Identity Theft

National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Recognizing Scams and Taking Action National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 ran from March 1 through March 7, and the Federal Trade Commission used the occasion to release updated guidance on how to spot and avoid common scams. While the official week has passed, the advice remains as relevant as ever—scammers don’t take breaks. Whether you’re an experienced online shopper or helping a family member navigate digital life, understanding the tactics used today can save you money and stress. ...

What the FTC’s Latest Webinar Reveals About Today’s Top Scams National Consumer Protection Week brings a fresh round of warnings and data from the Federal Trade Commission. During a webinar held in early March 2026, FTC staff outlined the scam trends that are hitting consumers hardest right now. If you’ve been wondering which threats deserve your attention—and what you can actually do about them—this recap covers the most actionable takeaways. ...

Fraud Alert for 50+: Impersonation and Tech Scams Are Surging—Here’s How to Stay Safe If you or someone you care for is over 50, it’s worth paying closer attention to scam warnings right now. Fraud cases targeting older adults are climbing sharply, especially scams that use technology to impersonate government agencies, tech support, or even family members. According to recent news reports from CBS News and AARP, the numbers are sobering: more than $258 million was stolen from Floridians aged 50 and older in 2025 alone, and impersonation scams have surged 148 percent nationally, making them the single most common fraud type. ...

Fraud Surge Targeting Older Adults: How to Protect Yourself from Tech Scams Introduction Scammers are increasingly reaching older Americans through phones, emails, and computers. Recent reports from CBS News and AARP show that fraud targeting people over 50 is climbing sharply, with impersonation scams now the most common type. In Florida alone, more than $258 million was stolen from older adults in 2025. While no one is immune, knowing the tactics and taking simple precautions can make a real difference. ...

Gift Card Scams Are Surging: How to Spot Them and Protect Your Money If you receive an unexpected phone call or email demanding payment with a gift card, you are almost certainly being targeted by a scammer. Gift card scams have become one of the most common and costly frauds in the United States, and law enforcement agencies across the country are seeing a sharp increase in reports. The reason is simple: once a gift card code is shared, the money is nearly impossible to recover. ...

National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Key Takeaways to Stay Ahead of Scams National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 ran from March 2 through March 6. If you missed the events or the flurry of online posts, don’t worry—the advice the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) shared remains useful year-round. This article recaps what happened, why it matters even after the week is over, and what concrete steps you can take right now to protect yourself. ...

Account Takeover on the Rise? Here’s How to Protect Your Online Accounts In August 2025, the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection issued an alert about a significant increase in account takeover incidents. If you use online banking, email, social media, or any service that stores personal information, this matters to you. Account takeover is a form of identity theft where criminals gain access to your existing accounts — often by stealing your credentials — and then use them to commit fraud, make unauthorized purchases, or steal additional data. ...

How to Spot Tech Scams Targeting People Over 50 Fraud directed at older adults is increasing sharply, and technology is the primary vehicle. Recent reports from CBS News and AARP show that impersonation scams alone surged 148 percent in the past year, and in Florida, people over 50 lost more than $258 million in 2025. These numbers represent real people who received a phone call, an email, or a pop‑up that sounded urgent and legitimate — and then lost savings in minutes. ...

New Scam Trends from the FTC: What You Need to Know Every year, National Consumer Protection Week serves as a reminder that fraud evolves quickly. During the 2026 event, the Federal Trade Commission held a webinar outlining the latest patterns in consumer scams. The agency also dedicated a separate session to financial schemes that disproportionately affect military personnel and their families. Here’s a practical summary of what was shared and how you can lower your risk. ...

What Is a “Pig Butchering” Scam? How to Spot and Avoid This Devastating Fraud If you receive an unsolicited message on a dating app, social media, or even a text from a “wrong number,” be cautious. That friendly stranger could be a scammer running a “pig butchering” scheme—a hybrid of romance fraud and fake investment opportunities that has cost victims billions. Recent alerts from authorities, including New York Attorney General Letitia James, underscore how widespread and destructive this scam has become. ...