Cybersecurity

What the FTC Wants You to Know About the Latest Scam Surge National Consumer Protection Week is designed to empower people with information, and a recent Federal Trade Commission (FTC) webinar served as a critical briefing on the current scam landscape. The session highlighted how fraudsters are refining old tricks and deploying new ones, capitalizing on technology and current events to separate people from their money. While the tactics evolve, the core goal remains the same: to create a sense of urgency, fear, or opportunity that overrides our better judgment. ...

New iPhone Scam Uses Fake Alerts to Target Bank Accounts Security experts are sounding the alarm about a sophisticated new scam specifically targeting iPhone users, designed to trick them into handing over access to their banking apps and sensitive financial information. Reports indicate this scheme can lead to drained accounts if users fall for its convincing tactics. Understanding how this scam works is the first step to ensuring your money stays safe. ...

How to Spot and Stop the Latest Scams: A Guide from Consumer Alerts During National Consumer Protection Week, regulators like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ramp up efforts to inform the public. A recent FTC webinar underscored a critical point: while the core goals of scammers remain the same—to steal money and personal information—their methods are constantly evolving. Staying informed about these trends isn’t just helpful; it’s a necessary part of modern financial and digital safety. ...

A Warning About Investment Scams on Facebook and Instagram If you spend any time on Facebook or Instagram, you’ve likely seen them: ads or posts promising unbelievable investment returns with little to no risk. A recent official warning urges you to view these offers with extreme skepticism. ...

How to Spot and Stop Gift Card Scams: A Consumer Guide If someone demands payment via a gift card, it is almost certainly a scam. That’s the unequivocal warning from the District of Columbia Attorney General, Brian Schwalb, in a recent consumer alert. His office is urging residents to be vigilant, as fraudsters continue to exploit gift cards as a preferred tool for theft. ...

New Scams Are Getting More Convincing—Here’s How to Stay Safe Every day, our inboxes, text threads, and phone lines are flooded with messages. Most are harmless, but an increasing number are carefully crafted traps designed to steal money and personal information. Scammers are relentless innovators, constantly refining their tactics to exploit our trust and urgency. During a recent National Consumer Protection Week webinar, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) highlighted the latest evolution of these schemes, providing a crucial snapshot of what to watch for right now. ...

Spot the Scam: The FTC’s Latest Warning on What to Watch For Scammers are relentless, but their tactics aren’t always new—they’re just constantly repackaged to exploit our trust and daily routines. During a recent National Consumer Protection Week webinar, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) shed light on the current scam landscape, emphasizing how familiar cons have evolved to catch even the cautious off guard. For anyone who shops online, checks their email, or answers their phone, understanding these trends isn’t just helpful; it’s a necessary part of digital life. ...

A Persistent Threat: Understanding and Avoiding Gift Card Scams In our digital age, gift cards have become a staple of convenience for gifting and personal spending. Unfortunately, their very features—ease of purchase and use—have also made them a top tool for fraudsters. A recent consumer alert issued by the District of Columbia Attorney General, Brian Schwalb, underscores a troubling and ongoing trend: gift card scams remain a highly effective way for criminals to steal money quickly and irreversibly. This warning serves as a critical reminder for all consumers, regardless of location, to sharpen their awareness. ...

Your Guide to National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Spotting Scams and Securing Your Data Every March, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leads National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), a nationwide campaign dedicated to arming people with the knowledge they need to avoid fraud and manage their money safely. As we approach NCPW 2026, the landscape of scams continues to shift, making this annual reminder more crucial than ever. This isn’t about fear; it’s about practical empowerment. By understanding the latest tactics and solidifying a few key habits, you can significantly reduce your risk and shop, bank, and browse with greater confidence. ...

Scammers Are Refining Their Playbook: Here’s What the FTC Wants You to Know This past March, during National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a timely webinar to outline the latest tactics scammers are using to separate people from their money. While the specific details of the 2026 webinar are not fully public, the FTC’s focus during these events consistently zeroes in on the most pervasive and evolving threats. The core message is always the same: awareness is your first and best line of defense. ...