Fraud Prevention

A Proactive Guide to National Consumer Protection Week 2026 As we head toward March 2026, consumer protection agencies are preparing for the annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). Spearheaded by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), this week serves as a crucial, coordinated reminder to review our habits and reinforce our defenses against scams that constantly evolve to exploit new technologies and anxieties. The core message remains timeless: informed consumers are the first line of defense. This year’s focus underscores practical steps anyone can take to protect their finances, personal information, and peace of mind. ...

A Practical Guide to Spotting, Stopping, and Recovering from Scams Scams aren’t just annoying—they’re increasingly sophisticated and costly. Recent data shows a troubling 50% surge in identity theft over the past two tax seasons, a spike that underscores how fraudsters relentlessly refine their tactics. From AI-generated voices mimicking loved ones to deepfake videos and urgent “official” messages, modern scams are designed to bypass our natural skepticism. The good news is that with a clear understanding of how these schemes work and a solid plan of action, you can significantly reduce your risk and minimize damage if you are targeted. ...

Don’t Get Played: A Practical Guide to Modern Scams We’re living in a golden age for scammers. The tools are more sophisticated, the schemes more convincing, and the stakes are rising. Reports indicate identity theft cases jumped by 50% over the last two tax seasons alone. What used to be a poorly worded email from a “prince” has evolved into AI-generated voice clones of loved ones in distress and deepfake videos that can seemingly show anyone saying anything. The game has changed, and our defenses need to evolve with it. ...

Got a Text About a Parking Ticket? It Might Be a Scam If you’re a driver, few things are more irritating than finding a parking ticket on your windshield. Now, scammers are exploiting that frustration digitally. According to a recent alert from the North Carolina Department of Justice (NCDOJ), drivers are being targeted by a new wave of text-based parking violation scams. These messages are designed to create panic and trick you into paying a fine that doesn’t exist or, worse, into handing over your personal and financial information. ...

How to Spot, Stop, and Handle Modern Scams Scams aren’t what they used to be. The days of easily spotted fake checks and poorly written “Nigerian prince” emails are fading, replaced by sophisticated schemes that leverage artificial intelligence, personal data, and psychological manipulation. Recent data, including a Yahoo report indicating a 50% surge in identity theft over the last two tax seasons, underscores that these threats are not only evolving but escalating. This guide provides a clear, three-part strategy to navigate this landscape: recognizing the new threats, building strong defenses, and knowing exactly what to do if you become a target. ...

Your Consumer Protection Toolkit for NCPW 2026 National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) returns in March 2026, marking a yearly reminder to assess our digital safety habits. Led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), this week is less about a single event and more about providing a focused opportunity to reinforce the defenses we should maintain year-round. With fraud and scam reports consistently numbering in the millions annually, the guidance offered during NCPW serves as a crucial, timely update for anyone navigating today’s marketplace. ...

National Consumer Protection Week 2026: A Practical Guide to Outsmarting Scams Every year, as March approaches, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and hundreds of partner organizations gear up for National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). For 2026, the focus remains sharply on empowering you with the knowledge to defend against increasingly sophisticated fraud. This isn’t just a promotional event; it’s a concentrated source of timely, practical advice. With fraud tactics constantly evolving, this annual reminder is the perfect moment to audit your own habits and update your defenses. ...

A Timely Warning on Gift Card Scams: What You Need to Know In recent weeks, Attorney General Brian Schwalb of the District of Columbia issued a public alert, specifically warning residents about a sharp rise in scams involving gift cards. While this warning originates from D.C., the tactics described are a nationwide problem, putting consumers everywhere at risk. This alert serves as a critical reminder that gift cards are not just convenient gifts—they have become a primary tool for fraudsters due to their relative anonymity and the difficulty of tracing or reversing transactions. ...

What the DC Attorney General’s Gift Card Scam Alert Means for You If you’ve ever been asked to pay for something with a gift card, it’s time to pause and listen. Washington D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb recently issued a clear public alert warning residents about a rampant wave of gift card scams. This isn’t an isolated warning; it reflects a national fraud trend where scammers pressure people into irreversible payments. Understanding this official alert can help you protect your finances from a surprisingly common trap. ...

Your Guide to Staying Safe: Practical Advice from Consumer Protection Week Every year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leads National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), a dedicated time to empower people with the knowledge they need to spot scams and protect their money and personal information. While the official events for NCPW 2026 are on the horizon, the core advice remains critically relevant every single day. ...