New year, smart(er) tricks
As we head into the new year, financial scams continue to evolve. While the tools may be changing with the help of artificial intelligence (AI), the goal of scammers has stayed constant - to defraud you, the victim, of your hard earned funds. The most effective defense isn't complex technology; it is calm confidence. We’ve identified the three most common fraud trends for 2026, how they work, how to spot them, and how to stop them.
1. What is a "long-con" investment scam?
This is a fraud where a scammer builds a personal relationship with a victim over weeks or months, often via text or social media. After building a relationship, the scammer introduced a fraudulent investment opportunity, typically requesting cryptocurrency to participate. These scams are also known as “pig butchering.” The scammer's goal is to encourage large transfers of wealth into fake trading platforms. The scam starts slow, with a few hundred or thousands of dollars at first, then escalates to all of the funds a victim may have available to them.
- How to spot it: A new online friend claims to be an investment expert and shares screenshots of their "wins" or "guaranteed" profits to entice you to join in.
- The Fix: Never act on investment advice from an online acquaintance, no matter how profitable their own returns appear to be.
2. How do AI voice scams work?
AI voice cloning (or "vishing") occurs when a scammer uses a short audio recording to synthesize a realistic copy of a person's voice. Sometimes this is someone that the victim may know. They use this "clone" to call family members or employees, claiming an emergency that requires immediate funds.
- How to spot it: The "family member" claims to be in a crisis (like jail or a hospital) and insists you send money immediately via wire transfer or gift cards to help them.
- The Fix: Verify offline. If you receive a distressed call, hang up and dial the person’s known phone number directly.
3. Why am I getting "urgent" security alerts?
Phantom Hacker scams begin with a text or email claiming your account is "frozen" or "breached." These messages are designed to trigger panic, leading you to contact a fake support agent who will pressure you to move money to a "safe" account.
- How to spot it: The message uses threatening language (e.g., "Your account will be suspended") and directs you to a phone number that doesn't match the one on the back of your card.
- The Fix: Pause and check. Legitimate institutions will never ask you to move money to protect it. Contact Facet or your bank directly using the number on the back of your card.
Your Safety Cheat Sheet
- Double the Lock: Turn on two-step verification (MFA) for your email and bank accounts. This adds a second layer of safety—like a text code or an app notification—so even if someone gets your password, they still can’t get in.
- Respect the "Speed Limit": Fraud relies on urgency. If anyone promises guaranteed high returns or demands an immediate transfer to resolve a crisis, stop. Real financial planning is rarely an emergency.
- Create a "Family Code Word": Establish a specific word that only your family knows. If a caller claims to be a loved one in trouble but cannot provide the word, the call is a fake.
- Freeze Your Credit: A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report, preventing identity thieves from opening new accounts in your name. It is free and can be toggled on or off instantly.
