Scams

Staying Ahead of Scammers: Practical Advice for Consumer Protection Week 2026 As we approach National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026, the annual campaign led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is shifting into gear. This event, typically held in March, isn’t just a calendar marker—it’s a concentrated push to equip people with the knowledge to defend their wallets and personal information. The landscape of fraud is always changing, but the core principles of protection remain steady. This year’s initiative underscores a critical message: vigilance is a daily habit, not a one-week event. ...

What Scammers Are Doing Now: Insights from the FTC’s Latest Update Keeping up with scam artists can feel like a full-time job. Just as you learn to spot one scheme, a new one emerges, more sophisticated and convincing than the last. This constant evolution is precisely why the guidance from official sources is so valuable. During the recent National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a timely webinar to shed light on the scam trends that are currently costing consumers the most money and peace of mind. ...

The Scam Landscape for 2026 and How to Navigate It National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), is more than just a calendar event. It’s an annual reminder to pause and take stock of our digital and financial health. As we approach NCPW 2026, the core mission remains unchanged: equipping you with the knowledge to recognize, reject, and report fraud. This year, the threats aren’t necessarily brand new, but their delivery and sophistication continue to evolve. ...

Don’t Get Tricked: How to Spot and Stop Gift Card Scams Gift cards are meant to be simple, convenient presents. But for scammers, they’ve become a favorite tool for stealing money quickly and anonymously. It’s a pervasive problem, prompting consumer protection agencies to issue regular warnings. Recently, Attorney General Brian Schwalb alerted District of Columbia residents about a surge in these schemes, underscoring that this is a national issue anyone could encounter. ...

How to Spot and Stop the Latest Scams This Year A quick message about a missed package or a caller claiming to be from your bank’s “security department”—these everyday interactions are now the frontline of fraud. As scams grow more sophisticated, staying a step ahead isn’t just wise; it’s necessary for protecting your money and identity. ...

How to Spot the Scams That Are Targeting People Right Now The digital world offers incredible convenience, but it also creates fertile ground for fraud. Every year, scammers refine their tactics, creating new schemes or putting fresh twists on old ones. To help you stay ahead of these threats, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently hosted a crucial webinar during National Consumer Protection Week. The event wasn’t about vague warnings; it was a focused briefing on the specific tricks criminals are using right now to separate people from their money and personal information. ...

New iPhone Scam Aims to Drain Bank Accounts: A Practical Guide to Staying Safe Security experts are sounding the alarm about a sophisticated new scam specifically targeting iPhone users. The goal is simple and devastating: to gain access to your online banking and drain your accounts. While the exact mechanics can vary, these scams often exploit the trust we place in our devices and the urgency conveyed in official-looking alerts. This guide breaks down how these scams typically work and, more importantly, provides clear, actionable steps you can take right now to protect your money and personal information. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About the Latest Scam Surge National Consumer Protection Week is designed to empower people with information, and a recent Federal Trade Commission (FTC) webinar served as a critical briefing on the current scam landscape. The session highlighted how fraudsters are refining old tricks and deploying new ones, capitalizing on technology and current events to separate people from their money. While the tactics evolve, the core goal remains the same: to create a sense of urgency, fear, or opportunity that overrides our better judgment. ...

How to Spot and Stop the Latest Scams: A Guide from Consumer Alerts During National Consumer Protection Week, regulators like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ramp up efforts to inform the public. A recent FTC webinar underscored a critical point: while the core goals of scammers remain the same—to steal money and personal information—their methods are constantly evolving. Staying informed about these trends isn’t just helpful; it’s a necessary part of modern financial and digital safety. ...

The Scams You’re Most Likely to Face This Year, According to the FTC With National Consumer Protection Week shining a spotlight on fraud prevention, the Federal Trade Commission recently held a webinar to outline the scam tactics that are currently tricking people most often. While the specific methods may evolve, the core strategies of scammers remain consistent: exploiting trust, creating urgency, and using modern technology to appear legitimate. ...