[{"pubDate":"Tue, 16 Jun 2026 08:09:40 +0200","url":"https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/06/ftc-data-show-people-reported-losing-3-point-5-billion-imposter-scams-2025","titre":"FTC Data Show People Reported Losing $3.5 Billion to Imposter Scams in 2025","source":"Federal Trade Commission - Protecting America's Consumers","id":2959787,"description":"New data from the Federal Trade Commission reveal that people reported losing a staggering $3.5 billion to imposter scams in 2025, with reported losses increasing nearly three times since 2020. FTC data also show that people reported imposter scams more than any other fraud category in 2025—nearly one in three fraud reports were about imposter scams. These scams lured consumers through text, phone, email, social media, search engine results and other means. Some of the costliest impersonation scams start with a fake security alert, often from a bank. People are convinced to move money to “protect” it, with their losses often limited only by their available funds. Last year, people reported losing nearly $1 billion to business impersonators with the highest reported losses to bank impersonators—and about $920 million to government impersonators, up from $866 million and $789 million respectively in 2024. The FTC has seen a striking increase in reported fraud losses to all types of fraud—about $16 billion was reported lost in 2025, the highest on record and an increase of about 25% compared to the 2024 figure. “Consumers derive enormous benefits from competitive markets built on truthful information. But fraud undermines that foundation, impeding the market process and preventing markets from operating efficiently,” said Christopher Mufarrige, Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection. “The FTC will use every tool available to combat one of the most pernicious forms of fraud—government and business impersonation—and to protect the integrity of the digital economy.” The data underscore the importance of the FTC’s work with the  Elder Justice Coordinating Council (EJCC) , which is working to help raise awareness of imposter scams and other scams impacting older adults as well as other consumers. This year, the FTC, along with the Department of Justice, Department of Health and Human Services and members of the EJCC, is leading the Never Ever campaign, a public-private coordinated consumer education effort to raise awareness of government and business imposter scams. In addition to the federal agency members of the EJCC , the campaign also includes private sector representatives such as the American Bankers Association, USTelecom, Google and Microsoft. To help the public spot imposter scams, EJCC members launched the Never Ever campaign, which is aimed at promoting messaging on the key actions that government and businesses will Never Ever take. The Never Ever campaign will run from June 15 to June 26, in conjunction with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. This first-of-its-kind public-private partnership includes participants from a wide range of organizations and is aimed at directing consumers to a website that includes information and resources to help them avoid imposter scams and what to do if they spot one. Enforcement Actions To help combat impersonation scams, the FTC in 2024 finalized the Impersonation Rule. The Rule gives the agency stronger tools to combat and deter scammers who impersonate government agencies and businesses, enabling the FTC to file federal court cases seeking to get money back to injured consumers and civil penalties against rule violators. Since then, the FTC has vigorously enforced the rule and brought a dozen enforcement actions that have resulted in halting imposter schemes and obtained over $70 million in redress for consumers. In 2025, the FTC brought law enforcement actions under the Impersonation Rule against:  American Tax Service (IRS imposter scheme);  MediaAlpha (government imposter scheme to sell health insurance);  Click Profit (business imposter money making scam);  Blackstone Legal (phantom debt business imposter scheme) and  Accelerated Debt Settlement (government and business imposter scheme that targeted older adults for debt relief). More recently, the  FTC filed a complaint against Innovative Partners in April 2026 , alleging the operators"},{"description":"Key Drivers Behind the Rising Demand for Virtual CISOs Wednesday, April 22,2026 Businesses are navigating the challenges of a digital-first environment, which is driving an increased demand for expert-driven cybersecurity solutions. The virtual chief information security officer (vCISO) has become essential for organizations seeking to enhance their cybersecurity resilience while managing costs effectively. Effective security leadership is more crucial than ever, particularly in light of the evolving threat landscape, which includes ransomware attacks and data breaches. Addressing Cybersecurity Challenges Organizations face a significant escalation in cyberattacks as hackers continually evolve their tactics. This dynamic landscape makes it challenging for businesses to maintain effective defenses. A vCISO plays a pivotal role by providing