Fraud Prevention

Your Guide to Staying Safe During Consumer Protection Week 2026 Every year, scammers seem to get a little more creative. Whether it’s a cleverly disguised phishing email, a convincing imposter call, or a fake listing for a product that never arrives, the threats to our wallets and personal information are constantly evolving. That’s why events like National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), are so valuable. For NCPW 2026, the FTC is once again rallying its resources to empower you with the knowledge to fight back. ...

The Scams That Are Closer to Home: What the FTC Wants You to Watch For You might think you can spot a scam a mile away—the poorly written email, the too-good-to-be-true offer, the urgent plea from a foreign prince. But the landscape of fraud is shifting. The latest threats are more sophisticated, more personal, and often impersonate the very institutions we trust. During a recent webinar for National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) spotlighted the latest trends making the rounds, and the message was clear: the scams of today are harder to distinguish from legitimate communications. ...

What Scammers Are Doing Now—And How to Protect Yourself If you feel like you’re hearing about more scams lately, you’re not imagining it. Fraud is evolving, becoming more sophisticated and targeted. Recently, during National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to outline the latest trends they’re seeing. The goal wasn’t just to raise awareness, but to give people the specific knowledge needed to spot and stop these threats before they cause harm. ...

What National Consumer Protection Week 2026 Means for Your Safety National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is back for 2026. This annual campaign, led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), is a dedicated time for government agencies, consumer advocates, and organizations to highlight the importance of knowing your rights and guarding against modern scams. The official “Welcome to NCPW 2026” announcements signal a renewed push to equip the public with free, practical tools and knowledge. For the average person, it’s a timely reminder to review and strengthen your personal defenses against fraud. ...

What to Expect From National Consumer Protection Week 2026 Every year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leads a nationwide campaign to arm consumers with knowledge against scams, fraud, and identity theft. This campaign is National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). While the official dates for NCPW 2026 are not yet finalized, looking at patterns from previous years, we can expect it to be scheduled for early March 2026. The FTC uses this dedicated week to roll out new resources, host events, and spotlight the most pressing threats facing consumers today. ...

Beyond the Headlines: What the “Pig Butchering” Scam Alert Means for You In February, New York State Attorney General Letitia James issued a stark warning to residents about a sophisticated and devastating fraud known as “pig butchering.” While the name might sound unusual, the financial carnage it leaves behind is very real. This official alert underscores a growing threat that can target anyone with a smartphone or social media account. Understanding how this scam works is the first critical step in protecting yourself and your finances. ...

Staying Ahead of Scammers: Practical Advice for Consumer Protection Week 2026 As we approach National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026, the annual campaign led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is shifting into gear. This event, typically held in March, isn’t just a calendar marker—it’s a concentrated push to equip people with the knowledge to defend their wallets and personal information. The landscape of fraud is always changing, but the core principles of protection remain steady. This year’s initiative underscores a critical message: vigilance is a daily habit, not a one-week event. ...

Gift Card Scams: How to Spot the Lies and Protect Your Money An official warning from the District of Columbia’s Attorney General, Brian Schwalb, is the latest reminder of a widespread problem: gift card scams are surging. These aren’t sophisticated digital heists; they are simple, high-pressure cons that trick people into willingly handing over their own money. By understanding how these scams work and recognizing the red flags, you can protect yourself and others from significant financial loss. ...

What Scammers Are Doing Now: Insights from the FTC’s Latest Update Keeping up with scam artists can feel like a full-time job. Just as you learn to spot one scheme, a new one emerges, more sophisticated and convincing than the last. This constant evolution is precisely why the guidance from official sources is so valuable. During the recent National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a timely webinar to shed light on the scam trends that are currently costing consumers the most money and peace of mind. ...

The Scam Landscape for 2026 and How to Navigate It National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), is more than just a calendar event. It’s an annual reminder to pause and take stock of our digital and financial health. As we approach NCPW 2026, the core mission remains unchanged: equipping you with the knowledge to recognize, reject, and report fraud. This year, the threats aren’t necessarily brand new, but their delivery and sophistication continue to evolve. ...