Cybersecurity

Your Guide to Staying Safer During National Consumer Protection Week 2026 Every year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leads National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) to arm people with knowledge against scams and fraud. For 2026, the message remains critically important: a few practical habits can significantly strengthen your defenses. This week isn’t about fear; it’s about empowerment through simple, actionable steps you can start using today. ...

The New Face of Fraud: What the FTC Wants You to Watch For Last week, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to shed light on the most current and pervasive scams targeting consumers. The core message was clear: while the classic schemes haven’t disappeared, the methods scammers use to execute them are becoming more sophisticated, personalized, and difficult to detect. ...

New York’s Top Lawyer Warns of “Pig Butchering” Scams: How to Protect Yourself In a recent official warning, New York Attorney General Letitia James alerted the public to a sophisticated and cruel online fraud known as “pig butchering.” The name, derived from a grim metaphor, describes how scammers “fatten up” a victim with trust and affection before “slaughtering” them financially. This advisory highlights a disturbing trend that capitalizes on loneliness and the promise of easy wealth, leaving victims both heartbroken and bankrupt. Understanding this scam is your first line of defense. ...

The “Pig Butchering” Scam: A Disturbing New Twist on Financial Fraud You receive a friendly, seemingly accidental message on social media, WhatsApp, or a dating app. The person on the other end is charming, engaging, and over weeks or months, builds a genuine-seeming connection. They talk about life, family, and eventually, a fantastic investment opportunity that has made them significant wealth. They want to help you do the same. ...

Your Guide to Staying Ahead of Scams in 2026 The Federal Trade Commission has officially kicked off planning for National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026. While the full slate of events is still being organized, this annual initiative serves as a critical reminder and resource hub for everyone navigating an increasingly complex digital world. It’s a coordinated effort between government agencies and consumer advocates to provide the tools you need to protect your money, data, and privacy. ...

The Latest Scam Playbook: What Fraudsters Are Pushing Now Every year, scammers refine their tactics, finding new ways to exploit trust and urgency. During a recent National Consumer Protection Week webinar, officials from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) highlighted the latest trends they’re seeing in consumer fraud. While we can’t replay the entire session, understanding these patterns is crucial for staying ahead of the threats. Based on the FTC’s ongoing alerts and the themes of such events, here’s what you need to watch for and how to protect yourself. ...

Don’t Get Tricked: The Latest Scam Trends You Need to Know About Every day, scammers refine their tactics, making it harder to tell a legitimate offer from a clever trap. Staying ahead of them requires knowing what to look for. Recently, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to highlight the current scam landscape. Their insights provide a crucial snapshot of the most pressing threats targeting consumers today. Let’s break down what they revealed and, more importantly, what you can do about it. ...

That Urgent Gift Card Request? It’s a Scam. Here’s What to Know. In December 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a public alert warning residents about a persistent and damaging threat: gift card scams. This official warning underscores a simple, brutal fact—no legitimate government agency, utility company, tech support service, or business will ever demand payment via a gift card. Yet, these scams continue to drain bank accounts because they exploit urgency, fear, and a desire to be helpful. ...

How to Use National Consumer Protection Week to Lock Down Your Digital Life Every March, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leads National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). It’s a focused effort to arm people with the knowledge they need to navigate an increasingly complex marketplace, especially online. As we look ahead to NCPW 2026, the core message remains urgent: proactive defense is your best tool against fraud, identity theft, and digital scams. ...

The Latest Scams Are Getting Sneakier: What the FTC Wants You to Know Scams can feel like a constant, ever-shifting threat. Just when you learn to spot one scheme, another emerges, dressed in new digital clothing. That’s why updates from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are so valuable. During a recent National Consumer Protection Week webinar, the agency shed light on the fraud trends currently tricking the most people. While the exact transcript isn’t public, the FTC consistently reports on the patterns where consumers are losing money and peace of mind. ...