Consumer Safety

How to Spot and Stop the Newest Scams: Advice from the FTC In early March, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission hosted a public webinar to spotlight the scam tactics that are fooling people right now. The discussion served as a crucial reminder that while the core goals of fraud—stealing money and personal information—remain constant, the methods are continually evolving. Staying a step ahead requires knowing what to look for. ...

A Fraud Alert Just Went Statewide. Here’s What It Means for You. If you live in Pennsylvania, you may have seen headlines this week about a statewide consumer fraud alert. Issued by the Philadelphia Courts on March 13, 2026, this official notice is a stark reminder that scams targeting everyday citizens are not only persistent but actively evolving. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams Scammers are constantly refining their tactics, and keeping up can feel like a full-time job. Fortunately, during the recent National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar to spotlight the latest and most pervasive threats. The goal wasn’t to spread fear, but to provide a clear-eyed look at the current landscape so you can defend yourself. Here’s a breakdown of the key scam trends they highlighted and, most importantly, what you can do about them. ...

Pennsylvania Courts Warn of Rising Scams: Here’s How to Protect Yourself A recent alert from the Philadelphia Courts has put Pennsylvania residents on notice. The court system has issued a statewide consumer fraud alert, signaling an active increase in deceptive schemes targeting individuals. While the official notice doesn’t detail every specific scam, it serves as a critical reminder that fraudsters are constantly updating their tactics to steal money and personal information. For the average person, this isn’t about legal procedure; it’s a call to sharpen your everyday defenses. ...

Your Guide to National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Spot Scams and Secure Your Information Every year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) spearheads National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), a dedicated time to empower people with the knowledge they need to avoid fraud and make informed decisions. As we approach NCPW 2026 (March 1-7), the focus remains sharply on the evolving landscape of scams that target consumers daily. ...

Beyond the Hype: Practical Scam Prevention Tips from the Experts Every day, consumers face a barrage of sophisticated attempts to separate them from their money or personal information. While scams constantly evolve, the core tactics and your best defenses often remain consistent. Recent guidance from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), highlighted during National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), provides a timely refresher on these essential protections. This isn’t about fear; it’s about building practical habits that make you a harder target. ...

A Court Alert Is a Signal to Strengthen Your Scams Defense A recent statewide consumer fraud alert, issued by the Philadelphia Courts, serves as an important reminder: scammers frequently impersonate government and legal authorities. While the specific details of the March 2026 alert are best obtained directly from the official Philadelphia Courts website for complete accuracy, such notices typically warn about criminals posing as court officials, deputies, or clerks to steal money and personal information. ...

A Statewide Fraud Alert: What It Means for Your Wallet and Safety If you live in Pennsylvania, state courts want you to pay closer attention to your mailbox, email, and phone. Recently, the Philadelphia Courts issued a statewide consumer fraud alert. While the full details of the specific scams prompting this warning aren’t publicly elaborated in the brief announcement, a formal alert from a court system is a significant signal. It means officials are seeing patterns of fraud that are concerning enough to warrant a broad public warning. For consumers, it’s a call to refresh your knowledge on how to spot and stop attempts to steal your money or identity. ...

Scammers Are Getting Sneakier: The Latest Tricks and How to Fight Back If you’ve ever felt a pang of suspicion when a text from your “bank” pops up, or hesitated at an urgent email from a “service you use,” you’re not alone. Scams are a constant background noise in our digital lives. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) turned up the volume on this conversation. During National Consumer Protection Week, they hosted a webinar specifically to dissect the latest scam trends targeting people right now. ...

What Pennsylvania’s Latest Fraud Alert Means for You Earlier this month, a noteworthy warning came from an official source: the Philadelphia Courts issued a statewide consumer fraud alert. While the court system’s specific, internal bulletin isn’t publicly published in full, the issuance of such an alert is a significant signal. It means that authorities are seeing concerning patterns of scams targeting residents, prompting a formal call for heightened vigilance. ...