Online Safety

What the FTC’s Latest Scam Warning Means for You Last month, federal regulators held a public webinar to shine a light on the fraud tactics that are costing Americans billions each year. While these events happen regularly, the insights shared during National Consumer Protection Week serve as a critical snapshot of where scammers are focusing their efforts right now. For anyone who banks online, shops on the internet, or simply has a phone, understanding these trends isn’t about fear—it’s about building practical defenses. ...

New York Officials Warn of a Growing Threat: How to Lock Down Your Accounts Before It’s Too Late If you’ve ever felt a jolt of panic after seeing an unfamiliar login notification or a password reset email you didn’t request, you’re not alone. According to a recent alert from the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection, account takeover incidents are on the rise. This isn’t just about someone hacking your social media to post spam; it’s a serious form of identity theft where criminals seize control of your email, bank, or shopping accounts to steal money and personal information. ...

Don’t Get Butchered: How a New Scam Fattens Victims Before the Kill In a recent official alert, New York Attorney General Letitia James warned residents about a ruthless and growing form of financial fraud known as “pig butchering.” The name is as brutal as the crime: scammers spend weeks or months “fattening up” a victim with trust and affection, only to slaughter them financially. This isn’t a quick phishing email; it’s a long con played on human emotion, and it’s emptying bank accounts across the country. ...

How to Spot This Year’s Top Scams: Straight Talk from the FTC It’s easy to feel like scams are a distant threat—something that happens to other people. But fraudsters are constantly refining their tactics, and what worked to protect yourself last year might not be enough today. That’s why the insights from regulators are so valuable. Recently, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to break down the latest scam trends. Their goal wasn’t to scare people, but to arm them with specific, current knowledge. ...

How to Recognize the Newest Scam Tricks, According to the FTC Each year, scam artists refine their tactics, creating new schemes and repackaging old ones with a more convincing veneer. Staying ahead of these threats is a constant challenge for consumers. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a public webinar during National Consumer Protection Week to shed light on the latest fraud trends. The session aimed to arm the public with knowledge, emphasizing that awareness is the first and most powerful line of defense. ...

How to Spot a Pig Butchering Scam Before It’s Too Late It starts with a friendly, unexpected message. Maybe on a dating app, a social media platform, or even via a “wrong number” text. The conversation feels genuine, builds slowly, and a sense of trust develops. But this carefully crafted connection has a singular, devastating goal: to fatten you up financially before the slaughter. This is a “Pig Butchering” scam, and authorities like the New York State Attorney General are urging the public to be on high alert. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Scams National Consumer Protection Week recently featured an important webinar from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), spotlighting the most persistent and emerging fraud tactics of the moment. While scam reports continue at high levels, the conversation shifted from just awareness to practical defense. The patterns are clear: scammers are refining old tricks and exploiting new technologies to appear more convincing than ever. Here’s a breakdown of what they highlighted and, more importantly, what you can do about it. ...

What You Can Learn from National Consumer Protection Week 2026 Every year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leads a coordinated campaign to empower people against scams and fraud. This initiative, National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), is scheduled for early March 2026. While the event itself is a concentrated burst of awareness, the core advice it promotes is valuable every day of the year. The FTC’s message is straightforward: with the right knowledge, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim. ...

National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Your Guide to Fighting Fraud Every year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leads National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) to provide practical advice on how you can outsmart scammers and protect your money and personal information. While the exact details of the 2026 campaign will be outlined by the FTC in March, the core mission remains constant: empowering you with the knowledge to spot fraud and take action. The weeks leading up to NCPW are a perfect time to revisit your defenses. ...

Don’t Get Tricked: Key Takeaways from the FTC’s Latest Scam Report Staying ahead of scammers is a constant challenge, as their tactics shift and evolve with technology and current events. To help the public stay protected, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently held a webinar during National Consumer Protection Week, shedding light on the most prevalent frauds circulating today. For anyone who banks, shops, or communicates online, understanding these trends is the first step toward building a strong defense. ...