NCPW 2026: What the FTC Wants You to Know About Scams and Fraud National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 wrapped up in early March, but the advice from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) remains as relevant as ever. Whether you missed the events or just want a refresher, here’s a clear look at the most important consumer protection tips from this year’s campaign. ...
Attorney General Warning: How to Spot and Avoid Pig Butchering Scams A new consumer alert from the New York Attorney General’s office puts a spotlight on “pig butchering” scams—a particularly cruel form of fraud that combines fake romance with bogus cryptocurrency investments. The term itself is crude but descriptive: scammers “fatten up” their victims with affection and false trust before slaughtering their finances. Understanding how these schemes operate can help you avoid becoming the next target. ...
New Parking Violation Scam: How to Spot Fake Tickets and Avoid Getting Duped If you’ve ever returned to your car to find a parking ticket tucked under the wiper blade, you know the sinking feeling. But a new scam reported by the North Carolina Department of Justice shows that not every ticket is what it seems. The state’s attorney general recently issued a consumer alert about fraudulent parking violation notices that attempt to trick drivers into paying fines that don’t exist. ...
When Scammers Strike, Why Reporting Is Your Best Defense It’s an unsettling reality: a new scam seems to pop up every week. You might get a threatening call from an “IRS agent,” a too-good-to-be-true travel offer, or an alarming message about a fake product recall. The instinct for many is to simply hang up, delete the email, and try to forget about it. After all, you didn’t fall for it. What’s the harm? ...
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. ...
Your Practical Guide to Staying Safer in a World of Scams Every March, agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) highlight National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), a focused effort to arm people with knowledge against fraud. While the event itself is a useful calendar marker, the advice it promotes is crucial year-round. As we look ahead, the landscape of scams isn’t disappearing; it’s evolving. Here’s a straightforward look at how you can protect your finances and personal information. ...
Your Annual Check-Up for Digital Self-Defense is Here National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) rolls around every March, and while it might not have the fanfare of a major holiday, it’s arguably more important for your financial health. For 2026, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is once again leading the charge, turning a spotlight on the practical steps you can take to guard your money and personal information. Think of it less as a bureaucratic observance and more as your annual reminder to audit your digital safety habits. ...
Your Credit, Your Control: Choosing Between a Fraud Alert and a Credit Freeze In an age where data breaches are frustratingly common, taking proactive steps to protect your credit is a cornerstone of financial safety. Two of the most powerful tools at your disposal are the fraud alert and the credit freeze. While they sound similar, they function quite differently. Understanding which one to use—and when—can save you from the headache of identity theft without unnecessarily complicating your financial life. ...
What High Satisfaction with Bank Fraud Protection Means for You A recent survey from the American Bankers Association (ABA), conducted by Morning Consult in Fall 2025, points to a notable trend: a strong majority of U.S. consumers report being satisfied with their bank’s efforts to protect them from fraud. On its face, this is encouraging news. It suggests that the significant investments banks have made in security systems, real-time alerts, and customer education are being recognized. ...
The New Scams to Watch For, According to the FTC’s Latest Update Staying ahead of scammers is a constant challenge. Just as we learn to recognize one scheme, another evolves to take its place. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provided a timely update on this shifting landscape. During a webinar for National Consumer Protection Week in March 2026, the agency highlighted the latest fraud trends exploiting current events and persistent human vulnerabilities. ...