92NY outlines modern scams Tuesday as FTC, IC3 urge reports

The five rules to stay safe now

Rule 1: Slow down and independently verify. End urgent calls or chats, then contact the company or person using a phone number or channel you already trust. Verification must be out‑of‑band, never via the link, number, or QR code that reached out to you.

Rule 2: Strengthen authentication and passwords. Use unique, long passwords and enable multi‑factor authentication wherever available, prioritizing financial accounts, email, and cloud storage. If a service supports passkeys or app‑based codes, avoid SMS codes on high‑risk accounts.

Rule 3: Practice payment hygiene. Treat irreversible rails, wires, cryptocurrency transfers, and gift cards, like cash; once sent, recovery is often not possible. Be skeptical of anyone asking you to move funds off a regulated platform or to “verify” your wallet by sending a test payment.

Rule 4: Lock down devices and identity. Keep operating systems and apps updated, install only from official stores, and review app permissions. Consider account alerts, transaction limits, and privacy settings that reduce exposure if a credential is compromised.

Rule 5: Contain, document, and escalate. If you sense a scam, stop contact, save screenshots and transaction IDs, and record dates, times, numbers, and links. Detailed notes improve downstream reporting and the chances of timely intervention by your bank or platform.

Modern scams today: types and red flags

The 92NY Consumer Protection Tuesday program on modern scams emphasizes patterns over narratives: impostor calls, phishing emails and texts, investment and crypto schemes, romance approaches, and AI‑assisted voice or deepfake ruses typically push urgency, secrecy, and irreversible payment methods. The common thread is creating pressure to bypass normal verification and controls so a victim moves value quickly.

In coverage describing the same theme and audience focus, an industry recap headline captured the scope and intent: “Consumer Protection Tuesday: What We Learned About Modern Scams at 92NY: 5 Practical Rules to Stay Safe,” said Coinbase in a published summary.

Impostor and phishing attempts frequently spoof caller ID and brand logos, then route you to look‑alike portals to harvest credentials. Red flags include grammar anomalies, slightly altered domains, unexpected attachments, and any demand to keep the interaction secret from your bank or employer.

Investment and crypto fraud often dangles “guaranteed” returns, insider access, or limited‑time arbitrage, then migrates conversations to encrypted apps. Watch for pushy prompts to move assets off exchange, requests to pay fees before withdrawals, and complex “verification” steps designed to keep you engaged.

Payment‑app and gift‑card abuse repackages old techniques on new rails. If a supposed bank, utility, or government office insists on gift cards, cryptocurrency, or a peer‑to‑peer instant transfer to resolve an account issue, treat it as a high‑confidence red flag.

AI voice and deepfake scams can mimic a colleague, executive, or family member. Build a personal verification phrase with loved ones, and for workplace payments require secondary approvals on a separate channel before releasing funds.

Why fast action matters after a scam attempt

Speed narrows the window for fund movement and credential reuse. Banks and payment processors may attempt recalls or blocks, but outcomes depend on the rail, timing, and counterparty; wires and crypto are generally final once settled, while credit card disputes operate under card network rules and specific timeframes.

Immediate steps reduce downstream harm even if funds cannot be retrieved. Secure email and financial accounts by changing passwords and enabling stronger authentication, terminate active sessions, and scan devices for unauthorized access. Keep a precise timeline, including transaction IDs, wallet addresses, phone numbers, email headers, and the exact language used by the scammer.

At the time of this writing, based on world indices data, the S&P 500 stood at 6,890.07 (+0.77%) and the NASDAQ Composite at 22,863.68 (+1.04%). This market context does not alter response steps, but it underscores that scams often spike alongside volatility or headline noise.

How to report fraud: FTC, IC3, and your bank

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), reporting scams through its public portal helps investigators spot patterns across complaints and coordinate responses; include screenshots, receipts, and any correspondence to support the record. The agency notes that precise dates, amounts, and payment rails improve the utility of a report.

The FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) collects online crime reports involving internet‑enabled fraud, including social engineering and cryptocurrency‑related incidents. Submissions are routed to appropriate law‑enforcement partners, and accurate technical details, such as domains, wallet addresses, and IPs, aid deconfliction.

Notify your bank, card issuer, or platform as soon as you recognize a problem, using the number on the back of your card or the institution’s official app. While recovery is not guaranteed, early contact may enable holds, recalls, or dispute rights; clarify whether the transaction was authorized, as categories can affect available remedies.

For context on safeguards around digital assets custody, the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) has issued guidance addressing segregation of customers’ crypto assets from company property, reflecting a consumer‑protection focus that may inform how institutions handle risk and disclosures. This regulatory posture complements individual reporting by encouraging operational controls at the firms that move and safeguard funds.