InfoCons Consumer Protection Representative is attending the Meeting On Combating Online Scams , Organised by Consumers International
Today, 23 June 2026, an InfoCons representative is participating in the international “Member Connect” session organised by Consumers International, held online, with the main topic focused on combating fraud and scams in the digital environment and strengthening consumer protection against constantly evolving online threats.
The event brings together representatives of consumer protection organisations from around the world, consumer rights experts, public policy specialists, researchers and decision-makers involved in developing effective mechanisms to prevent and combat online scams.
During the meeting, Consumers International’s latest publication, entitled “Stopping Online Scams: Building Consistency and Coordination for Consumers”, is being presented. The report analyses how different states and jurisdictions respond to the phenomenon of digital scams and identifies measures that can contribute to increasing the level of consumer protection.
Online Scams – One of the Greatest Challenges of the Digital Age
The digital transformation of society has fundamentally changed the way consumers communicate, shop, make payments and access services. E-commerce, digital platforms and mobile applications have created unprecedented opportunities for economic development and for facilitating access to products and services.
At the same time, however, digitalisation has also created a favourable environment for the emergence of new forms of fraud and deception.
Today, online scams represent one of the most widespread threats to consumers globally. Modern technologies allow criminals to operate quickly, across borders and on a large scale, taking advantage of the vulnerabilities of digital systems and users’ trust.
According to the latest research carried out within the Coalition to Fight Online Scams, 69% of member organisations reported a continued increase in online scams, confirming that the phenomenon is far from being under control and requires coordinated action at international level.
Moreover, specialists warn that the methods used by scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, while the emergence of generative artificial intelligence provides new tools that can be used to create highly convincing messages, images, videos or false identities.
What Do Online Scams Look Like Today?
Digital scams are no longer limited to the classic suspicious emails promising quick financial gains. Today, consumers face a wide variety of fraudulent methods, constantly adapted to new technological trends.
Among the most common types of online scams are:
• fraudulent messages sent by SMS, email or messaging applications;
• theft of banking data and personal information;
• fake websites imitating legitimate online stores;
• fictitious investments promoted through social media;
• romance scams;
• fake job offers;
• phone calls in which criminals pretend to represent public institutions or well-known companies;
• scams based on artificial intelligence and deepfake technology;
• scams related to cryptocurrencies and digital investments.
In many situations, consumers lose more than just money. They may lose access to accounts, important documents or personal data, while the emotional impact can be significant. Feelings of insecurity and loss of trust in the digital environment are consequences affecting millions of people worldwide.
The “Stopping Online Scams” Report – A Broad International Analysis
The report presented during the meeting analyses the situation across 28 jurisdictions and examines the extent to which states and actors involved in the digital ecosystem have implemented effective mechanisms to protect consumers.
The document highlights both the progress made in recent years and the differences that exist between various regions of the world.
Among the aspects analysed are:
• the responsibility of digital platforms;
• the obligations of online service providers;
• mechanisms for reporting and removing fraudulent content;
• cooperation between authorities and the private sector;
• consumer education and information measures;
• recovery of losses suffered by victims;
• international exchange of information on online scams.
One of the important conclusions of the report is that online scams cannot be effectively tackled through isolated actions. A coordinated approach is needed between governments, regulatory authorities, digital platforms, financial institutions and consumer protection organisations.
Why Is This Session Important for Consumer Organisations?
The meeting offers participants the opportunity to analyse concrete examples of how different states respond to the challenges generated by online scams.
At the same time, Consumers International members can identify solutions that have proven effective in other jurisdictions and assess the possibility of adapting them at local level.
The event aims to create a space for dialogue and exchange of experience between consumer organisations, so that actions carried out at national level can contribute to building a coherent global strategy for protecting consumers in the digital environment.
Participants benefit from:
• up-to-date information on global trends in online scams;
• examples of good practices applied in different states;
• opportunities for collaboration between member organisations;
• perspectives on the evolution of legislation and public policies;
• tools that can support consumer information and education activities.
Confirmed Speakers of the Event
The session brings together internationally recognised experts in the field of consumer rights and consumer protection in the digital environment.
Among the confirmed speakers are:
• Delicia Hand – Senior Director, Digital Marketplace, Consumer Reports, United States of America;
• Fiorentina García Miramón – Executive Director, Tec-Check, Mexico;
• Andrea Vega Talledo – Policy and Programme Specialist, Digital Consumer Rights, Consumers International;
• Nandini Harihareswara – Director, Fair Digital Finance, Consumers International, moderator of the session.
Their professional experience covers areas such as consumer protection in the digital economy, regulation of online platforms, combating financial scams and developing consumer-oriented public policies.
Signature: InfoCons Communication Department
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