May 2026

Scams often start with a text, call, or an ad or message on social media. So, if you have a phone or you’re on social media, chances are you’ve heard from a scammer recently.

If you’re deciding whether to have food or groceries delivered, you’re probably weighing price versus convenience. And to weigh those properly, it helps to know, well, the total price of delivery — including any fees you’ll have to pay, what they’re for, and when you’ll have to pay them. But reports to the FTC and recent FTC enforcement actions suggest that hidden or misleading fees and charges continue to be an issue for people using online food delivery platforms. That’s why the FTC is asking for public comments on whether a rule might be needed to help prevent unfair or deceptive fee practices in online food and grocery delivery.

If you run a small business, you know how important it is to pay your bills. Scammers know this too and send fake invoices to businesses for products or services they never ordered in the hopes they’ll pay up.

You might have heard from the news or your school that online learning platform Canvas’ parent company Instructure was hacked, potentially putting students’ personal information at risk.

Having someone share an intimate photo or video of you online without your consent can be stressful and overwhelming. These images, including AI-generated deepfakes, can spread quickly and cause real and lasting harm. That’s why Congress passed the TAKE IT DOWN Act—and why the FTC is holding platforms accountable under the law.

Looking for ways to celebrate Older Americans Month? There’s something people of all ages can do to participate and help each other avoid scams: Pass It On. The FTC has a different approach to educating older adults about fraud. Pass It On encourages people to lean into their invaluable life experience and use the free materials as a way to start a conversation with friends and family.

Every year, the FTC gets millions of fraud reports from consumers and shares information about the top scams. In what’s not a surprise for anyone who’s followed along in the past, imposter scams were the #1 scam for the ninth year in a row. So, what do we know about these imposter scams?

All week long, learn how the FTC can help you protect your small business from scams and online threats. Run a small business or want to support the small businesses in your community? Here’s how you can get involved.