How to Report a Scam: A Step-by-Step Guide (From AARP’s Fraud Experts) If a scammer calls, emails, or shows up at your door, your first instinct may be to just hang up and move on. That’s understandable. But reporting the scam is one of the most effective things you can do—not just for yourself, but for your neighbors and for law enforcement trying to stop these crimes. ...
How Extended Fraud Alerts Can Protect Your Finances—and Even Boost Your Credit If you’ve been a victim of identity theft, one of the first things you’re told is to place a fraud alert on your credit file. It’s a sensible step: it warns lenders to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name. What’s less obvious is that this simple precaution may also have an unexpected side effect—improving your credit score. ...
What Are ‘Pig Butchering’ Scams? How to Spot and Avoid This Investment Fraud New York Attorney General Letitia James recently issued a consumer alert warning New Yorkers about a sophisticated type of fraud known as “pig butchering.” The term may sound strange, but the damage is very real: victims have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars—sometimes their entire savings—to these scams. If you use dating apps, social media, or even LinkedIn, it’s worth understanding how this scheme works and how to protect yourself. ...
FTC Webinar Scam Trends: What Consumers Should Know Each year during National Consumer Protection Week (the first full week of March), the Federal Trade Commission releases new data on the fraud landscape. This year’s webinar zeroed in on the scams consumers are most likely to encounter right now—and how to spot them before it’s too late. ...
What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams Staying ahead of scammers can feel like a full-time job. Just as you learn to spot one trick, they invent a new one. That’s why the information shared during National Consumer Protection Week is so valuable. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar to spotlight the latest scam trends, providing a crucial update on what fraudsters are pushing now and how you can defend yourself. ...
What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams Staying ahead of scammers is a constant challenge. Their tactics shift with technology and current events, making yesterday’s advice sometimes insufficient for today’s threats. During a recent National Consumer Protection Week webinar, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) highlighted the evolving landscape of fraud, offering crucial insights to help consumers guard their wallets and personal information. Understanding these trends isn’t about fostering fear; it’s about building practical awareness. ...
How to Spot and Stop the Latest Scams: Insights from the FTC If it feels like you’re hearing about more scams than ever, you’re not imagining it. Fraudsters are constantly refining their tactics, but the good news is that the patterns they follow are often recognizable. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar during National Consumer Protection Week to shed light on the latest trends. While the specific stories change, the underlying strategies remain frustratingly consistent. Here’s a breakdown of what they highlighted and, more importantly, what you can do about it. ...
What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams Last month, during National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a public webinar to shed light on the most pressing scam threats facing consumers right now. The session provided a clear-eyed look at how fraud is evolving and, more importantly, how you can defend yourself. While the tactics may change, the core principles of protection remain vital. ...
What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Scams Last week, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a public webinar to shed light on the most pressing fraud threats facing consumers right now. These events are designed to cut through the noise and provide clear, actionable intelligence directly from the agency that tracks millions of consumer complaints each year. ...
What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams During National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to shed light on the most pressing scam trends affecting people right now. The goal wasn’t to scare consumers, but to arm them with knowledge. As fraudsters refine their tactics, understanding their current playbook is your first and best line of defense. ...