Online Safety

Beyond the Headlines: A Practical Guide to Stopping Scams Before They Start Every year, National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) serves as a helpful reminder to check our digital defenses. But the truth is, scams don’t take a week off. The persistent threats of impersonation, phishing, and fraud require a year-round mindset. Drawing on the consistent advice from consumer protection agencies, here’s a concrete guide to identifying today’s common tricks and fortifying your personal information. ...

Don’t Get “Fattened Up”: How to Spot and Stop “Pig Butchering” Scams Have you ever received a friendly, unexpected message from a stranger online? Perhaps they liked your social media profile or matched with you on a dating app. The conversation starts normally, builds over weeks or even months, and they earn your trust. Then, subtly, the topic turns to money—a “can’t-miss” investment opportunity or a sudden crisis requiring your financial help. ...

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. ...

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. ...

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. ...

The Latest Scam Tactics and How to Fight Back With scams becoming more sophisticated each year, staying informed isn’t just helpful—it’s a necessary part of protecting your finances and personal information. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar during National Consumer Protection Week to shed light on the newest tactics fraudsters are using. The session provided a clear snapshot of the current threat landscape, highlighting where consumer vigilance is most needed. Understanding these trends is the first step in building an effective defense. ...

A Practical Guide to National Consumer Protection Week How to turn a yearly campaign into lasting online safety habits. National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), happens every year, but its importance only grows as scams become more sophisticated. The 2026 campaign is a focused reminder and a toolkit in one. It’s not just a awareness week; it’s a prompt to take specific, concrete actions to protect your finances and personal data. This guide breaks down how you can actually use the FTC’s resources to build a stronger defense against common threats. ...

Navigating the Latest Scam Landscape: What the FTC Wants You to Know Every March, National Consumer Protection Week serves as a crucial reminder to review our digital safety habits. This year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) used the occasion to host a webinar distilling the most pervasive and evolving scams targeting consumers today. While the tactics may shift, the core principles of defense remain steady: a combination of skepticism, verification, and prompt reporting. ...

Your 2026 Defense Plan: Practical Lessons from Consumer Protection Week It’s that time of year again. As March rolls around, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) kicks off National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), a dedicated period to arm the public with knowledge against scams and fraud. For 2026, the theme remains critical: equipping you with actionable steps to protect your money and identity. While the official events offer valuable insights, the core advice is timeless and urgent. Here’s what you need to know and do, drawn from the proactive spirit of NCPW. ...

Your Practical Guide to Outsmarting Scammers National Consumer Protection Week serves as a timely reminder that our personal information and finances face constant threats. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which spearheads this annual campaign, consistently reports that scams are becoming more sophisticated, often starting with a simple, believable message. The goal isn’t to spread fear, but to equip you with clear, actionable defenses against the most common schemes. ...