Fraud Prevention

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. ...

Don’t Get Tricked: How to Spot and Stop Gift Card Scams Gift cards are meant to be simple, convenient presents. But for scammers, they’ve become a favorite tool for stealing money quickly and anonymously. It’s a pervasive problem, prompting consumer protection agencies to issue regular warnings. Recently, Attorney General Brian Schwalb alerted District of Columbia residents about a surge in these schemes, underscoring that this is a national issue anyone could encounter. ...

How to Spot and Stop the Latest Scams This Year A quick message about a missed package or a caller claiming to be from your bank’s “security department”—these everyday interactions are now the frontline of fraud. As scams grow more sophisticated, staying a step ahead isn’t just wise; it’s necessary for protecting your money and identity. ...

A New iPhone Scam Targets Your Bank Account: How to Spot It and Stop It Security experts are sounding the alarm about a sophisticated new scam specifically designed to target iPhone users, with the potential to drain linked bank accounts. This isn’t a generic phishing attempt; it exploits the interconnected nature of Apple’s ecosystem and preys on user trust in system notifications. While the exact technical delivery may evolve, understanding the core mechanism is your first and best defense. ...

Staying Ahead of Scammers: Practical Advice from the FTC for 2026 Every March, National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) rolls around, serving as a crucial reminder to check the locks on our digital lives. For 2026, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is once again leading the charge, offering clear guidance to help everyday people spot, avoid, and report the scams that continue to evolve. This isn’t about fear; it’s about building practical habits that make you a harder target. ...

A New Scam Targeting iPhones Aims for Your Bank Balance A recent wave of warnings from cybersecurity experts highlights a disturbing trend: scammers are refining techniques specifically designed to target iPhone users, with the ultimate goal of gaining access to and draining personal bank accounts. While specific technical details from recent reports are limited, the consistent advisory from experts points to a real and present threat that relies on a mix of digital trickery and social engineering. For anyone who uses their iPhone for banking, shopping, or managing finances, understanding this threat is the first critical step to avoiding it. ...

How to Spot the Scams That Are Targeting People Right Now The digital world offers incredible convenience, but it also creates fertile ground for fraud. Every year, scammers refine their tactics, creating new schemes or putting fresh twists on old ones. To help you stay ahead of these threats, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently hosted a crucial webinar during National Consumer Protection Week. The event wasn’t about vague warnings; it was a focused briefing on the specific tricks criminals are using right now to separate people from their money and personal information. ...

New iPhone Scam Aims to Drain Bank Accounts: A Practical Guide to Staying Safe Security experts are sounding the alarm about a sophisticated new scam specifically targeting iPhone users. The goal is simple and devastating: to gain access to your online banking and drain your accounts. While the exact mechanics can vary, these scams often exploit the trust we place in our devices and the urgency conveyed in official-looking alerts. This guide breaks down how these scams typically work and, more importantly, provides clear, actionable steps you can take right now to protect your money and personal information. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About the Latest Scam Surge National Consumer Protection Week is designed to empower people with information, and a recent Federal Trade Commission (FTC) webinar served as a critical briefing on the current scam landscape. The session highlighted how fraudsters are refining old tricks and deploying new ones, capitalizing on technology and current events to separate people from their money. While the tactics evolve, the core goal remains the same: to create a sense of urgency, fear, or opportunity that overrides our better judgment. ...

New iPhone Scam Uses Fake Alerts to Target Bank Accounts Security experts are sounding the alarm about a sophisticated new scam specifically targeting iPhone users, designed to trick them into handing over access to their banking apps and sensitive financial information. Reports indicate this scheme can lead to drained accounts if users fall for its convincing tactics. Understanding how this scam works is the first step to ensuring your money stays safe. ...