A new twist on FTC impersonation scams: a caller claiming to be an FTC official says a phone registered under your name and number is being used to commit scams in another country and threatens to deactivate it. They read off a fake badge ID, transfer you to a fake police officer, and eventually demand a "security deposit." None of it is real.

The FBI warns that scammers are exploiting the November 2026 midterms to steal money and personal information — through fake PAC donations, "campaign investment pools" promising guaranteed returns, political merchandise that never ships, and fake voter registration texts and emails designed to harvest your identity.

The FTC has sued a company behind sites like BlackmailHelpline.com and CyberBlackmail911.com for falsely promising to stop sextortion threats — charging victims thousands of dollars and failing to deliver. If someone threatens to share your intimate images, the real help is free: never pay the blackmailer or a paid "helper," and report it to law enforcement.

AARP reports that a fake Apple site is luring shoppers into reserving Apple's new foldable iPhone Duo with a $500 voucher and free AppleCare+ — although Apple does not begin accepting preorders until Oct. 16. According to cybersecurity company Malwarebytes, simply opening the page on an iPhone that is missing security updates can let criminals reach saved passwords, notes, photos, and messages.

Health insurance scams pick up during Open Enrollment for Medicare and the Marketplace. The FTC warns that scammers and dishonest businesses pay to appear at the top of search results, using web addresses that look like government sites and official-looking logos to pose as Medicare.gov or HealthCare.gov. Before you click, look for the "Ad" label and the .gov ending.