Scams

Your Guide to National Consumer Protection Week 2026 It’s that time of year again: National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is on the horizon for 2026. This isn’t just another calendar note from the government. For a week each year, spearheaded by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alongside a coalition of partners, the spotlight shines directly on empowering you with the knowledge to fight fraud, secure your identity, and navigate the digital marketplace safely. ...

Don’t Get Played: A Realistic Guide to Spotting, Stopping, and Recovering from Scams It feels like a weekly occurrence: a new text about a missed delivery, an urgent call from “your bank,” or a too-good-to-be-true investment offer. Fraud isn’t just annoying; it’s costly and emotionally draining. Recent reports, including a series from Investopedia, highlight a sobering reality: identity theft spiked by 50% over the last two tax seasons, and scammers are now wielding artificial intelligence to create frighteningly convincing fakes. ...

What National Consumer Protection Week 2026 Means for Your Wallet National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is back, and for 2026, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is sounding the alarm on the scams that are increasingly finding their way into our daily lives. This annual event, which takes place in early March, is more than just a government initiative—it’s a crucial reminder to pause and review the habits that keep our personal information and finances secure. While the specific themes for NCPW 2026 are still being finalized, the FTC’s consistent focus points to the ongoing threats that demand our attention right now. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams In early March, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to brief the public on the most pressing fraud trends of the moment. The goal was straightforward: to arm everyday people with the knowledge to recognize and stop scams before they cause harm. As our financial and social lives become increasingly digital, the tactics used by scammers evolve in parallel, making this kind of timely advice more critical than ever. ...

Staying Safe in a World of Scams: A Practical Guide to Protecting Yourself It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Recent data shows that identity theft has surged by 50% over just the past two tax seasons, a stark reminder that financial predators are more active than ever. But you are not powerless. While the threats are evolving—now including AI-generated voices and convincing deepfakes—the core principles of defense remain grounded in vigilance and smart habits. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams Last month, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a timely webinar to outline the most pressing fraud threats facing consumers right now. These events are critical because scam tactics don’t stay static; they evolve to exploit new technologies and current events. The FTC’s latest briefing serves as a crucial update, moving beyond the well-known schemes to highlight how fraud is adapting. For anyone who shops online, manages finances, or simply uses email and text messaging, understanding these trends is the first step toward effective defense. ...

Don’t Get Played: A Practical Guide to Modern Scams It’s not your imagination—scams are getting more frequent and sophisticated. Recent data shows identity theft alone surged by 50% over the past two tax seasons. Meanwhile, new tools like AI are making fraud harder to spot, with cloned voices and deepfake videos entering the criminal toolkit. Protecting yourself isn’t just about being skeptical; it’s about understanding the new rules of the game. This guide breaks down how to recognize today’s threats, build practical defenses, and know exactly what to do if you’re targeted. ...

How to Spot and Stop Scams: A Practical Guide to Protecting Your Money It’s not your imagination—scams are getting more sophisticated and more frequent. Recent reports note a troubling 50% increase in identity theft over the past two tax seasons, while AI-generated scam calls and deepfakes are moving from sci-fi concepts into our daily lives. The goal of a scammer is simple: to create a compelling illusion that triggers a quick, emotional reaction, bypassing your logical defenses. ...

Your Guide to National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Spot Scams and Protect Yourself Every year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leads National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) to cut through the noise and give people straightforward tools to fight back against fraud. While the official events for NCPW 2026 are still being planned, the core mission remains urgent: equipping you with knowledge is your first line of defense. ...

A Proactive Guide to National Consumer Protection Week 2026 As we head toward March 2026, consumer protection agencies are preparing for the annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). Spearheaded by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), this week serves as a crucial, coordinated reminder to review our habits and reinforce our defenses against scams that constantly evolve to exploit new technologies and anxieties. The core message remains timeless: informed consumers are the first line of defense. This year’s focus underscores practical steps anyone can take to protect their finances, personal information, and peace of mind. ...