Fraud Prevention

The Scams Circulating Now and How to Spot Them Every year, fraudsters refine their tactics, and keeping up can feel like a full-time job. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a timely webinar during National Consumer Protection Week to shed light on the latest schemes targeting consumers. Their clear message was that while the packaging of scams changes, the core tricks remain the same—they just leverage new technologies and current events to seem more convincing. ...

A Practical Guide from the FTC: Protecting Yourself During Consumer Protection Week Every March, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) organizes National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). While the 2026 campaign will soon kick off with new resources and events, the core advice remains timeless. This week serves as a crucial reminder to review our habits and shields in an environment where scams are increasingly sophisticated. ...

A Practical Guide to Consumer Safety During NCPW 2026 As National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 kicks off, it serves as a crucial, annual reminder to review your defenses against fraud. While this week of awareness, spearheaded by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), runs from March 2nd, its lessons are meant to last all year. The FTC uses this time to highlight resources and educate the public, but the real work begins with each consumer taking proactive steps. Here’s how you can use this week to build stronger habits for recognizing scams, protecting your information, and knowing where to turn for help. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Scams Every March, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) marks National Consumer Protection Week by arming the public with the latest information on fraud. In a recent webinar, the agency distilled current scam trends into crucial advice for everyday life. While the full details of every emerging tactic are complex, the core message is clear: scammers are refining old tricks and exploiting new technologies, but you can still protect yourself by knowing what to look for. ...

The “Friendly Stranger” Scam: How “Pig Butchering” Cons People Out of Their Savings If you get a message from a stranger—maybe on WhatsApp, social media, or a dating app—strike up a friendly conversation, and eventually, they start talking about a “foolproof” investment opportunity, you might be dealing with more than just a new acquaintance. You could be the target of a sophisticated, long-term fraud known as a “pig butchering” scam. ...

Your 2026 Guide to Smart Consumer Protection Every March, a nationwide initiative called National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) focuses on empowering people with knowledge. Led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), this week spotlights the tools and information you need to navigate an increasingly complex marketplace, particularly online. For 2026, the core message remains vital: a well-informed consumer is the best defense against fraud, scams, and privacy intrusions. ...

The Latest Scams and How to Spot Them: Advice from the FTC We check our phones dozens of times a day, making quick decisions about texts, emails, and calls. It’s in these routine moments that modern scammers set their traps. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar during National Consumer Protection Week to outline the latest tricks fraudsters are using and how consumers can fight back. ...

Your Practical Guide to the 2026 National Consumer Protection Week Every year, a coordinated effort led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) brings together consumer protection organizations to spotlight the tools and knowledge you need to defend yourself. National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is that event. While the exact dates for the 2026 observance haven’t been formally announced—it typically occurs in early March—the FTC has already begun releasing planning materials and announcements to get the public ready. ...

How to Spot and Avoid the Newest Scams: Essential Safety Tips Scammers don’t take vacations, and their tactics are constantly being refined. During a recent webinar for National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) highlighted the latest patterns in fraud, noting how criminals are adapting to technology and current events. For the average person, this evolution means yesterday’s red flags might not catch today’s sophisticated cons. ...

How to Spot and Stop an Account Takeover Before It Happens You get a text about a login from an unfamiliar device. An email receipt arrives for something you didn’t buy. Your usual password suddenly doesn’t work. These are the unsettling signs of an account takeover—a form of fraud that’s becoming alarmingly common. Recently, the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection issued an alert about a significant rise in these incidents, urging consumers to take immediate steps to protect their digital lives. ...