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What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Scams During National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted an important webinar to spotlight the latest methods scammers are using to part people from their money. These events are a key part of the agency’s mission, offering timely insights directly from the frontline of fraud prevention. While specific details of the latest webinar are often summarized by reporting organizations like ACA International, the overarching message is consistent: scammers are endlessly inventive, but knowing their current playbook is your best defense. ...

Don’t Be a “Fat Pig”: How to Spot and Stop Pig Butchering Scams A practical guide to recognizing—and escaping—this cruel, long-con investment fraud. Introduction You receive a friendly, seemingly accidental message from a stranger on social media, a dating app, or even SMS. The conversation flows naturally, a connection forms over weeks, and trust builds. Then, they mention an incredible investment opportunity. This is the start of a “pig butchering” scam, a brutally effective fraud named for the practice of fattening a pig before slaughter. The scammer “fattens” your trust before financially butchering you. ...

Your 2026 Guide to Fraud Prevention: Making the Most of National Consumer Protection Week National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is more than just an annual calendar event. For consumers, it represents a crucial, concentrated opportunity to learn and fortify their defenses against an evolving landscape of fraud. In 2026, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is once again leading the charge, providing resources and guidance to help you secure your finances and personal information. This week is a perfect time to pause and take stock of your digital safety, using expert tools to build habits that last all year. ...

Staying Ahead of Scammers: Key Trends from the FTC’s Latest Briefing Every day, we’re inundated with texts, emails, and calls. Most are legitimate, but some are carefully crafted traps. Keeping up with how these traps are being set is the first step to avoiding them. Recently, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to shed light on the most current and pressing scam trends. The insights are a crucial update for anyone who uses a phone, email, or the internet—which is to say, all of us. ...

What Are Pig Butchering Scams, and How Can You Avoid Them? You receive a friendly, seemingly accidental message on social media or a dating app. The conversation flows easily, trust builds over weeks or even months, and eventually, your new “friend” shares an incredible investment opportunity. This slow-burn con is known as a “pig butchering” scam, and authorities are sounding the alarm. New York Attorney General Letitia James recently issued a consumer alert specifically warning residents about this sophisticated fraud. Understanding its mechanics is your first line of defense. ...

National Consumer Protection Week 2026: A Practical Guide to Scam-Proofing Your Year National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is here again. Organized by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), this annual event in March is more than just a calendar note; it’s a concentrated opportunity to reset your personal defenses against fraud. For 2026, the core message remains vital: understanding current scams and building stronger habits is your best protection. This isn’t about temporary vigilance but integrating smarter practices into your daily digital life. ...

Spot and Stop New Scams: Essential Tips from Consumer Protection Week Every year, National Consumer Protection Week serves as a crucial reminder to stay vigilant against fraud. This March, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to shed light on the latest scam trends, providing a timely update on what tricks fraudsters are using now and how you can protect yourself. ...

Don’t Get Tricked: How to Spot Today’s Top Scams Every day, scams get a little more sophisticated. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently held a webinar highlighting the latest trends, and the message is clear: scammers are refining their tactics, but you can still defend yourself. By understanding how these schemes work now, you can protect your money and your identity more effectively. ...

Watch Out for That Parking Ticket: A New Scam Is Targeting Drivers You return to your car and see it: a parking violation notice tucked under your windshield wiper. Or perhaps a text message or email arrives, demanding immediate payment for a parking fine to avoid additional penalties. Your first instinct might be to pay it quickly and move on. But a new consumer alert warns that scammers are exploiting this very instinct, creating convincing fake violations to steal money and personal information. ...

What National Consumer Protection Week Means for Your Digital Safety For one week every March, a spotlight shines on the scams, frauds, and privacy pitfalls that can trip up consumers. That’s the purpose of National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), an annual campaign led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). With NCPW 2026 on the horizon, the event serves as a timely reminder to review your defenses and understand the threats that are actively targeting wallets and identities. It’s not just about awareness; it’s about equipping yourself with practical steps that work year-round. ...