loved one directly.
Contact another family member who can verify the story.
Ask a question only the real person would know.
Create a private family safety word.
Never send money based only on a frightened phone call.
The FTC recommends calling the family member through a number you already know, even when the voice sounds convincing. Read more about AI voice-cloning scams.
5. Fake Computer Security Warnings
A frightening message may suddenly appear on your computer.
It might claim that your computer has a virus, your files are being stolen, or your bank account is in danger. A phone number will appear with instructions to call “Microsoft,” “Apple,” or another technology company.
Real security warnings do not tell you to call a telephone number shown in a pop-up.
What to do
Do not call the number.
Do not click anything inside the warning.
Do not allow a stranger to control your computer remotely.
Try closing the browser window.
If it will not close, restart the computer.
Update your security software and run a scan.
Ask someone you trust for help if you are unsure.
The FTC warns that urgent pop-ups containing telephone numbers are a common sign of a tech-support scam.
6. Medicare and Social Security Scams
A caller may offer you a new Medicare card, free medical equipment, a back brace, or extra benefits.
They may ask you to confirm your Medicare or Social Security number. They can use this information to bill Medicare for services you never received or steal your identity.
Medicare cards are free. You do not need to pay someone to receive a replacement card.
What to do
Protect your Medicare number like a credit card number.
Do not give it to unexpected callers.
Check your Medicare statements for services you did not receive.
Call 1-800-MEDICARE if you notice suspicious charges.
Contact Social Security through
SSA.gov, not through a link in an unexpected message.
The FTC has warned about fake plans, unnecessary medical equipment, double billing, and criminals using stolen Medicare numbers to commit Medicare fraud.
7. Investment, Cryptocurrency, and Recovery Scams
Someone you meet online may promise an investment with unusually large or guaranteed profits.
They may show you a professional-looking website where your balance appears to grow. When you try to withdraw the money, they demand additional fees or taxes.
Another scam may begin after you have already lost money. Someone claiming to be from the FBI, FTC, IC3, a law firm, or a recovery company may promise to get your money back for an upfront fee.
That is often another scam.
What to do
Never trust guaranteed investment returns.
Be suspicious of anyone who insists on cryptocurrency.
Never use a Bitcoin ATM because a stranger tells you to.
Do not pay someone who unexpectedly offers to recover stolen money.
Discuss large financial decisions with someone you trust.
Check the person or company through an official regulator before investing.
The FBI recently warned that criminals are impersonating the IC3 and falsely claiming they can recover money lost in previous scams.
The Biggest Warning Signs
Stop immediately if someone:
Pressures you to act right now
Threatens arrest, account closure, or loss of benefits
Tells you to keep the situation secret
Requests gift cards, cryptocurrency, cash, gold, or a wire transfer
Asks for your password or verification code
Wants remote access to your computer
Tells you to move your money for protection
Refuses to let you hang up and verify the story
A real company or government agency will give you time to think and verify the information.
Simple Ways to Protect Yourself
Pause Before Responding
Scammers want you to react emotionally. Hang up, step away, and give yourself time to think.
Verify Everything Yourself
Do not use a phone number or link provided by the person contacting you. Find the company’s official website or use the number printed on your card or statement.
Use Two-Step Verification
Turn on two-step verification for your email, banking, and social-media accounts. Never share the security code with anyone.
Use Different Passwords
Do not reuse one password everywhere. If one account is compromised, scammers may try the same password on your other accounts.
Keep Devices Updated
Install updates on your phone, tablet, and computer. Updates often repair security problems that criminals could use.
Create a Family Safety Word
Choose a private word that family members can use during a real emergency. Do not post it online.
Choose a Trusted Person
Pick someone you can call before sending money or giving out personal information. A second opinion can help you spot something that does not feel right.
What to Do If You Already Responded
Act quickly, but do not panic.
Contact your bank or credit-card company immediately.
Ask whether the payment can be stopped or reversed.
Change any passwords you shared or entered on a suspicious website.
Tell your mobile carrier if someone may have taken control of your phone number.
Run a security scan if you downloaded anything.
Report identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov.
Report scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Report internet crimes to the FBI at IC3.gov.
Contact local law enforcement if you feel threatened or believe someone is in immediate danger.
Do not trust anyone who contacts you afterward and promises to recover your money for a fee.
Final Thoughts
Scammers depend on fear, pressure, and secrecy.
You are always allowed to hang up. You are always allowed to ignore a text. You are always allowed to ask someone you trust for help.
Taking a few minutes to verify a message could protect your identity, your savings, and your peace of mind.
If something feels wrong, stop. Do not click. Do not pay. Verify it yourself.
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