Digital Safety

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams Last month, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a timely webinar to outline the most pressing fraud threats facing consumers right now. These events are critical because scam tactics don’t stay static; they evolve to exploit new technologies and current events. The FTC’s latest briefing serves as a crucial update, moving beyond the well-known schemes to highlight how fraud is adapting. For anyone who shops online, manages finances, or simply uses email and text messaging, understanding these trends is the first step toward effective defense. ...

How to Spot and Stop Scams: A Practical Guide to Protecting Your Money It’s not your imagination—scams are getting more sophisticated and more frequent. Recent reports note a troubling 50% increase in identity theft over the past two tax seasons, while AI-generated scam calls and deepfakes are moving from sci-fi concepts into our daily lives. The goal of a scammer is simple: to create a compelling illusion that triggers a quick, emotional reaction, bypassing your logical defenses. ...

Your Action Plan for Safer Online Living in 2026 With National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) on the horizon in early March 2026, there’s no better time to revisit your digital safety habits. While the full slate of events and resources for NCPW 2026 will be detailed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) closer to the date, the core principles of protecting yourself from scams and fraud remain constant. The aim is always the same: to arm you with knowledge that makes you a harder target. ...

Your Consumer Protection Toolkit for NCPW 2026 National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) returns in March 2026, marking a yearly reminder to assess our digital safety habits. Led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), this week is less about a single event and more about providing a focused opportunity to reinforce the defenses we should maintain year-round. With fraud and scam reports consistently numbering in the millions annually, the guidance offered during NCPW serves as a crucial, timely update for anyone navigating today’s marketplace. ...

National Consumer Protection Week 2026: A Practical Guide to Outsmarting Scams Every year, as March approaches, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and hundreds of partner organizations gear up for National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). For 2026, the focus remains sharply on empowering you with the knowledge to defend against increasingly sophisticated fraud. This isn’t just a promotional event; it’s a concentrated source of timely, practical advice. With fraud tactics constantly evolving, this annual reminder is the perfect moment to audit your own habits and update your defenses. ...

The Scam Alert: Spot, Stop, and Recover from Modern Fraud You’ve likely felt it: the uneasy sense that scams are getting harder to spot. A call from a family member that sounds just slightly off, an email with your password in the subject line, or a text about a package you never ordered. A recent series from Investopedia titled “Fraud-Proof Your Future” underscores a critical point—the landscape of fraud has evolved, and our defenses need to evolve too. This isn’t about fear; it’s about building practical, everyday awareness. ...

A Timely Warning on Gift Card Scams: What You Need to Know In recent weeks, Attorney General Brian Schwalb of the District of Columbia issued a public alert, specifically warning residents about a sharp rise in scams involving gift cards. While this warning originates from D.C., the tactics described are a nationwide problem, putting consumers everywhere at risk. This alert serves as a critical reminder that gift cards are not just convenient gifts—they have become a primary tool for fraudsters due to their relative anonymity and the difficulty of tracing or reversing transactions. ...

Your Guide to Staying Safe: Practical Advice from Consumer Protection Week Every year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leads National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), a dedicated time to empower people with the knowledge they need to spot scams and protect their money and personal information. While the official events for NCPW 2026 are on the horizon, the core advice remains critically relevant every single day. ...

What to Know About National Consumer Protection Week 2026 Each March, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leads National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), a nationwide campaign focused on educating people about their rights and how to avoid fraud. The theme for NCPW 2026 centers on empowering individuals in an increasingly digital world. While official materials will be released closer to the event, the FTC’s consistent guidance over the years provides a reliable blueprint for the essential advice expected. Here’s a look at the practical takeaways you can use to bolster your defenses. ...

A Practical Guide to Staying Safe: What to Know for Consumer Protection Week 2026 Every March, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) spearheads National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), a coordinated campaign to empower people with the knowledge they need to spot and stop scams. With NCPW 2026 on the horizon, the key themes remain critically relevant: safeguarding your online privacy, recognizing financial fraud, and preventing identity theft. ...