Digital Safety

Staying a Step Ahead: Your Guide to a Safer Digital Life in 2026 Every March, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leads National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), a nationwide effort to arm people with knowledge against fraud. With NCPW 2026 on the horizon, the agency’s early announcements serve as a timely reminder: in our increasingly digital world, an annual check-up on your financial and online defenses is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. ...

Your Guide to National Consumer Protection Week 2026 Each March, a coordinated effort led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) focuses a national spotlight on fraud prevention and consumer rights. National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 is no different, serving as a dedicated time to arm yourself with knowledge and tools against an ever-evolving landscape of scams. While the official week provides a focal point, the resources and strategies highlighted are valuable year-round. ...

The Scams in Your Inbox: What the FTC Says is Trending Now Every year, National Consumer Protection Week serves as a crucial reminder to pause and assess the digital threats vying for our attention and money. This year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to cut through the noise and highlight the specific scam tactics that are proving most effective—and most dangerous—right now. The message was clear: while the classics like phishing haven’t gone away, their delivery has become more sophisticated and harder to distinguish from legitimate communication. ...

Your Guide to National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Spotting Scams and Staying Safe As we approach another National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) in March 2026, it’s more than just an annual reminder—it’s a crucial call to action. Every year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and other agencies use this week to amplify a vital message: fraud is pervasive, but you are not powerless against it. Scammers refine their tactics constantly, but the fundamental principles of protection remain steady. This guide draws on the ongoing work of the FTC to give you concrete, actionable steps to identify, avoid, and report the scams you’re likely to encounter. ...

That “Urgent Amazon Recall” Text Is Probably a Scam. Here’s What to Do. If you’ve ever bought anything online, you’re a potential target. A persistent and convincing scam is making the rounds, where criminals impersonate Amazon to send fake text messages about product recalls. Posing as a critical safety alert, these messages are designed to steal your personal and financial information. ...

When a Spy’s Inbox Gets Hacked: What a Breach Teaches Us About Our Own Email The recent news that a group known as “Handala,” linked to Iran, breached the personal Gmail account of FBI Director Kash Patel is the kind of story that feels distant. It involves nation-state hackers, a high-profile public figure, and sensitive documents published online. It’s easy to dismiss it as espionage drama with little relevance to our daily digital lives. ...

When Even the Experts Get Hacked: How to Lock Down Your Email In late March 2026, news broke that the personal Gmail account of a former FBI Director, Kash Patel, had been compromised. A group calling itself “Handala,” linked to Iran, claimed responsibility, publishing private emails and documents online. While the geopolitical implications are significant, this incident serves as a stark, personal reminder for everyone: no email account is inherently immune to attack, regardless of the owner’s expertise or position. ...

That “Amazon Recall” Text Could Be a Trap. Here’s How to Tell. If you’re like most online shoppers, you’ve probably ordered something from Amazon. So, getting a text from them about a safety recall for a product you bought feels urgent and important. It’s supposed to. Unfortunately, scammers are now exploiting this very sense of responsibility. ...

Philadelphia Courts Warn of Rising Scams: What You Need to Know A recent statewide consumer fraud alert issued by the Philadelphia Courts serves as a critical reminder: scammers are constantly refining their tactics, and everyone is a potential target. While the specific details of every emerging scheme evolve, the core goal remains the same—to trick you out of your money or personal information. ...

Philadelphia Courts Warn of Rising Fraud: How to Protect Yourself Now Last month, the Philadelphia Courts issued a notable statewide consumer fraud alert. While the specific details of every emerging scheme shift, the core warning remains critically important: fraudulent activities are a persistent and evolving threat. For consumers in Pennsylvania and beyond, the alert serves as a timely reminder to sharpen your defenses. ...