Digital-Safety

Why Reporting a Scam is Just as Important as Avoiding One We often focus on how to spot and avoid scams—and for good reason. But what happens after a scam attempt, successful or not, is just as critical. Recent alerts from organizations like AARP Virginia highlight a relentless wave of fraud, from IRS impostors to sophisticated travel and product recall schemes. These alerts consistently carry one crucial piece of advice beyond mere vigilance: report it. ...

How Satisfied Are Bank Customers with Fraud Protection? A major survey released in late 2025 offers a revealing snapshot of how Americans feel about their bank’s efforts to keep their money safe. The Fall 2025 Morning Consult survey, commissioned by the American Bankers Association (ABA), found that a strong majority of consumers report high satisfaction with their bank’s fraud protection measures. ...

Your Digital Wallet Is a Target. Here’s How to Lock It Down. If you’ve ever used Venmo to split dinner, Zelle to pay rent, or PayPal for an online purchase, you’re part of a massive shift in how we handle money. These apps are incredibly convenient, turning our phones into pocket-sized banks. But that convenience has a shadow: a dramatic increase in sophisticated scams targeting everyday users. Consumer protection agencies, like the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection, are now issuing specific alerts about these risks. The message is clear: as our habits change, so must our vigilance. ...

Don’t Just Get Mad, Report It: A Practical Guide to Stopping Scams When a scammer tries to trick you, the first wave of emotion is often anger, followed by embarrassment. You might want to just block the number, delete the email, and put the whole thing behind you. But there’s a critical step that many people skip: reporting the fraud. ...

The Scams to Watch Now, According to the FTC’s Latest Briefing The digital world offers incredible convenience, but it also provides new avenues for fraudsters. Every year, scammers refine their tactics, making their schemes more convincing and harder to spot. Staying ahead of these threats requires reliable, up-to-date information. That’s why the insights shared during the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) recent National Consumer Protection Week webinar are so valuable. The session highlighted the specific scam trends that are currently ensnaring people, providing a crucial snapshot of where the danger lies right now. ...

That “Official” Parking Ticket May Be a Scam A new consumer alert warns drivers to be extra vigilant about parking violation notices arriving by text or email. The North Carolina Department of Justice recently highlighted a sophisticated scam where fraudsters send official-looking communications demanding immediate payment for alleged parking infractions. While the specific alert focuses on North Carolina, the tactics used are universal, making this a timely reminder for all drivers to pause and verify before paying any unexpected fine. ...

Survey Shows We Trust Banks with Fraud. Here’s How to Make That Trust Pay Off A recent national survey offers some reassuring news for anyone who banks online. According to the Fall 2025 Morning Consult survey commissioned by the American Bankers Association, U.S. consumers are broadly happy with their banks and specifically applaud their fraud protection efforts. In an era of constant headlines about scams and data breaches, it’s a significant vote of confidence in the security measures financial institutions have put in place. ...

Why Reporting a Scam is One of the Most Important Things You Can Do You see the alert pop up on your local news site or in an email from AARP: a new scam is targeting people in your area. It might involve fake IRS agents, a fraudulent travel deal, or a phony product recall. Your first instinct might be to simply delete the message, feel relieved it didn’t catch you, and move on. But there’s a critical next step that many people skip: reporting the attempt. ...

Your Practical Guide to National Consumer Protection Week 2026 Every March, a nationwide effort takes place to empower you against fraud. National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is a coordinated campaign led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and a coalition of partners. It’s a dedicated time to highlight your consumer rights and provide the tools you need to spot, avoid, and report scams. ...

What a New Banking Survey Tells Us About Fighting Fraud A recent national survey conducted for the American Bankers Association (ABA) offers a snapshot of how consumers currently feel about their banks, particularly when it comes to the critical issue of fraud protection. The Fall 2025 Morning Consult survey results indicate a generally high level of consumer satisfaction, with many applauding the fraud prevention efforts of their financial institutions. ...