Scams

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. ...

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. ...

What You Need to Know About Today’s Top Scams: Insights from the FTC Scams aren’t what they used to be. The classic email from a “foreign prince” has evolved into a complex array of schemes that are harder to spot and increasingly costly. During the recent National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to shed light on the latest fraud trends. While the specific transcript isn’t public, the FTC’s consistent messaging and partnership with organizations like ACA International highlight the urgent, current threats targeting consumers. ...

New Scam Alerts: What the FTC Wants You to Watch For Scammers are relentless innovators. Just as we get wise to one trick, they refine their tactics or invent a new one, capitalizing on current events, new technologies, and our daily habits. Staying a step ahead can feel like a full-time job. Fortunately, regulators are paying close attention. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a public webinar during National Consumer Protection Week to highlight the latest scam trends they’re seeing. The goal wasn’t to scare people, but to arm them with knowledge. ...

The New Scams on the Block: What the FTC Wants You to Watch For Each year, scams cost Americans billions of dollars and countless hours of stress. The schemes are always changing, adapting to new technologies and current events. That’s why the recent National Consumer Protection Week is so important—it’s a focused effort to arm the public with the latest knowledge. As part of this, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar highlighting the most prevalent and effective scam trends they’re seeing right now. For anyone who banks online, shops on their phone, or simply has an email address, understanding these trends is your first line of defense. ...