Posts

How to Recognize and Fight Back Against This Year’s Top Scams Every year, scammers refine their tactics, using new technologies and current events to trick people out of money and personal information. Staying ahead of these schemes is a constant challenge. Recently, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to highlight the latest scam trends that are currently impacting consumers. While the full details are covered in their session, understanding the overarching themes can give you a powerful advantage in protecting yourself and your family. ...

Your Annual Check-Up for Digital Self-Defense is Here National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) rolls around every March, and while it might not have the fanfare of a major holiday, it’s arguably more important for your financial health. For 2026, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is once again leading the charge, turning a spotlight on the practical steps you can take to guard your money and personal information. Think of it less as a bureaucratic observance and more as your annual reminder to audit your digital safety habits. ...

Spotting Parking Ticket Scams: A New Warning for Drivers If you receive a text or email demanding immediate payment for a parking ticket you don’t remember getting, pause before you click. Law enforcement officials are warning of a new wave of sophisticated parking violation scams designed to trick drivers into paying fines that don’t exist. ...

How to Recognize the Scams Targeting You Right Now Each year, scammers refine their tactics, exploiting new technologies and current events to catch people off guard. Recently, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a series of public webinars to shed light on these evolving threats. The sessions provided a clear look at the methods fraudsters are using in 2026 and, crucially, how you can defend yourself. ...

Your Guide to National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Practical Steps to Fight Fraud National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is here again, running from March 1-7, 2026. While it’s a coordinated campaign led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), its real value lies in what you do with it. This week is less about observance and more about action—a dedicated time to audit your personal defenses against the relentless waves of scams, fraud, and identity theft. This guide cuts through the noise to give you clear, practical ways to protect yourself, using the excellent (and free) resources the FTC provides. ...

How to Spot and Stop the Latest Scams: Essential Tips for Consumers Intro Every time you check your email, answer a call, or scroll through social media, you’re potentially interacting with a scammer. The tactics are constantly changing, becoming more sophisticated and harder to detect. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar during National Consumer Protection Week to shed light on the latest trends. Instead of focusing on the agency itself, let’s break down what they highlighted and, more importantly, what you can do about it. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Current Scam Threats The landscape of fraud is constantly shifting, with scammers refining old tricks and inventing new ones to catch us off guard. Staying informed is the first, and perhaps most crucial, line of defense. During a recent National Consumer Protection Week webinar, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) shed light on the latest trends they’re seeing, offering vital insights to help you protect your wallet and your identity. ...

Why Reporting a Scam is Just as Important as Avoiding One We often focus on how to spot and avoid scams—and for good reason. But what happens after a scam attempt, successful or not, is just as critical. Recent alerts from organizations like AARP Virginia highlight a relentless wave of fraud, from IRS impostors to sophisticated travel and product recall schemes. These alerts consistently carry one crucial piece of advice beyond mere vigilance: report it. ...

Fraud Alerts vs. Credit Freezes: What You Need to Know to Protect Your Identity If you’re worried about someone opening a credit card or loan in your name, you’re right to be concerned. Identity theft remains a persistent threat, but thankfully, you have two powerful, free tools provided by law to guard your credit: fraud alerts and credit freezes. ...

The New Scams in Your Inbox and How to Sidestep Them Keeping up with scam artists can feel like a full-time job. Just as we learn to spot one scheme, a new, more convincing one takes its place. Recently, during National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar to shed light on the latest tactics fraudsters are using. The goal wasn’t to scare consumers, but to arm them with knowledge. The trends highlighted show a clear shift toward digital impersonation and exploiting current events to create a false sense of urgency. ...