Fraud Prevention

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Scams Every day, scammers refine their tactics, using new technologies and exploiting current events to separate people from their money and personal information. Recently, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar to highlight the most pervasive and evolving scam trends targeting consumers right now. While the specific examples may change, the underlying principles of these cons remain consistent: creating urgency, impersonating trusted entities, and exploiting human emotion. ...

That Urgent Text Could Be a Scam: How to Spot the Latest Fraud Alert If you’ve received a text message recently claiming to be from a court, a delivery service, or a bank, you’re not alone—and you should be on guard. In early March 2026, the Philadelphia Courts issued a statewide consumer fraud alert warning residents of a surge in fake texting scams. These messages are designed to look legitimate, often impersonating trusted institutions to trick you into revealing personal information or sending money. ...

Staying Ahead of Scammers: What the FTC Wants You to Know During the recent National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a crucial webinar to shed light on the scam landscape. Their message was clear: while the classic cons haven’t disappeared, they are constantly evolving, becoming more sophisticated and targeted. For anyone who shops online, pays bills, or simply uses email, understanding these trends isn’t just useful—it’s a necessary part of modern life. ...

Fake Texts Posing as Courts Target Pennsylvanians: Here’s How to Spot Them A new warning from state officials is putting residents on high alert. In early March 2026, the Philadelphia Courts issued a statewide consumer fraud alert concerning a surge in fake texting scams. These messages are deceptively crafted to appear as official court communications, aiming to steal personal information or money from unsuspecting recipients. While the alert originated in Pennsylvania, the tactics used are common nationwide, making this a timely reminder for all consumers to scrutinize unexpected texts. ...

Official Alert: Spotting and Stopping Gift Card Scams In mid-December, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a direct warning to residents about a persistent and costly threat: gift card scams. This official alert underscores what law enforcement and consumer protection agencies see repeatedly—fraudsters are relentlessly using gift cards to steal money, often impersonating trusted entities to create a false sense of urgency. Understanding how these scams work is your first and most powerful line of defense. ...

Pennsylvania Courts Warn of Fake Texting Scams: Here’s What You Need to Know A new, official warning is making its way across Pennsylvania. In early March 2026, the Philadelphia Courts issued a statewide consumer fraud alert about a surge in deceptive text messages. These texts, often designed to look like they come from courts, government agencies, or familiar businesses, are a direct attempt to steal personal information and money. This isn’t just a Philadelphia problem; it’s a widespread tactic used by scammers everywhere, and the court’s alert serves as a critical reminder for all of us to stay vigilant. ...

The Microsoft Account Dilemma: Balancing Convenience and Control in Windows 11 When you set up a new Windows 11 PC, one of the first and most important choices you face is the type of user account to create. The setup process strongly nudges you toward a Microsoft account, but the alternative—a local account—remains a valid option for those with specific privacy or security concerns. This isn’t just a matter of logging into your email; it’s a foundational decision that affects how your data is synchronized, stored, and secured. With Microsoft recently making it harder to choose the local path, understanding the implications of your choice is more critical than ever for maintaining your digital safety. ...

Court Impersonators Are Sending Fake Texts. Here’s How to Spot the Scam. If you receive an unexpected text message claiming to be from a court, demanding a payment or warning of a warrant, be cautious. You might be the target of a sophisticated scam designed to steal your money and personal information. ...

Stay Ahead of Scammers: What the FTC Wants You to Know During its recent National Consumer Protection Week webinar, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) put a spotlight on how scammers are refining their tactics. The key takeaway? While classic cons like phishing and impersonation haven’t gone away, the methods of delivery and the stories scammers tell are becoming more sophisticated and harder to spot. Staying informed isn’t just about awareness—it’s your first line of defense. ...

A New Wave of Fake Texts: What a Statewide Court Alert Means for You If you live in Pennsylvania, your phone might be the next target. In early March 2026, the Philadelphia Courts issued a formal statewide consumer fraud alert, warning residents about an active surge in fake texting scams. This isn’t just another phishing email; it’s a sophisticated smishing (SMS phishing) campaign designed to impersonate official institutions and create a false sense of urgency. ...