Cybersecurity

Don’t Get Towed by a Parking Ticket Scam If you find a parking violation notice on your windshield or receive one in the mail, your first reaction might be annoyance followed by a quick check of your wallet. Scammers are banking on that exact sequence. Authorities, including the North Carolina Department of Justice, are warning drivers about a rise in fraudulent parking tickets designed to steal your money and personal information. Understanding how this scam works is your first line of defense. ...

Staying Ahead of Scams: What We Learned from the FTC’s Latest Update Every few months, it seems the tactics used by scammers evolve. What was a common trick last year might be replaced by something more sophisticated and convincing today. Staying informed isn’t just about caution; it’s a necessary part of protecting your finances and personal information. ...

The Scams Circulating Now: What the FTC Wants You to Know If you feel like you’re hearing about more scams than ever, you’re not wrong. During the recent National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to spotlight the current landscape of digital fraud. Their message was clear: while the core tactics of scammers remain the same—pressure, deception, and urgency—the delivery methods and specific schemes are constantly evolving. Staying a step ahead means understanding what you’re up against right now. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams If you’ve ever felt a jolt of suspicion from a too-good-to-be-true text, a pushy phone call from a “government agent,” or a heartbreaking plea from a “charity,” you’re not alone. Scammers are constantly refining their tactics, and keeping up can feel like a full-time job. That’s precisely why the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) holds events like its recent webinar during National Consumer Protection Week. The goal is to cut through the noise and give people the straight facts on what to watch for right now. ...

What You Need to Know About Consumer Protection in 2026 Every March, a coalition of government agencies and consumer advocacy groups leads National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). Its goal is straightforward: to help people understand their rights and spot scams before they cause harm. As we look ahead to NCPW 2026, the core principles of defense remain timeless, but the tactics used by fraudsters keep evolving. Here’s a practical look at the enduring threats and the essential habits you can build to protect yourself, based on the ongoing work of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). ...

Heads Up, North Carolina Drivers: A New Parking Ticket Scam is Circulating If you receive a message demanding urgent payment for a parking ticket you don’t remember getting, take a pause. According to a consumer alert from the North Carolina Department of Justice (NCDOJ), scammers are actively targeting drivers with a convincing new fraud. They’re sending fake parking violation notices to trick people into paying money and handing over personal information. ...

FTC Warns of Evolving Scam Tactics: What You Need to Know Now During the recent National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a critical webinar detailing the latest methods scammers are using to target consumers. The session served as a timely reminder that fraud tactics are constantly shifting, and staying informed is your first line of defense. With financial losses to fraud reaching billions annually, understanding these trends isn’t just useful—it’s essential for protecting your money and personal information. ...

How the Latest Scams Are Evolving—and How to Fight Back If you feel like you’re hearing about more scams lately, you’re not imagining it. Fraudsters are constantly refining their tactics, finding new ways to exploit trust and urgency. To mark National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently held a webinar outlining the most pressing scam trends they’re seeing right now. The goal wasn’t to scare people, but to arm them with knowledge. Understanding how these schemes work is the first, and most powerful, step in avoiding them. ...

How to Recognize and Fight Back Against This Year’s Top Scams Every year, scammers refine their tactics, using new technologies and current events to trick people out of money and personal information. Staying ahead of these schemes is a constant challenge. Recently, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to highlight the latest scam trends that are currently impacting consumers. While the full details are covered in their session, understanding the overarching themes can give you a powerful advantage in protecting yourself and your family. ...

Your Guide to National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Practical Steps to Fight Fraud National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is here again, running from March 1-7, 2026. While it’s a coordinated campaign led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), its real value lies in what you do with it. This week is less about observance and more about action—a dedicated time to audit your personal defenses against the relentless waves of scams, fraud, and identity theft. This guide cuts through the noise to give you clear, practical ways to protect yourself, using the excellent (and free) resources the FTC provides. ...