Payment Apps Team Up To Fight A New Wave of Fraud

The Financial Technology Association is launching an urgent holiday push as scammers deploy AI-generated messages, deepfakes, and payment schemes to target consumers during peak shopping and giving season.

Industry partners including Cash App, PayPal, and Venmo have united behind the Smarter Than Scams campaign, which focuses on simple, proactive steps people can take to avoid fraud. In a media tour, FTA communications head Miranda Margowsky outlined the biggest red flags this year, from fake charity solicitations to payment app impersonations, and shared how fintech firms are increasing protections through improved detection and cross-platform collaboration. 

Margowsky noted that modern fraud tools are catching suspicious behavior earlier, giving users stronger safeguards without adding friction to their everyday transactions. The initiative reinforces a broader industry message: scammers are becoming more sophisticated, but so are the systems designed to stop them. Consumers can stay safer by remaining alert, understanding common tactics, and using the enhanced security features built into today’s payment apps.

Full story: Smarter Than Scams