Scams

What the FTC Says Scammers Are Doing Right Now For many, the first week of March marks National Consumer Protection Week—a coordinated push by government agencies, consumer advocates, and industries to educate the public. This year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a key webinar highlighting the most pervasive and evolving scam trends. While the specific data points from that session aren’t fully public, the consistent message from such events is clear: scammers are refining their tactics to exploit current events, technology, and human psychology. Staying a step ahead means understanding these patterns. ...

The New Scam Playbook: What Fraudsters Are Trying Now Staying safe online isn’t about being paranoid; it’s about being prepared. Scammers constantly refine their tactics, exploiting new technologies and current events to catch us off guard. Recently, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to spotlight the latest trends in fraud. The message was clear: while the classic scams still circulate, criminals are deploying more sophisticated and convincing methods. Understanding these new schemes is your first line of defense. ...

A Practical Guide to Spotting Consumer Fraud When a court system issues a statewide alert, it’s time to pay attention. In March 2026, the Philadelphia Courts put out a consumer fraud warning for all of Pennsylvania, signaling that scams are active and evolving. While the specifics of every scheme in the alert aren’t fully detailed, such notices typically arise from a surge in reports involving identity theft, phishing, and financial deception. For consumers, the core message is always the same: heightened vigilance is required right now. ...

Scammers Are Refining Their Playbook: What an FTC Webinar Wants You to Know Every day, it seems there’s a new, more convincing story crafted to part you from your money or personal information. The bad actors are constantly updating their scripts, and keeping up can feel overwhelming. That’s why recent efforts by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are so crucial. During this year’s National Consumer Protection Week in early March, the FTC hosted a webinar aimed squarely at pulling back the curtain on the latest tactics. While the full, detailed transcript isn’t public, reports from attendees, including ACA International, highlight a clear message: the core schemes are evolving, not disappearing, and they’re becoming more sophisticated in the process. ...

Statewide Alert: How to Recognize and Respond to Fake Texting Scams A recent consumer fraud alert issued by the Philadelphia Courts is warning residents across Pennsylvania about a surge in deceptive texting schemes. While these alerts are often rooted in specific jurisdictions, the tactics they highlight are a problem everywhere. These texts are designed to look legitimate, often impersonating government agencies, banks, or familiar services, with the sole aim of stealing your personal information or money. ...

Staying Ahead of Scams: Key Takeaways from the FTC’s Latest Update With every passing year, scammers refine their tactics, making it crucial to stay informed. During a recent National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to shed light on the most pressing fraud trends affecting consumers today. This annual focus provides a timely reminder to review our habits and learn how to better shield ourselves from increasingly sophisticated schemes. ...

The FTC’s New Scam Alert: What You Need to Know Now During the recent National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted an important public webinar. The goal was straightforward: to cut through the noise and highlight the specific fraud tactics that are currently ensnaring people. While the full transcript offers detailed case studies, the core message is a critical reminder that scammers are constantly refining their methods, and our defenses need to evolve too. ...

Scammers Are Getting Sneakier: What You Need to Know Now In early March, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar to spotlight the latest tricks in a fraudster’s playbook. The core message was clear: while the ultimate goals of stealing money or personal data haven’t changed, the tactics are evolving rapidly to exploit current events, new technologies, and human psychology. For anyone who banks online, shops on the internet, or simply uses email, understanding these trends isn’t just academic—it’s a necessary part of protecting your wallet and your identity. ...

That Urgent Text Might Be a Scam: How to Spot the Latest Fraud Alert A recent consumer alert from the Philadelphia Courts has put a spotlight on a dangerous trend: sophisticated texting scams designed to steal your personal and financial information. While the alert is statewide, the threat it warns about is national. These “smishing” (SMS phishing) attacks impersonate trusted institutions to create a false sense of urgency, tricking people into clicking malicious links or divulging sensitive data. ...

What We Learned from the FTC’s Latest Scam Prevention Webinar Every year, National Consumer Protection Week serves as a crucial reminder to review our digital defenses. This past March, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a timely webinar to outline the most pressing scam trends they’re tracking. While the full webinar details are hosted on their official channels, the key warnings provide a vital snapshot of how fraud is evolving and what you can do about it. ...