Cybersecurity

Don’t Get Played: A Modern Guide to Spotting, Stopping, and Recovering from Scams It’s no secret that scams are getting more sophisticated. With identity theft reportedly surging by 50% over recent tax seasons and the unsettling rise of AI-generated deepfakes and voice scams, the old advice of “just be careful” isn’t enough anymore. Fraudsters are leveraging psychology and cutting-edge technology to craft incredibly convincing traps. ...

Don’t Get Locked Out or Scammed: How to Safeguard Your Next Ticket Purchase Scoring tickets to a much-anticipated concert, playoff game, or theater show is a thrill. Unfortunately, that excitement makes fans a prime target for fraudsters. Beyond the scramble for seats lies a parallel scramble by scammers looking to steal your money, your personal data, or both. Whether you’re buying directly from a primary vendor or on the resale market, a few key security practices can significantly lower your risk of disappointment and financial loss. ...

A Practical Guide to Navigating Today’s Scam Landscape It can feel like a new scam emerges daily. The phone rings with a familiar voice—perhaps even a family member’s—pleading for money, only to be a convincing AI clone. An urgent text about a package delivery or a bank alert appears, designed to trigger a panicked click. These aren’t hypotheticals; they’re today’s reality. With identity theft reports surging, particularly around high-stakes times like tax season, a basic understanding of digital threats is no longer optional—it’s essential self-defense. ...

Don’t Fall for It: A Real-World Guide to Fighting Fraud Scammers are getting smarter. New data reveals a troubling 50% spike in identity theft over the last two tax seasons, a period when our guard might be down and sensitive information is in motion. Meanwhile, criminals are now using AI to clone voices for fake emergency calls and create convincing deepfake videos, making old tricks dangerously new. It’s no longer enough to just delete suspicious emails; we need a proactive plan. ...

Your Guide to National Consumer Protection Week 2026 It’s that time of year again: National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is on the horizon for 2026. This isn’t just another calendar note from the government. For a week each year, spearheaded by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alongside a coalition of partners, the spotlight shines directly on empowering you with the knowledge to fight fraud, secure your identity, and navigate the digital marketplace safely. ...

Don’t Get Played: A Realistic Guide to Spotting, Stopping, and Recovering from Scams It feels like a weekly occurrence: a new text about a missed delivery, an urgent call from “your bank,” or a too-good-to-be-true investment offer. Fraud isn’t just annoying; it’s costly and emotionally draining. Recent reports, including a series from Investopedia, highlight a sobering reality: identity theft spiked by 50% over the last two tax seasons, and scammers are now wielding artificial intelligence to create frighteningly convincing fakes. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams Every year, scammers refine their tactics, finding new ways to exploit trust and urgency. Keeping up can feel like a full-time job. Fortunately, regulators are on the front lines, and their insights are our best defense. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a key webinar as part of National Consumer Protection Week, distilling the latest patterns they’re seeing in fraud. The message is clear: while the themes of fear, greed, and opportunity are timeless, the delivery methods are constantly evolving. ...

What Makes a Bank Safe in a Digital World? When you think about a “safe” bank, your mind might first go to its financial strength—whether it can weather an economic storm. That’s crucial, of course. But in today’s world, a bank’s safety is just as much about its digital defenses as its balance sheet. With cyberattacks and sophisticated scams on the rise, the security of your online banking portal, mobile app, and the bank’s own data centers is paramount to protecting your money and your identity. ...

Staying Safe in a World of Scams: A Practical Guide to Protecting Yourself It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Recent data shows that identity theft has surged by 50% over just the past two tax seasons, a stark reminder that financial predators are more active than ever. But you are not powerless. While the threats are evolving—now including AI-generated voices and convincing deepfakes—the core principles of defense remain grounded in vigilance and smart habits. ...

Your Guide to National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Building Digital Defenses National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) returns in March 2026. While this annual event, led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), is a coordinated campaign involving government agencies and consumer groups, its real value lies in what you can do with it. It’s a dedicated reminder and a source of tools to reassess your personal security in an increasingly digital world. ...