Fraud is evolving quickly, and in 2026 criminals are using advanced technology, including AI-generated voice cloning and deepfake videos to make scams more believable than ever. From impersonating family members to creating fake investment platforms, today’s fraudsters rely on urgency, emotion and trust to trick victims.
Here are five fraud trends to watch for this year.
Fake online stores and social media ads continue to lure shoppers with steep discounts on popular products. Many of these sites look professional and even include AI-generated reviews and customer service chats. After payment is sent, the product never arrives or isn’t what was promised.
Protect yourself: Research unfamiliar sellers, be cautious of “too good to be true” deals and consider using a credit card for added fraud protection.
Scammers are increasingly using AI to clone voices pulled from social media. You may receive a call that sounds exactly like a loved one claiming they’re in trouble and need money immediately.
Protect yourself: Pause before acting. Contact the family member directly using a trusted number and consider establishing a family “safe word” for emergencies.
Fraudsters often promise guaranteed or unusually high returns, especially involving cryptocurrency. A growing scheme known as “pig butchering” involves building trust over time before convincing victims to invest in fake crypto platforms that show fabricated profits.
Protect yourself: Be skeptical of guaranteed returns, pressure to act quickly or requests to move money into crypto or unfamiliar platforms.
Scammers frequently pose as banks, the IRS or other trusted organizations. These messages may claim there’s suspicious activity, unpaid taxes or an urgent problem requiring immediate action. AI tools now make these calls and messages more convincing.
Remember: Legitimate organizations will not ask for your password, secure access codes or demand payment through gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency.
Businesses and individuals are targeted through fraudulent emails and phishing attempts designed to capture login credentials or redirect payments. Once criminals gain access, they may transfer funds, change account details or request fraudulent wire transfers. This is commonly known as Account Takeover Fraud (ATO), to learn more about ATO Fraud, click here.
Protect yourself: Enable multi-factor authentication, verify payment changes verbally and monitor accounts regularly.
While fraud tactics continue to change, awareness remains one of the strongest defenses. Taking time to understand how common scams work and regularly monitoring your accounts can help reduce your risk.
If you believe your information has been compromised or you notice suspicious activity on your account, contact Bank Iowa right away so we can help review the situation and take action. You can also explore our fraud education resources to learn more about recognizing and preventing scams.