Fraud Watch September 2026: Tried-and-True Tricks that Still Work for Fraudsters

Scammers are constantly finding new ways to make their schemes more convincing, and many still rely on the same tactics: creating urgency, building trust, and catching you off guard.

From phishing messages and imposter scams to romance scams, knowing what to look for can help you recognize trouble before you respond. This month’s Fraud Watch breaks down a few classic scams and simple steps you can take to protect yourself.

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Phishing Scams

A message that looks legitimate can sometimes be anything but. Phishing scams use familiar names, logos, and urgent requests to trick you into clicking a malicious link or giving away information that can be used to access your accounts.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Avoid links or attachments in unexpected messages, especially those asking you to verify account information.
• Look closely at email addresses, phone numbers, URLs, and other details that may reveal an impersonator — bad grammar and spelling errors.
• If you’re concerned about an account, use the company’s official website, app, or a verified phone number to contact them.

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Imposter Scams

Just because a caller sounds familiar or a message appears to come from someone you know doesn’t mean it’s really them. Scammers can pose as relatives, businesses, government agencies, or financial institutions to convince you that an urgent situation requires money or personal information.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Resist the urge to respond quickly. Urgent demands for money or personal information are a warning sign.
• Verify the source. Contact the person or organization using a phone number you already know or find through a verified source.
• Be cautious of unusual payment requests. Gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, and other difficult-to-reverse payments should raise a red flag.

Romance Scams

In a romance scam, a fraudster develops an online relationship with the goal of gaining the other person’s trust. Eventually, the conversation may turn to an emergency, travel costs, an investment, or another situation where the scammer asks for money.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Approach online relationships with caution. Be especially careful if someone consistently avoids meeting in person or by video.
• Never send money based on emotional pressure. Requests for financial help from someone you’ve only met online should be treated cautiously.
• Talk to someone you trust. A friend or family member may notice warning signs that are harder to see when you’re emotionally invested

Pause Before You Pay

Does something feel off? Is the offer too good to be true? Do you feel like you need to discuss it with someone? Stop. Think. Call. Get more fraud prevention tips from our Fraud Center, where we cover the latest fraud trends affecting our community.