Digital Safety

Consumer Protection in 2026: Practical Ways to Spot Scams and Secure Your Data With National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 on the horizon this March, it’s a fitting moment to review the essentials of digital safety. The landscape of fraud constantly shifts, but the core principles of vigilance and proactive defense remain your best tools. Drawing on guidance from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and other trusted sources, here’s a focused look at how to protect yourself in the coming year. ...

What to Know as National Consumer Protection Week 2026 Begins Each March, consumer protection agencies, advocacy groups, and community organizations unite for a week dedicated to an essential goal: helping you keep your money and information safe. National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026, spearheaded by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), runs from March 1-7. It’s more than a calendar event; it’s a focused opportunity to arm yourself with knowledge against the latest scams and privacy threats. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About the Latest Scam Tactics Every March, National Consumer Protection Week serves as a crucial reminder to review our defenses against fraud. This year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) used the occasion to host an informative webinar, distilling the most current and pervasive scam trends they’re seeing. The goal wasn’t just to warn us, but to equip us with the knowledge to recognize and stop these threats before they cause harm. While the details of individual scams constantly evolve, the core tactics and warning signs remain surprisingly consistent. Understanding these patterns is your first and best line of defense. ...

Stay Ahead of Scams: Key Advice from the FTC for Consumer Protection Week 2026 Every March, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leads National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), a nationwide effort to help people understand their rights and spot deceptive practices. For 2026, the message is clear: the scam landscape is evolving, but your power to protect yourself is growing, too. This week serves as a critical checkpoint to review your defenses against fraud, identity theft, and privacy invasions that are becoming more sophisticated each year. ...

Your Practical Guide to the FTC’s Consumer Protection Week Next week marks the Federal Trade Commission’s annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). While it might sound like another government awareness campaign, it’s genuinely one of the best times of the year to sharpen your defenses against fraud. The FTC uses this week to consolidate and highlight its most crucial advice, and for 2026, the focus is on the scams that are currently costing people the most money and peace of mind. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Scams Right Now Every year, scams get a little more sophisticated. What worked to trick people last year has evolved, and keeping up can feel like a full-time job. That’s why the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) recent webinar, held during National Consumer Protection Week, is so valuable. It cuts through the noise to highlight the specific scam trends that are causing the most harm right now. While we can’t access the full, detailed transcript from the reported source, the FTC’s consistent messaging allows us to outline the critical threats you need to watch for and the practical steps you can take. ...

Watch Out for That Parking Ticket Text—It Might Be a Scam If you’re a driver in North Carolina, be extra cautious about any message claiming you have an unpaid parking ticket. In late March 2026, the state’s Department of Justice issued a formal alert about a new wave of parking violation scams targeting drivers. These deceptive messages are designed to steal your money and personal information by creating a false sense of urgency. ...

Staying Ahead of Scammers: Practical Lessons from a Recent FTC Webinar In early March, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held an important webinar to spotlight the latest tactics scammers are using to defraud the public. These events are a critical pulse-check, moving beyond dry statistics to outline the real methods criminals employ right now. For anyone who banks online, shops on the internet, or simply uses email, the insights are less about distant threats and more about immediate risks to your wallet and personal information. ...

Watch Out for This Parking Ticket Scam in North Carolina: Protect Your Wallet If you’ve received a text or email about an overdue parking ticket, take a deep breath before you click. A new scam is targeting North Carolina drivers, using the fear of an unpaid violation to steal money and personal information. The North Carolina Department of Justice (NCDOJ) has issued an alert, warning residents to be extra cautious with these unexpected notices. ...

New Parking Ticket Scam Targets North Carolina Drivers: How to Spot the Fake If you get a text message or email about an unpaid parking ticket, don’t panic and don’t click. The North Carolina Department of Justice (NCDOJ) has issued a consumer alert warning drivers about a new scam designed to steal your money and personal information. ...