Identity Theft

Your Guide to National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Straight Advice from the FTC March marks the arrival of National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), an annual event led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alongside other federal and state agencies. For 2026, the campaign’s core message remains vital: equipping you with the knowledge to spot scams, protect your data, and make informed decisions. It’s a dedicated time to pause and review your personal safety habits in a digital world that grows more complex each year. ...

The Latest Scams and How to Spot Them: Key Takeaways from the FTC Scammers are constantly refining their tactics, making it harder than ever to distinguish a legitimate offer from a sophisticated fraud. During a recent National Consumer Protection Week webinar, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) highlighted the evolving landscape of consumer scams, emphasizing that awareness is the first line of defense. While the details of every emerging scheme shift, the core principles of protection remain grounded in vigilance and skepticism. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams During a recent webinar for National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) shed light on the scam tactics that are currently separating Americans from their money. Their key message? While the platforms and specific stories change, the psychological tricks scammers use remain constant. They rely on creating a sense of urgency, exploiting trust, and pressuring you to act before you think. Understanding the most prevalent trends is your first line of defense. ...

Your Guide to National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Spot Scams and Secure Your Data Every year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) spearheads National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), a dedicated time to empower people with knowledge against fraud and scams. With NCPW 2026 on the horizon, typically scheduled for early March, it’s an ideal moment to focus on the latest threats and the practical tools available to fight them. This week is more than just an awareness campaign; it’s a centralized source of actionable advice from the nation’s primary consumer protection agency. Let’s break down what you can expect and, more importantly, how you can use these resources to build a stronger defense for your finances and personal information. ...

A Guide to Today’s Scam Landscape: What the FTC Wants You to Know As part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently hosted a webinar to shed light on the latest tactics fraudsters are using. While the specific presentation details are in the recording, the consistent message from the FTC is clear: scammers are endlessly adaptable, refining old cons and inventing new ones to exploit current events and our daily habits. ...

Practical Consumer Protection: How to Outsmart Scams in 2026 Every March, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) highlights a simple but crucial idea: an informed consumer is the first line of defense against fraud. With National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 approaching, the focus isn’t on a single event, but on building habits that last all year. The most effective protection isn’t a complicated secret; it’s about recognizing common traps and knowing what to do next. ...

Gift Card Scams Are Costing People Millions. Here’s How to Spot Them. If someone calls, texts, or emails you demanding payment with a gift card, it’s a scam. Full stop. That’s the unequivocal warning from consumer protection agencies nationwide. Recently, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert to District residents, reminding them that legitimate organizations—including government agencies, utilities, or tech support—will never ask you to pay a bill, fee, or fine with a gift card. ...

New Scam Playbook: What the FTC Wants You to Watch For If you feel like you’re hearing about more scams than ever, you’re not imagining it. The latest data confirms a troubling rise, making awareness our first and best line of defense. During a recent National Consumer Protection Week webinar, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) highlighted the evolving tactics scammers are using to separate people from their money and personal information. While the full details of their presentation aren’t publicly published, the discussion centered on the current trends that are proving most effective—and most dangerous—for consumers today. ...

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. ...