Fraud Prevention

Staying Safe This Consumer Protection Week: Your Guide to Avoiding Scams Every day, scams become more sophisticated. They arrive as urgent text messages about a missed package, convincing phone calls from a “government agency,” or emotional pleas from a “family member” in trouble. During National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) amplifies its mission to empower people with the knowledge to spot and stop these threats. While the specific events and themes for NCPW 2026 are still being finalized, the core advice remains timeless and critically important. This isn’t just about a single week of awareness; it’s about building habits that protect your finances and personal information year-round. ...

When the “Power Company” Calls, It Might Be a Scam A recent alert from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) delivers a stark reminder: the agency does not call customers out of the blue to demand immediate payment. This warning highlights a persistent and damaging fraud—the utility impostor scam. As these schemes evolve, understanding how they work is your best defense. Let’s break down the tactics scammers use and what you can do to protect yourself. ...

National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Your Early Guide to Staying Safe The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has officially announced National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) for 2026. This annual event serves as a critical reminder and resource hub, uniting government agencies and consumer advocacy groups to educate the public on avoiding scams, protecting privacy, and exercising their rights. While the full slate of events and materials for 2026 is still being developed, now is the perfect time to get informed and build your defenses. Proactive awareness is your best tool against fraud. ...

Don’t Let the “Power Company” Scam You Off the Line Imagine this: your phone rings. The caller ID might even show a vaguely official-looking number or the name of your local utility. The person on the other end sounds professional but stern. They claim to be from the Public Utility Commission (PUC) or your power company, and they state, with urgency, that your service will be shut off within the hour unless you make an immediate payment. Your heart races. The threat feels real. This exact scenario is playing out for countless people, and it’s a complete fabrication designed to steal your money. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know for Consumer Protection Week 2026 Every year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leads National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), a nationwide campaign focused on helping people understand their rights and avoid scams. While the specific events and partner materials for NCPW 2026 are still being finalized, the core mission remains constant: to arm consumers with practical knowledge. Based on the FTC’s longstanding priorities and recent alerts, here’s a distillation of the essential, actionable advice you can expect to be central to the conversation next year. ...

That Urgent Call About Your Electric Bill? It Could Be a Scam You’re going about your day when the phone rings. The caller says they’re from a state utility commission, like the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC). They claim your power bill is overdue, and if you don’t pay immediately using a prepaid debit card or wire transfer, your service will be shut off within the hour. The demand is urgent, the pressure is high, and the threat feels very real. ...

A Practical Guide to National Consumer Protection Week 2026 As March approaches, you might start seeing reminders for National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026. This annual event, spearheaded by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), isn’t just a ceremonial calendar note. It’s a concentrated, nationwide effort to arm people with the knowledge and tools they need to defend their wallets and personal information. For anyone who shops online, pays bills, or simply uses digital services, this week serves as a critical checkpoint for your financial health. ...

That “Urgent” Utility Call Is a Scam: How to Protect Yourself A recorded message warns your power will be cut off in an hour. An aggressive caller demands immediate payment for a past-due bill using a prepaid gift card. These high-pressure tactics are hallmarks of a persistent and damaging scam: criminals impersonating utility companies and regulators. ...

Your Guide to Staying Safe: Key Lessons from Consumer Protection Week 2026 Every March, a focused effort emerges to help us defend our wallets and personal data: National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). For 2026, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is again at the forefront, providing crucial advice to navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape. This week is more than a reminder—it’s a toolkit. By understanding the prevailing threats and adopting a few key habits, you can build resilience against fraud that lasts all year. ...

Don’t Get Tricked: Your Guide to Spotting Gift Card Scams Imagine getting a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, your utility company, or even tech support. They say you owe money, your service will be cut off, or your computer is infected. The solution? They insist you pay immediately—not with a credit card or bank transfer—but with gift cards. This is the hallmark of a widespread and effective scam. ...