Digital Safety

An Official Warning: How to Spot Investment Scams on Facebook and Instagram If you use Facebook or Instagram, you’ve likely seen them: posts or messages promoting “guaranteed” investment returns, “risk-free” crypto schemes, or secret trading strategies. These offers are not opportunities—they are often sophisticated traps. Recently, the Maryland Attorney General’s office issued a stark consumer alert highlighting the surge in investment scams specifically on Meta Platforms. This official warning underscores a pressing need for heightened vigilance as scammers refine their tactics to target everyday social media users. ...

Gift Card Scams Are Everywhere: How to Spot and Stop Them If someone demands payment with a gift card, it’s almost certainly a scam. That’s the straightforward warning from District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb, who recently issued an alert to residents about this persistent and costly fraud. Despite being a well-known tactic, gift card scams continue to trick people out of hundreds of millions of dollars each year. Understanding how these scams work is your first and best defense. ...

Your Action Plan for a Safer Year: National Consumer Protection Week 2026 National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) arrives each spring, serving as a timely reminder to review our digital habits. While it’s a coordinated effort led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) with partners, its real value lies in the practical steps it prompts us to take. This year, the focus is squarely on navigating an increasingly complex digital landscape. Rather than just a week of awareness, think of it as your annual check-up for personal data security. ...

National Consumer Protection Week is Coming: Here’s How to Use It to Fortify Your Finances Every year, National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) offers a timely, government-backed reminder to review our defenses against fraud. With NCPW 2026 on the horizon, it’s the perfect moment to move beyond awareness and into action. This isn’t about fear; it’s about building simple, effective habits that protect your money and your identity year-round. Let’s explore how you can use this annual event as a catalyst for your personal security. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams During a recent webinar for National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) shed light on the scam tactics that are currently separating Americans from their money. Their key message? While the platforms and specific stories change, the psychological tricks scammers use remain constant. They rely on creating a sense of urgency, exploiting trust, and pressuring you to act before you think. Understanding the most prevalent trends is your first line of defense. ...

New Scam Playbook: What the FTC Wants You to Watch For If you feel like you’re hearing about more scams than ever, you’re not imagining it. The latest data confirms a troubling rise, making awareness our first and best line of defense. During a recent National Consumer Protection Week webinar, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) highlighted the evolving tactics scammers are using to separate people from their money and personal information. While the full details of their presentation aren’t publicly published, the discussion centered on the current trends that are proving most effective—and most dangerous—for consumers today. ...

Your Guide to Staying Safe During Consumer Protection Week 2026 Every year, scammers seem to get a little more creative. Whether it’s a cleverly disguised phishing email, a convincing imposter call, or a fake listing for a product that never arrives, the threats to our wallets and personal information are constantly evolving. That’s why events like National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), are so valuable. For NCPW 2026, the FTC is once again rallying its resources to empower you with the knowledge to fight back. ...

What Scammers Are Doing Now—And How to Protect Yourself If you feel like you’re hearing about more scams lately, you’re not imagining it. Fraud is evolving, becoming more sophisticated and targeted. Recently, during National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to outline the latest trends they’re seeing. The goal wasn’t just to raise awareness, but to give people the specific knowledge needed to spot and stop these threats before they cause harm. ...

Staying Ahead of Scammers: Practical Advice for Consumer Protection Week 2026 As we approach National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026, the annual campaign led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is shifting into gear. This event, typically held in March, isn’t just a calendar marker—it’s a concentrated push to equip people with the knowledge to defend their wallets and personal information. The landscape of fraud is always changing, but the core principles of protection remain steady. This year’s initiative underscores a critical message: vigilance is a daily habit, not a one-week event. ...

Your 2026 Guide to Smarter Consumer Protection National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is here again, running March 1-7, 2026. Organized by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), this week isn’t just about official announcements—it’s a concentrated push to arm you with the knowledge you need to spot scams, secure your identity, and shop with confidence. The digital landscape changes quickly, and so do the tricks used by fraudsters. The core lesson from this year’s initiative is clear: proactive defense is your best tool. ...