Scams

Your Practical Guide for a Safer National Consumer Protection Week National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is back, and while it’s a time for education and advocacy, it’s also a reminder of the everyday scams that can target anyone. This year, running from March 1-7, 2026, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is emphasizing the importance of taking proactive steps to guard your personal information and money. The core message is timeless: an informed consumer is the best defense against fraud. ...

Spot and Stop New Scams: Key Takeaways from the FTC’s Latest Alert During National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar to shine a light on the most pervasive scams currently targeting consumers. The discussion wasn’t just a list of complaints; it was a detailed analysis of how fraud is evolving. For anyone who shops online, manages finances digitally, or simply uses email and social media, understanding these trends is the first critical step toward protection. Let’s break down what the FTC highlighted and, more importantly, what you can do about it. ...

National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Your Early Guide to Staying Safe The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has officially announced National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) for 2026. This annual event serves as a critical reminder and resource hub, uniting government agencies and consumer advocacy groups to educate the public on avoiding scams, protecting privacy, and exercising their rights. While the full slate of events and materials for 2026 is still being developed, now is the perfect time to get informed and build your defenses. Proactive awareness is your best tool against fraud. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know for Consumer Protection Week 2026 Every year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leads National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), a nationwide campaign focused on helping people understand their rights and avoid scams. While the specific events and partner materials for NCPW 2026 are still being finalized, the core mission remains constant: to arm consumers with practical knowledge. Based on the FTC’s longstanding priorities and recent alerts, here’s a distillation of the essential, actionable advice you can expect to be central to the conversation next year. ...

A Practical Guide to National Consumer Protection Week 2026 As March approaches, you might start seeing reminders for National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026. This annual event, spearheaded by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), isn’t just a ceremonial calendar note. It’s a concentrated, nationwide effort to arm people with the knowledge and tools they need to defend their wallets and personal information. For anyone who shops online, pays bills, or simply uses digital services, this week serves as a critical checkpoint for your financial health. ...

Your Guide to Staying Safe: Key Lessons from Consumer Protection Week 2026 Every March, a focused effort emerges to help us defend our wallets and personal data: National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). For 2026, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is again at the forefront, providing crucial advice to navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape. This week is more than a reminder—it’s a toolkit. By understanding the prevailing threats and adopting a few key habits, you can build resilience against fraud that lasts all year. ...

National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Your Practical Playbook for Scam Defense As we head into another year, the tactics scammers use to part us from our money and data grow more sophisticated. That’s why the annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), spearheaded by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), is more than just a calendar event—it’s a timely, focused opportunity to shore up your defenses. ...

Utility Scammers Are Calling. Here’s How to Hang Up on Them. If your phone rings with someone claiming to be from a utility commission or your power company, demanding immediate payment to avoid a shutoff, be very careful. It’s likely a scam. Authorities, including state Public Utility Commissions (PUCs), are issuing alerts about a persistent wave of impersonation fraud. The scammers sound convincing, but their goal is simple: to scare you into handing over money or personal information before you have time to think. ...

What National Consumer Protection Week 2026 Means for Your Wallet Every day, it seems there’s a new story about someone losing money to a clever scam. Whether it’s a convincing text about a package delivery or a heart-wrenching plea from a supposed relative, these threats are a constant, unsettling background noise in our digital lives. That’s why events like National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) are more than just a calendar note. ...

Your Guide to Staying Safe: Key Lessons from the FTC’s Consumer Protection Week 2026 The digital landscape is constantly shifting, and with it, the tactics of scammers and fraudsters. That’s why the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is more relevant than ever. As the agency kicks off NCPW 2026, the core message remains urgent: proactive knowledge is your first and best defense. ...