Scams going around right now

This week’s top scam warnings

Week of October 12–17, 2026. Each summary is based on an official warning; follow the links for full details.

1. Midterm election scams: fake donations, “investment pools” and voter-registration texts

On October 15, 2026, the FBI warned that scammers are using the midterm election in several ways: promising a guaranteed return on campaign contributions, posing as political action committees and keeping the donations, selling political merchandise that never ships, and sending texts or emails saying you are not registered to vote with a link to a fake registration page that steals personal information. The FBI also warns that AI is being used to imitate candidates’ voices and images.

What to do: campaign donations are not an investment and will never pay you back. Check your registration only at the official site you type in yourself — the FBI points to vote.gov — and don’t click links in unexpected election texts.

2. Callers pretending to be police, courts and government officials

In a September 2026 alert, the FBI reported nearly 61,000 complaints and more than $1.6 billion in losses from January 2025 to July 2026 to scammers impersonating law enforcement and government officials. Common stories include a missed jury duty or court date with a warrant, an expiring license or passport, and accusations of a crime. Some scammers now use AI to appear as officials on video calls and demand payment by prepaid card, courier, wire, crypto or cash at a crypto kiosk.

What to do: the FBI says officials will never call or text to demand payment or ask for sensitive information. Hang up. See government impostor scams.

3. Health insurance and Medicare open enrollment scams

The FTC warns that during open enrollment, scammers use web addresses and logos that look like HealthCare.gov or Medicare.gov, and buy ads at the top of search results. Calling the number in an ad can lead to a plan that isn’t real insurance — or to medical identity theft.

What to do: go directly to Medicare.gov or call 1-800-633-4227; for ACA plans use HealthCare.gov or call 800-318-2596. Free help is available from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program and Senior Medicare Patrol. See what to do when “Medicare” calls.

4. Fake QR codes on parking meters

Scammers are sticking their own QR codes over the real ones on parking meters, according to a September 2026 FTC alert. Scanning one can send you to a fake payment site that steals your money or personal information.

What to do: check the link your phone shows before opening it, look for spelling mistakes, and pay through the official parking app or meter when you can. If you entered a password, change it; check your card statements.

5. Copycat websites: car dealers and bill-pay pages

The FTC warned in September 2026 that scammers are copying real car dealership websites — sometimes with AI — to take upfront payments for cars that don’t exist, often advertising rare or classic models. In August 2026 it also warned that some companies buy search ads that make them look like the official place to pay a bill, then add fees.

What to do: scroll past paid search results, type addresses yourself, ask to see a car and dealership in person, and walk away from “wire transfer only” demands. Use our 10 checks to tell if a website is legit.

6. Fake “recovery” services — including fake FBI accounts

Scammers are targeting people who already lost money. The FBI warns of fake IC3 profiles and pages on Facebook Messenger and Telegram — sometimes with AI-generated videos of FBI staff — offering to recover funds for a fee. IC3 has no social media presence, never contacts people directly, and never charges to recover money.

7. Couriers collecting cash for crypto “investments”

The FBI warns that some crypto investment scammers now send couriers to pick up cash from victims’ homes — usually older adults — after banks block their transfers. See trading scam red flags.

Still going strong

These scams never really go away. If you get one, the linked guides explain exactly what to do:

• Fake package delivery texts — the most-reported text scam of 2024, the FTC found. See USPS will never send you this text.
• Unpaid toll texts — see toll road scam texts.
• Fake bank fraud alerts — see card scams and fake fraud alerts.
• Tech-support pop-ups — see tech support scams.
• Cloned voices of grandchildren — see AI scams and your family.

How we update this page

Every week, our editors review the newest FTC Consumer Alerts and FBI public service announcements on IC3.gov, select the warnings most relevant to older adults and their families, and summarize them in plain English. We only include scams described by an official source, listed below. Read our editorial policy for details.