Don’t Get Fooled: How to Spot and Stop Impersonation Scams Imagine your phone rings. The caller ID shows a familiar government agency’s name, and the person on the line says there’s a serious problem with your Social Security number or a pending arrest warrant. They sound official, even urgent. Your heart races. What do you do? ...
What the FTC Wants You to Know About the Latest Scam Threats During National Consumer Protection Week in March, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a public webinar to outline the scam landscape that is currently troubling Americans. The session served as a timely alert, distilling complex fraud trends into the specific threats consumers are most likely to encounter today. While the tactics are constantly evolving, the core goal remains the same: to trick you out of your money or personal information. ...
Don’t Get Fooled: A Spotlight on Impersonation Scams for Consumer Protection Week National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) arrives every March, serving as a critical reminder to review our defenses against fraud. In 2026, the focus sharpens on one of the most persistent and damaging threats: impersonation scams. These schemes rely on a simple but powerful trick—a fraudster pretending to be someone you trust to steal your money or information. As the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ramps up its annual educational campaign, understanding this specific risk is your first step toward staying safe. ...
Don’t Fall for These 2026 Scam Trends: Practical Advice from an FTC Alert Intro Every day, we’re bombarded with emails, texts, and calls. Most are harmless, but a growing number are sophisticated traps designed to steal your money and personal information. During National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar to spotlight the latest scam trends that are fooling even the most cautious consumers. While the full details of that session aren’t publicly available, the alert serves as a critical reminder that scammers are constantly refining their tactics. Understanding their current playbook is your first and best line of defense. ...
New Survey Shows High Trust in Bank Fraud Protection—Here’s How to Bolster Your Own Defenses A recent national survey from the American Bankers Association (ABA) reveals a notable trend: a strong majority of U.S. consumers are satisfied with their bank’s efforts to protect them from fraud. The Fall 2025 Morning Consult survey indicates that trust in institutional safeguards remains high. ...
Don’t Get Slaughtered: Understanding the “Pig Butchering” Scam You meet someone new online. They’re friendly, charming, and share your interests. Over weeks or months, a digital friendship—or even romance—blossoms. Then, they mention an incredible investment opportunity that’s making them rich. They want to help you get in on it, too. ...
Consumers Are Happy with Bank Fraud Protection—Here’s How to Build on It A recent national survey offers a reassuring snapshot: most Americans are satisfied with their bank’s efforts to protect them from fraud. The Fall 2025 Morning Consult survey, conducted for the American Bankers Association, found that a strong majority of consumers feel their bank is doing a good job safeguarding their accounts and money. ...
The Latest Scams Are Getting Sneakier. Here’s How to Spot Them. During a recent webinar for National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) shed light on the evolving landscape of consumer fraud. The clear takeaway? Scammers are refining their tactics, blending old tricks with new technology to catch people off guard. While the specific details of every scheme shift, the underlying principles of protection remain grounded in vigilance and skepticism. This breakdown translates the FTC’s warnings into practical steps you can use to guard your money and personal information. ...
What a Consumer Survey Reveals About Your Bank’s Fraud Protection A recent national survey conducted by Morning Consult for the American Bankers Association offers a revealing snapshot of consumer sentiment on banking safety. The core finding is clear: a strong majority of U.S. consumers report being satisfied with their bank and, notably, applaud their bank’s fraud protection efforts. This high level of reported trust is encouraging, but it also presents a critical moment for reflection. Trust in your bank’s systems is a good foundation, but it should be the starting point for your security, not the finish line. Understanding what this widespread satisfaction means—and where the potential gaps lie—is key to building a truly resilient personal defense against financial fraud. ...
How to Spot and Stop “Pig Butchering” Scams Before They Cost You A new warning from the New York State Attorney General’s office highlights a disturbing and financially devastating type of fraud on the rise. Known as “Pig Butchering,” these scams have nothing to do with livestock and everything to do with preying on people’s trust and isolating them from their own money. The name, while unusual, is brutally descriptive: scammers “fatten up” a victim with attention and false promises before “butchering” them for every dollar they can get. ...