Phishing

How Seniors Can Spot and Avoid Tech-Related Scams: A Consumer Alert Recent reports have highlighted a troubling trend: fraud cases targeting people aged 50 and older are on the rise, and scammers are increasingly using technology to reach their victims. A CBS News story published in late April 2026 underscored the urgency of this issue, noting that older Americans are being hit by a wave of high-tech schemes that can be difficult to recognize. This article explains what’s happening, why it matters, and what you can do to protect yourself or a loved one. ...

Latest Scam Trends from the FTC: Protect Yourself from These Common Frauds Every March, the Federal Trade Commission uses National Consumer Protection Week to release fresh data on the scams hitting Americans hardest. This year’s webinar, held during the first week of March 2026, offered a detailed look at what fraudsters are doing right now and how consumers can spot the patterns before losing money. The trends are not entirely new, but the methods are shifting in ways that make them harder to recognize. ...

Fraud Targeting Older Adults by Phone and Online Is Surging – What to Watch For Recent reports from AARP and CBS News underscore a troubling trend: technology‑enabled fraud against people age 50 and older is rising sharply. According to AARP, Floridians over 50 lost more than $258 million to scams in 2025 alone. Nationwide figures are likely higher, though exact numbers are still being collected. This consumer alert explains what’s happening, why older adults are a frequent target, and what you can do to reduce your risk. ...

Account Takeover on the Rise? Here’s How to Protect Your Online Accounts In August 2025, the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection issued an alert about a significant increase in account takeover incidents. If you use online banking, email, social media, or any service that stores personal information, this matters to you. Account takeover is a form of identity theft where criminals gain access to your existing accounts — often by stealing your credentials — and then use them to commit fraud, make unauthorized purchases, or steal additional data. ...

Three Emerging Scam Trends from the FTC’s National Consumer Protection Week Webinar Every March, the Federal Trade Commission uses National Consumer Protection Week to highlight the latest fraud tactics hitting consumers. This year’s webinar, held in early March 2026, focused on three scam trends that are growing quickly: AI-powered impersonation, fake delivery notifications, and QR code phishing. If you’ve received a suspicious call, text, or QR code lately, knowing how these scams work can help you avoid losing money or personal information. ...

Top Scam Trends from the FTC’s Latest Webinar — and How to Protect Yourself Every year during National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission holds a webinar to brief the public on emerging fraud threats. This year’s session, which took place in early March 2026, focused on several trends that are costing Americans billions. If you missed the event, here is a clear summary of what was discussed and concrete steps you can take now to avoid becoming a victim. ...

What the FTC’s Latest Scam Data Means for You Every year during National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission takes the opportunity to give the public a clearer picture of what fraud looks like right now. This year, a webinar hosted by the FTC and covered by ACA International laid out the scam trends that consumers should be paying attention to in 2026. If you’ve felt like the calls and messages are getting more convincing, you’re not wrong—the tactics are evolving. ...

Phony Parking Tickets: How to Spot the New NC Scam If you get a text or email saying you owe money for a parking violation in North Carolina, think twice before clicking any link. The state’s Attorney General has issued a warning about a scam that’s circulating right now, and it’s designed to look like an official notice from local parking authorities. ...

Don’t Get Duped by Fake Parking Tickets – A New Scam Is Targeting Drivers If you get a text or email saying you owe a parking fine and need to pay immediately, do not click the link. A wave of phishing scams is impersonating state DMVs and parking authorities, and the North Carolina Department of Justice has issued an official consumer alert. Similar schemes have appeared in other states, often following the launch of digital payment systems for parking or toll violations. Here is what you need to know to spot the fraud and protect your money. ...

New Parking Violation Scam Targets Drivers: How to Spot the Fake Ticket If you’ve parked in a public lot or on a street in North Carolina recently and returned to find a ticket on your windshield, you might want to take a second look before reaching for your wallet. The North Carolina Department of Justice (NCDOJ) issued a consumer alert in March 2026 warning of a new parking violation scam that uses fake tickets to trick drivers into paying bogus fines. ...