That ‘Unpaid Parking Ticket’ Text Could Be a Scam If you’ve received a sudden, urgent message demanding payment for a parking violation you don’t remember, pause before you click. Authorities in North Carolina and beyond are warning drivers about a sophisticated new scam that uses the fear of an unexpected fine to steal money and personal information. ...
What Consumer Protection Week 2026 Means for Your Online Safety Every year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) spearheads National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), a dedicated campaign to arm the public with knowledge against fraud and scams. The recently announced theme for NCPW 2026 continues this mission, offering updated resources and warnings tailored to the current digital landscape. For anyone who banks online, shops on the internet, or simply has a digital footprint, this isn’t just a bureaucratic event—it’s a timely checklist for your personal security. ...
Don’t Get Slaughtered: How to Spot a “Pig Butchering” Scam You meet someone new online. The conversation starts casually—maybe on a social media platform, a dating app, or even via a seemingly wrong-number text. They’re friendly, engaging, and share details about their successful life. Over weeks or months, a bond forms. Then, they mention an incredible, can’t-miss investment opportunity. If this sequence sounds familiar, you could be the target of a “pig butchering” scam, a devastating fraud that has prompted official warnings, including a recent consumer alert from New York Attorney General Letitia James. ...
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. ...