FTA Launches Annual “Smarter Than Scams” Campaign to Help Consumers Outsmart Scammers This Holiday Season

In partnership with Cash App, PayPal, and Venmo, the campaign empowers consumers to recognize evolving scams and highlights how fintech industry leaders protect people and payments from bad actors.

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, the Financial Technology Association (FTA) launched its annual Smarter Than Scams campaign to help consumers spot, avoid, and report scams during the holiday shopping season. As fraudsters deploy increasingly sophisticated tactics - from AI-generated voices to urgent payment requests - FTA’s national education campaign, in partnership with Cash App, PayPal, and Venmo, equips consumers with simple, effective steps to protect their money and stay ahead of scammers.

“Bad actors are getting more sophisticated every year, especially during the holiday season,” said Penny Lee, FTA’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “The good news is that staying safe doesn’t have to be complicated. Simple steps like pausing before you pay, questioning deals that seem too good to be true, and only sending money to people you know and trust can make all the difference. We’re proud to partner with Cash App, PayPal, and Venmo to make sure Americans have the tools they need to protect themselves and their money during the holiday season.”

"Millions of people trust Cash App every day to send money safely, and protecting them is our top priority,” said Brian Boates, Chief Risk Officer at Block. “Scammers are getting more sophisticated, using AI-generated voices and social media tactics to target people during the busy holiday season. That's why we've built smart defenses that work behind the scenes: real-time machine learning that helps spot suspicious activity, in-app alerts that give customers a chance to pause before sending money, and a customer-friendly reimbursement program. Through our technology-first approach, we're constantly improving our detection systems to stop bad actors while helping make sure legitimate payments go through smoothly. But technology alone isn't enough. With the Smarter Than Scams campaign, we're giving people the tools and knowledge they need to recognize scams and protect themselves this holiday season and beyond."

“Each year, PayPal and Venmo power nearly $2 trillion in worldwide digital commerce, reflecting the strong trust that consumers have placed in us to help safeguard their transactions and digital identity,” said Aaron J. Webster, Global Chief Risk Officer at PayPal. “As scammers adopt new tactics, we have moved from defense to offense by investing in advanced AI systems for continuous risk assessment across tens of billions of transactions and proactive alerts that shield customers from harm in real-time. Safety and trust are at the forefront of everything we do, and through collaborative initiatives like Smarter Than Scams, we are helping consumers stay informed, confident, and in control of their money.”

Each year, around the holidays, millions of Americans shop for gifts, look for deals, and donate to charities – making this time a prime window for scammers who respond by ramping up their efforts. One survey found that over 80% of U.S. adults reported being targeted by fraud associated with the holiday season.

Financial technology companies are helping consumers stay on top of the threat of scams through the Smarter Than Scams campaign — sharing timely tips, real-world scam examples, and safety reminders across apps, social media, and community channels to help people stay alert and pay it safe. The campaign spotlights the most common scams consumers face during the holidays, including charity, gift card, phishing, invoicing, pet deposit, and romance scams. It also reminds consumers of practical steps to outsmart bad actors:

1. Keep Your Guard Up – Use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and never share one-time codes or sign-in links.
2. Pause Before You Pay – Check messages in the official app or website, and be cautious with unexpected requests, even from familiar names.
3. Pay It Safe – Send money only to people or businesses you know and trust, monitor your accounts, and report suspicious activity directly in the platform you’re using.

FTA unites leading financial technology companies dedicated to preventing scams and protecting consumers. Members, including Cash App, PayPal, and Venmo, use AI-driven technology, real-time monitoring, and close collaboration with law enforcement to identify and address fraud trends. As fraud tactics evolve, FTA is urging federal policymakers to embrace digital solutions like AI, modernize regulatory requirements to reflect the digital age, and advance a coordinated national strategy to keep consumers safe.

For more information on how to stay safe from scams this holiday season, visit SmarterThanScams.com.

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The Financial Technology Association (FTA) is a network of fintech leaders shaping the future of finance. We champion the power of technology-driven financial services to catalyze innovation and advocate for modernized policies and regulations that reflect the digital transformation.