Consumer Protection

Protecting Your Money on Venmo, Cash App, and PayPal A Practical Guide to Avoiding Common Digital Payment Scams The convenience of digital payment apps like Venmo, Cash App, and PayPal is undeniable. Splitting a dinner bill or paying a friend back is now instantaneous. However, as their use has surged, so have the scams targeting their users. Recently, the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection issued an alert highlighting this growing threat. Criminals are exploiting the speed and perceived informality of these transactions to trick people out of their money, often with little recourse for recovery. ...

Key Takeaways from the FTC’s Latest Scam Alert Webinar During National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a public webinar to outline the most pressing fraud threats facing consumers today. The session served as a timely reminder that while the digital landscape evolves, so do the tactics of scammers. The goal was clear: to turn awareness into action by providing the public with the latest information on how scams are changing and what they can do about it. ...

How to Spot and Stop the Latest Scams: A Guide from the FTC Every year, scammers refine their tactics, creating new schemes and repackaging old ones to catch people off guard. During this year’s National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to spotlight the most current and pressing fraud trends targeting consumers today. This update isn’t just bureaucratic news; it’s a crucial heads-up on what traps to avoid right now. By understanding how these scams work, you can better protect your finances and personal information. ...

National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Your Guide to Fighting Fraud Every year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leads National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) to provide practical advice on how you can outsmart scammers and protect your money and personal information. While the exact details of the 2026 campaign will be outlined by the FTC in March, the core mission remains constant: empowering you with the knowledge to spot fraud and take action. The weeks leading up to NCPW are a perfect time to revisit your defenses. ...

Your Practical Guide to National Consumer Protection Week 2026 Every March, a nationwide effort takes place to empower you against fraud. National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is a coordinated campaign led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and a coalition of partners. It’s a dedicated time to highlight your consumer rights and provide the tools you need to spot, avoid, and report scams. ...

The New Scam Playbook: What Fraudsters Are Trying Now Every day, scams become more sophisticated, blending into our digital routines. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar during National Consumer Protection Week to shed light on the latest tactics criminals are using. While the exact details of every emerging scam shift constantly, the patterns and psychological tricks remain consistent. Understanding these patterns is your best defense. ...

What National Consumer Protection Week 2026 Means for Your Digital Safety National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is more than a calendar event; it’s a concentrated effort led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and partners to empower you with the knowledge to fight fraud. Scheduled for early March 2026, NCPW 2026 serves as a critical reminder that consumer protection is a year-round need, especially in our increasingly digital lives. The week focuses on education, providing free resources and events designed to help you spot scams, secure your data, and understand your rights. This year’s initiative continues a long-standing tradition of tackling pressing issues, with digital safety, identity theft, and evolving fraud tactics taking center stage. ...

What to Watch Out For: The FTC’s Latest Scam Alert and How to Protect Yourself Every year, scammers refine their tactics, and keeping up can feel like a full-time job. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar during National Consumer Protection Week to shed light on the latest schemes catching people off guard. While the specific webinar details aren’t fully public, the FTC’s ongoing alerts and data paint a clear picture of the current threat landscape. By understanding these trends, you can build a stronger defense for your wallet and your personal information. ...

Fraud Alert vs. Credit Freeze: Which One Actually Protects Your Credit? Worrying about identity theft has become a standard part of modern financial life. Whether you’ve received a data breach notice or just want to be proactive, locking down your credit is a smart move. But the terminology can be confusing. Two of the most common tools—fraud alerts and credit freezes—sound similar but work very differently. Choosing the right one depends on your situation. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know for Consumer Protection Week 2026 Every March, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leads National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), a dedicated time to arm the public with knowledge against fraud. For 2026, the message remains urgent: scams are not only persistent but are constantly evolving. The digital landscape offers incredible convenience, but it also presents new opportunities for criminals. This year’s focus is on translating awareness into action, providing clear steps you can take to protect your money and personal information. ...