The latest scam warnings from official sources — the FBI, FTC, SEC and other government agencies — summarized in plain English. Every entry links to the agency's own warning so you can read the original.
Last updated: October 5, 2026
Week of October 5, 2026
Dealer impersonation
Fake car dealership websites
Scammers create websites that imitate legitimate car dealerships and accept deposits or payments for vehicles that do not exist. Buyers may arrive at the real dealership and discover that it has no record of the transaction.
Who it targets: People shopping for vehicles online.
What to do: Verify the dealership through independently obtained contact information before paying. Be cautious of online advertisements and payment requests that bypass normal dealership procedures.
Scammers impersonate law enforcement and tell victims to purchase gold or withdraw cash, then give it to a courier. Legitimate law-enforcement officers do not direct people to buy gold or surrender cash to couriers.
Who it targets: Residents targeted by urgent telephone or online demands, including older adults.
What to do: Do not buy gold, withdraw cash, or hand valuables to a courier based on an unsolicited instruction. Contact law enforcement through an independently verified phone number.
Scammers impersonate law enforcement and exploit domestic-violence victims to obtain money. The warning describes fraud that uses the victim’s circumstances and the appearance of official authority to make demands.
Who it targets: Domestic-violence victims in North Carolina.
What to do: Do not send money or personal information in response to an unsolicited demand claiming to come from law enforcement. Verify the request directly with the relevant agency and report suspected fraud to authorities.
Scammers use online ads and search results to impersonate health insurance sellers during Medicare and Marketplace Open Enrollment. They may direct consumers to fake websites or request personal and financial information.
Who it targets: Consumers shopping for Medicare or Marketplace health insurance, including older adults.
What to do: Use official government websites and verify insurers independently before sharing information or paying. Report suspected fraud to the FTC.
Scammers pose as farm-equipment businesses and advertise equipment for sale, but buyers receive no equipment after sending payment. The fraudulent listings may appear in online or social-media advertisements and may use copied business information.
Who it targets: Farmers and other consumers seeking to purchase farm equipment online.
What to do: Research the company independently, check the business name with terms such as “scam” or “complaint,” and verify contact information through unpaid search results. Do not pay by wire transfer, gift card, cryptocurrency, or payment app, and report suspected fraud to the FTC.
Malicious actors send direct messages containing links that use OAuth consent phishing to obtain access to victims’ accounts. The campaign targets prominent people, their family members, and personal acquaintances through personal accounts.
Who it targets: Prominent individuals and their family members, friends, and personal contacts.
What to do: Treat messages from unfamiliar numbers, accounts, or unknown contacts with increased suspicion, independently verify the sender, and authorize only trusted applications. Preserve screenshots and report suspected incidents to the FBI or IC3.
Fake "FBI IC3" agents promising to recover lost money
Scammers are pretending to work for the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), the place where people report online fraud. They contact people who have already lost money by phone, email, social media or online forums. They say the money has been found or can be recovered. It's a trick to steal bank details or collect "recovery fees," so the person loses money a second time. The FBI got more than 100 reports of this scam between December 2023 and February 2025.
Who it targets: People who have already lost money to a scam, especially anyone who filed a report.
What to do: The real IC3 will never call, email or message you directly, and it never charges a fee to get money back. If someone says they're from IC3, hang up or stop replying. Don't send money, gift cards or cryptocurrency, and don't share bank details. Report the contact at ic3.gov.
Scammers use the MyChart name and logo to offer a free "Medicare Kit," "Senior Health Package" or wellness gift. The link leads to a fake website built to steal your login, Medicare number, Social Security number or payment details. The messages do not come from MyChart or any health system.
Who it targets: Older adults and Medicare beneficiaries who use the MyChart patient portal.
What to do: Do not click any links, including "unsubscribe." Delete the message, and log in only through your health system's official MyChart website or app. Call your health system if you are unsure.
Scammers impersonating law enforcement and government officials
Scammers pose as U.S. or foreign law-enforcement officers or government officials and demand money or sensitive personal information. They may use threats, requests for cryptocurrency or prepaid cards, or couriers to pressure victims into paying.
Who it targets: Ordinary consumers, including people who may be particularly vulnerable to threats involving arrest, legal action, or government authority.
What to do: Do not send money or personal information in response to an unsolicited government or law-enforcement contact. End the communication, notify financial institutions if money was sent, contact local law enforcement, and report the incident to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Prize scams that redirect Social Security direct deposits
Scammers claim that a person has won a contest and must change their Social Security direct-deposit information to receive the prize. They may request personal and banking information and redirect benefits to a different account or prepaid debit card.
Who it targets: Social Security beneficiaries, particularly older adults receiving benefit payments.
What to do: Do not change direct-deposit information because of an unsolicited call, text, or prize notification. Contact SSA immediately at 1-800-772-1213 if unauthorized changes were made, and report the scam to SSA and the FTC.
Fear-based scams demanding cash or personal information
Scammers use fear, urgency, or false claims to persuade victims to withdraw large amounts of cash, provide financial information, or hand money to a courier. They may arrange an in-person cash exchange or ask victims to send photographs of cash.
Who it targets: Residents of New York's Troop K area, with particular concern for elderly people and their families, friends, and neighbors.
What to do: Do not withdraw or hand over cash because of an unsolicited demand, and do not provide photographs or personal or financial information to unknown people. Verify suspicious communications and consult a trusted person or law enforcement before sending money.
The SEC warns that fraudsters may impersonate the SEC, SEC officials, or SEC employees on social media or by text message. They use these channels to solicit victims into scams.
Who it targets: Investors and social media users who may be approached by fake SEC accounts or messages.
What to do: Be skeptical of unsolicited contact claiming to be from the SEC and verify communications through official SEC channels. Do not send money or personal information to unknown contacts.
FinCEN warns that scam centers are laundering proceeds from digital asset investment scams. These operations typically lure victims into fake investment schemes and move the stolen funds through complex laundering channels.
Who it targets: Financial institutions and their customers who may be victims of cyber-enabled scams.
What to do: Financial institutions should identify, detect, and report suspicious activity tied to these scam centers. Victims are encouraged to contact the FBI’s IC3 and, if relevant, the U.S. Secret Service.
The GSA OIG warns that scammers are spoofing real government phone numbers to make calls appear legitimate. The callers may demand immediate payment or ask for personal and banking information.
Who it targets: People who may believe they are receiving a call from a real government agency.
What to do: Hang up immediately and do not share personal or financial information. Report the impersonation scam to the agency’s OIG hotline or to the FTC.
SSA OIG warns that scammers are pretending to be from SSA and OIG and may already have some personal information. The agency says scammers may pressure victims to move money or hand over cash, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or gold bars.
Who it targets: Social Security beneficiaries and anyone contacted by a caller claiming to be from SSA or OIG.
What to do: Do not transfer money, buy gift cards, send crypto, or keep anything secret for the caller. Verify the contact independently and report suspected scams to SSA OIG.
Treasury OIG warns that unsolicited phone calls, texts, or emails claiming to be from Treasury OIG, FinCEN, OFAC, the Treasury Office of Legal Affairs, or the Secretary of the Treasury are frauds. These messages are designed to trick recipients into believing they are dealing with official Treasury personnel.
Who it targets: Members of the public who receive unexpected messages claiming to be from Treasury-related offices.
What to do: Do not trust unsolicited contact claiming to be from Treasury offices and avoid sharing personal information or making payments. Verify through official Treasury channels and report suspicious contact.
