Scam Prevention

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. ...

National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Your Guide to the FTC’s Free Resources Every March, the Federal Trade Commission spearheads National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), a coordinated campaign to help people understand their consumer rights and spot modern scams. For 2026, the FTC has begun its outreach, encouraging consumers to “get ready” and “start planning” to participate. While the full schedule of events and specific 2026 materials are still forthcoming, the agency’s consistent yearly focus provides a reliable blueprint for what to expect and how you can benefit. ...

The “Pig Butchering” Scam: How Fraudsters Fatten Victims Before the Slaughter You receive a friendly, unexpected message. It might be on a dating app, social media, or even via a seemingly wrong-number text. The person on the other end is charming, builds rapport over weeks, and eventually shares a secret: they’ve made incredible profits through an online investment platform. They offer to help you do the same. This is the opening act of a “pig butchering” scam—a ruthless long-con where victims are emotionally “fattened up” with trust before their finances are slaughtered. ...

How to Recognize and Resist Phishing Scams You’ve probably heard the term “phishing” before. It’s that sneaky feeling when an email from your “bank” asks you to click a link to verify your account, or when a text message about a missed package delivery seems just a bit off. At its core, phishing is a type of online scam where criminals pretend to be a trusted person or organization to trick you into giving up sensitive information—like passwords, credit card numbers, or Social Security details—or into installing malicious software on your device. ...

What You Can Learn from the FTC’s Latest Scam Report Consumer fraud is a constant, but the tactics change. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar during National Consumer Protection Week to highlight the current landscape. While their full findings offer detailed insights, we can break down the key trends and, more importantly, what they mean for your daily safety. ...

A Practical Guide from the FTC’s 2026 Consumer Protection Week National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is more than just a calendar note from the Federal Trade Commission. It’s a concentrated effort to arm everyday people with the knowledge to fight back against the scams and frauds that are increasingly common in our digital lives. For 2026, the FTC is continuing this mission, providing clear, actionable advice that moves beyond simple warnings. ...

That “Official” Government Call Demanding Payment? It’s Probably a Scam. An official-sounding phone call from a government agency can be intimidating. The caller knows your name, cites a case number, and insists you owe a fine or risk immediate arrest. This high-pressure tactic is the hallmark of a widespread and effective scam, and state officials are warning the public to stay vigilant. ...

Your Action Guide for National Consumer Protection Week 2026 National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 is here, running from March 1-7. Led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), this week is a dedicated push to empower you with the knowledge to spot, avoid, and report scams. Each year, fraudsters refine their tactics, making consumer vigilance more critical than ever. This guide cuts through the noise with direct, actionable advice based on the FTC’s consumer resources, helping you secure your finances and personal information. ...