March 1-7, 2026 is National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). This is a time dedicated to talk about fraud, scams, and consumer rights. In an effort to provide more education to our customers, all the branches are now equipped literature on various frauds and scams, along with information on how to freeze your credit, and contact information. NCPW is led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and this years focus is on how to Avoid, Report, and Recover from scams. Thursday, March 5, is Slam the Scam day! Led by the Social Security Administration (SSA), this day is set aside to raise awareness on SSA and other government imposter scams. Fraud and scams continue to evolve, finding new ways to target people every day. While the scammer’s tactics may change, the end goal is always the same: stealing money and personal information from unsuspecting victims in order to fraudulently obtain financial gain. We need to always be fraud aware! Let’s look at the aspects of NCPW and see what we can do to Avoid, Report, Recover.
🚫AVOID
- Recognize the red flags. Scammers use scare tactics to create a sense of urgency, pretend to be from trusted organizations, ask for personal information, and demand payment in unusual methods. If someone is pressuring you to act quickly, trying to get your info or passwords, or asking you to pay in crypto, gift cards, or wires, you can be certain you are being scammed. The FTC warns that legitimate organizations will not press you to pay immediately or ask for sensitive information through unsolicited calls, emails, or text messages.
- Verify BEFORE you act. If you receive a suspicious call text or email, never click any links or download attachments. Always look up the official phone number or website of the company the scammer is pretending to be and contact them directly to confirm. It is a good idea to involve someone you trust and have them help you through any situation you don’t quite know how to navigate on your own.
- Strengthen your digital security. Always use strong unique passwords or passphrases and enable two factor authentication when available. Keep your devices updated and monitor your bank and credit card statements regularly. Instead of just throwing away documents that contain sensitive information, shred them.
- Talk about it! Open lines of communication with friends and family are key in prevention. Discuss common scams, especially with older adults, young people just starting out in life, and anyone else you think may be vulnerable.
🧾🕵️♂️REPORT
- Report scams to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov
- Report Social Security related scams to the SSA office or the Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov/report.
- Notify your bank or credit card companies immediately if you give out your information.
- Even if you did not lose money, reporting attempted scams will help protect others.
❤️🩹RECOVER
- If you believe you’ve been scammed act quickly to secure your accounts. Contact your financial institution to close any affected debit cards or accounts and change passwords.
- Place a free fraud alert or credit freeze with the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion.
- Document everything! Keep records of any communications, transactions, or reports filed. This can help to resolve disputes or support investigations.
- Seek emotional support. Being scammed can feel embarrassing or overwhelming. After all, they are designed to manipulate trust and emotion. By getting guidance from trusted family members or counselors you can regain confidence and control over your life.
Fraud prevention is all about awareness and action. Knowledge is your strongest defense and sharing it with others makes everyone safer. Let’s strive to be fraud aware everyday not just National Consumer Protection Week. To learn more about NCPW, Slam the Scam, and any other areas of fraud please visit the Federal Trade Commission website, ftc.gov. Stay safe out there and have a happy fraud free weekend!
Tara Montgomery
Exchange Bank of Alabama
Fraud Specialist
(256) 691-0328
