Identity Theft

How Extended Fraud Alerts Can Protect Your Finances—and Even Boost Your Credit If you’ve been a victim of identity theft, one of the first things you’re told is to place a fraud alert on your credit file. It’s a sensible step: it warns lenders to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name. What’s less obvious is that this simple precaution may also have an unexpected side effect—improving your credit score. ...

FTC Webinar Scam Trends: What Consumers Should Know Each year during National Consumer Protection Week (the first full week of March), the Federal Trade Commission releases new data on the fraud landscape. This year’s webinar zeroed in on the scams consumers are most likely to encounter right now—and how to spot them before it’s too late. ...

New Parking Violation Text Scam: What to Do If You Get One If you’ve recently received a text message claiming you owe money for an unpaid parking ticket, you’re not alone. State attorneys general have been issuing fresh warnings about a scam that targets drivers by impersonating parking authorities. The message looks official, often includes the name of a real parking company, and demands immediate payment. But it’s a phishing attempt designed to steal your credit card information. ...

Gift Card Scams Are Surging: How to Spot and Avoid Them Gift cards are convenient, but they’ve also become a favorite tool for scammers. In December 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert warning residents about a spike in gift card fraud. While the alert is aimed at Washington, D.C., the tactics used are widespread, and the advice applies to consumers everywhere. ...

Don’t Get Wrapped Up in a Scam: How to Protect Yourself from Gift Card Fraud Gift cards are meant to be a simple, thoughtful present. Unfortunately, their convenience and ease of use have also made them a favorite tool for scammers. This isn’t just a minor annoyance—it’s a serious and widespread form of fraud that costs consumers millions each year. Recently, Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert specifically warning District residents about the ongoing threat of gift card scams, underscoring the need for public vigilance. ...

Don’t Get Towed by a Fake Ticket: Spotting the New Parking Violation Scam If you drive in North Carolina, be careful about any urgent message claiming you owe money for a parking violation. According to a March 2026 alert from the state’s Department of Justice (NCDOJ), scammers are sending out fake parking tickets to trick drivers into paying up and handing over personal information. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams Staying ahead of scammers can feel like a full-time job. Just as you learn to spot one trick, they invent a new one. That’s why the information shared during National Consumer Protection Week is so valuable. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar to spotlight the latest scam trends, providing a crucial update on what fraudsters are pushing now and how you can defend yourself. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams Staying ahead of scammers is a constant challenge. Their tactics shift with technology and current events, making yesterday’s advice sometimes insufficient for today’s threats. During a recent National Consumer Protection Week webinar, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) highlighted the evolving landscape of fraud, offering crucial insights to help consumers guard their wallets and personal information. Understanding these trends isn’t about fostering fear; it’s about building practical awareness. ...

How to Spot and Stop a “Pig Butchering” Scam You receive a friendly, unexpected message. Maybe it’s on a dating app, social media, or even a wrong-number text. The person on the other end is charming, builds a connection over weeks or months, and eventually starts talking about a fantastic financial opportunity. This slow, calculated process is the hallmark of a “pig butchering” scam, and it’s costing victims their life savings. Recently, New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert specifically warning residents about this sophisticated fraud. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams Staying ahead of scammers is a constant challenge. Their tactics evolve quickly, exploiting new technologies and current events to catch people off guard. That’s why the recent insights from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), shared during National Consumer Protection Week, are so valuable. The agency’s webinar cut through the noise to highlight the specific fraud trends that are currently causing the most harm. By understanding these methods, you can build a stronger defense for your finances and personal information. ...