Cybersecurity

Your Guide to Staying Safe: Key Lessons from Consumer Protection Week 2026 Every March, a focused effort emerges to help us defend our wallets and personal data: National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). For 2026, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is again at the forefront, providing crucial advice to navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape. This week is more than a reminder—it’s a toolkit. By understanding the prevailing threats and adopting a few key habits, you can build resilience against fraud that lasts all year. ...

Don’t Get Tricked: Your Guide to Spotting Gift Card Scams Imagine getting a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, your utility company, or even tech support. They say you owe money, your service will be cut off, or your computer is infected. The solution? They insist you pay immediately—not with a credit card or bank transfer—but with gift cards. This is the hallmark of a widespread and effective scam. ...

What National Consumer Protection Week 2026 Means for Your Wallet Every day, it seems there’s a new story about someone losing money to a clever scam. Whether it’s a convincing text about a package delivery or a heart-wrenching plea from a supposed relative, these threats are a constant, unsettling background noise in our digital lives. That’s why events like National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) are more than just a calendar note. ...

An Official Alert on Gift Card Scams: How to Protect Yourself If you receive a call, text, or email insisting you must pay a debt, fix a problem, or help a loved one by sending gift card codes, it’s a scam. Full stop. That’s the clear and urgent warning recently issued by District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb, echoing alerts from consumer protection agencies nationwide. Scammers are increasingly demanding payment through gift cards because they are nearly impossible to trace or reverse once the codes are handed over. This warning serves as a critical reminder for all consumers, no matter where you live, to understand how these scams work and how to defend against them. ...

National Consumer Protection Week: What You Need to Know for 2026 Every March, a coordinated effort across the United States turns the spotlight on fraud prevention. National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is a time when government agencies, consumer advocates, and businesses unite to share crucial information on how to spot, avoid, and report scams. With the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leading the charge, the 2026 campaign is shaping up to focus on some of today’s most pervasive threats. ...

Don’t Fall for the Fake Utility Inspector: How to Spot a Common Scam Imagine this: your phone rings. The caller ID shows a local or official-looking number. The person on the other end claims to be from your state’s Public Utility Commission (PUC) or a similar regulatory body. They say you have an outstanding bill and that your power will be shut off within the hour unless you make an immediate payment. ...

What You Need to Know About Today’s Most Common Scams During National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to shed light on the latest tactics scammers are using. As fraud techniques evolve, staying informed is your first and best defense. This guide distills the key trends from that session into clear, actionable advice to help you protect your money and personal information. ...

Don’t Fall for Fake Utility Calls: A Guide to Protecting Your Money Introduction: The Knock at Your Digital Door It’s a call that can strike fear into any homeowner: a stern voice claiming to be from your electric, gas, or water company, insisting your service will be shut off in minutes unless you make an immediate payment. The pressure is real, but the caller is not. This is a utility impostor scam, a persistent fraud that authorities warn is once again making the rounds. As highlighted in a recent alert from bodies like the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), these criminals are adept at creating a convincing crisis to part you from your money. This guide will help you spot the deception and know exactly how to respond. ...

FTC Consumer Experts Warn: These Scam Tactics Are Surging Every year, scammers refine their playbook, exploiting new technologies and current events to separate people from their money. Staying ahead of these schemes is a constant challenge, which is why the Federal Trade Commission’s recent webinar, held during National Consumer Protection Week, is such a valuable resource. The session highlighted the evolving threats that are currently most prevalent and offered clear guidance on how to defend against them. ...

Practical Advice from the FTC’s Consumer Protection Week Every year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) highlights a crucial truth: the best defense against fraud is an informed consumer. As we approach National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026, the agency’s message is timely and clear. This annual event serves as a focused reminder to review your habits, understand the latest threats, and take simple, effective steps to safeguard your money and identity. ...