specialized guidance in threat intelligence, risk management, and incident response. By working with a vCISO, companies can proactively identify vulnerabilities and implement comprehensive security frameworks tailored to their needs. This partnership empowers organizations to build stronger defenses against the rising tide of cyber threats. Compliance with various regulations remains a formidable hurdle for many businesses. Non-compliance can incur severe penalties and damage reputations, prompting the need for expert oversight. A vCISO helps organizations navigate complex regulatory landscapes and ensures ongoing assessments and strategic roadmaps to meet compliance needs. By implementing best practices aligned with the latest standards, businesses can mitigate risks and enhance their security posture. A Cost-Effective Solution for Security Leadership Hiring a full-time chief information security officer can be a significant financial burden, especially for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) with limited resources. A vCISO offers a cost-effective alternative, providing high-level security expertise without the expenses associated with a permanent hire. Organizations can customize vCISO services, enabling them to pay only for the cybersecurity guidance they require, thus allowing for more efficient allocation of resources. The digital transformation driven by adopting technologies like cloud computing, remote work, and the Internet of Things has further amplified the need for vCISOs. These advancements expand attack surfaces, making traditional security approaches insufficient. A vCISO aids organizations in implementing modern cybersecurity frameworks, ensuring robust data protection across various environments, including cloud services and remote workforces. Additionally, the ongoing shortage of cybersecurity professionals enhances the appeal of vCISOs. Many companies struggle to find and retain in-house talent, but a vCISO can provide immediate access to seasoned security experts with extensive industry knowledge. This accessibility allows businesses to improve their security strategy without the delays associated with lengthy hiring processes. The flexibility and scalability offered by vCISO services make them suitable for organizations of all sizes. Whether a startup outlines its initial cybersecurity strategy or an established firm seeks ongoing risk assessments, vCISOs can deliver tailored security solutions that effectively address specific business objectives.","id":2852311,"source":"The Cybersecurity Review Europe","url":"https://www.thecybersecurityrevieweurope.com/news/key-drivers-behind-the-rising-demand-for-virtual-cisos--nwid-1282.html","titre":"Read more","pubDate":"Tue, 28 Apr 2026 10:47:09 +0200"},{"url":"https://www.edpb.europa.eu/news/news/2026/marking-10-years-gdpr-evolution-european-data-protection-landscape_en","titre":"Marking 10 years of the GDPR: the evolution of the European data protection landscape","pubDate":"Mon, 27 Apr 2026 14:14:32 +0200","description":"Brussels, 27 April – Today marks the 10th anniversary of the GDPR’s adoption, the first comprehensive data protection framework spanning an entire continent, establishing clear rights for individuals and obligations for organisations across Europe. The moment that led to the creation of the EDPB The GDPR led to the establishment of the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) on 25 May 2018, replacing the Article 29 Working Party that was previously in charge of dealing with issues relating to the protection of personal data. The GDPR gave the Data Protection Authorities (DPAs) stronger enforcement powers and expanded the scope of their work from focusing mainly on national compliance complaints to routinely dealing with cross-border cases. In the past 10 years, the 31 European DPAs comprising the EDPB have worked together to ensure the consistent enforcement of the GDPR and a harmonised data protection approach across Europe.   A key role in an evolving digital landscape Today, the GDPR is part of a broader and evolving European digital framework, alongside other digital laws such as the Digital Services Act, the Digital Markets Act, and the AI Act . In a world shaped by artificial intelligence, platform economies, and increasing data-driven innovation, the GDPR ensures that technological progress goes hand in hand with the protection of individuals’ fundamental rights . An inspiration for the rest of the world The impact of the GDPR has extended far beyond Europe’s borders, inspiring similar frameworks across the globe and contributing to a growing international recognition of privacy as a fundamental right .   How the GDPR has shaped the data protection landscape: insights from Data Protection Authorities Have you ever wondered what the data protection landscape looked like before the GDPR and how DPAs prepared for its entry into force? How has life for Europeans changed since its adoption? Watch the video for insights and testimonies from Data Protection Authorities which contributed to the shaping of the data protection landscape in Europe.   Sorry, your browser doesn't support embedded","id":2850552,"source":"EDPB News"}]