Cybersecurity

Latest Scam Trends from the FTC’s 2026 National Consumer Protection Week Webinar Every year, National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) gives the Federal Trade Commission a platform to update the public on the newest fraud tactics. This year’s webinar, held during the first week of March 2026, covered the scams that have been costing consumers the most money and offered clear steps to avoid becoming a victim. If you missed the live session, here is a summary of what was shared and how you can apply it. ...

Fraud Alert for 50+: Impersonation and Tech Scams Are Surging—Here’s How to Stay Safe If you or someone you care for is over 50, it’s worth paying closer attention to scam warnings right now. Fraud cases targeting older adults are climbing sharply, especially scams that use technology to impersonate government agencies, tech support, or even family members. According to recent news reports from CBS News and AARP, the numbers are sobering: more than $258 million was stolen from Floridians aged 50 and older in 2025 alone, and impersonation scams have surged 148 percent nationally, making them the single most common fraud type. ...

Gift Card Scams Are Surging: What the DC Attorney General’s Recent Alert Means for You If you’ve ever received an unexpected phone call demanding payment by gift card, you are not alone. Last December, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert specifically warning residents about the rise of gift card scams. The alert, published on the OAG website, highlights how scammers are targeting consumers with increasingly convincing stories—and how quickly money can disappear once a gift card code is shared. ...

Fraud Surge Targeting Older Adults: How to Protect Yourself from Tech Scams Introduction Scammers are increasingly reaching older Americans through phones, emails, and computers. Recent reports from CBS News and AARP show that fraud targeting people over 50 is climbing sharply, with impersonation scams now the most common type. In Florida alone, more than $258 million was stolen from older adults in 2025. While no one is immune, knowing the tactics and taking simple precautions can make a real difference. ...

Account Takeover on the Rise? Here’s How to Protect Your Online Accounts In August 2025, the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection issued an alert about a significant increase in account takeover incidents. If you use online banking, email, social media, or any service that stores personal information, this matters to you. Account takeover is a form of identity theft where criminals gain access to your existing accounts — often by stealing your credentials — and then use them to commit fraud, make unauthorized purchases, or steal additional data. ...

Fraud Surge Targeting Older Adults: How to Spot Tech Scams Before You Lose Money Fraud cases involving phone calls, texts, and emails are rising sharply among people aged 50 and older. Recent reports from CBS News and AARP show that losses in Florida alone topped $258 million in 2025, and impersonation scams — where someone pretends to be a government agency, a tech company, or a family member — increased 148% compared to the previous year. If you or someone you care for is in this age group, it’s worth understanding what’s driving this wave and how you can reduce the risk. ...

What Is a ‘Pig Butchering’ Scam? Warning Signs and How to Protect Yourself New York Attorney General Letitia James has issued a public warning about a sharp increase in so-called “pig butchering” scams targeting state residents. While the alert applies directly to New York, this type of fraud is spreading across the country and preys on anyone who uses social media, dating apps, or cryptocurrency platforms. ...

What the FTC’s Latest Scam Data Means for You Every year during National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission takes the opportunity to give the public a clearer picture of what fraud looks like right now. This year, a webinar hosted by the FTC and covered by ACA International laid out the scam trends that consumers should be paying attention to in 2026. If you’ve felt like the calls and messages are getting more convincing, you’re not wrong—the tactics are evolving. ...

Account Takeover Attacks Are on the Rise: How to Protect Your Online Accounts If you’ve noticed unusual login attempts on your email, banking, or social media accounts recently, you’re not alone. The New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection issued an alert on August 14, 2025, warning that account takeover incidents are becoming more frequent and more sophisticated. In an account takeover, a criminal gains unauthorized access to one of your online accounts—often through phishing, credential stuffing (using leaked passwords from other sites), or SIM swapping—and then uses it to steal money, open new lines of credit, or impersonate you to target your contacts. ...

Account Takeover Attacks Are Surging: How to Protect Your Online Accounts Now On August 14, 2025, the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection issued a consumer fraud alert warning of a sharp rise in account takeover incidents. These attacks, where a criminal gains access to one of your online accounts and locks you out, can lead to direct financial loss and long-term identity theft. The alert covers common attack methods and practical ways to prevent them. ...