WNY News Now

(WNY News Now) – As National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) runs from March 3 to March 9, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and partner organizations are gearing up for a series of virtual events, offering valuable insights to help individuals safeguard against fraud, identity theft, and scams.

National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) serves as an annual initiative to raise awareness about consumer rights, educate the public on avoiding fraud, and provide valuable resources to combat scams. This year’s events, spanning from March 3 to March 9, are designed to empower individuals with knowledge about protecting themselves in various aspects of consumer life.

All Week: Engage with the FTC on Twitter (@FTC) and Facebook for a wealth of resources and advice on steering clear of frauds and scams. Additionally, explore The Fraudian Slip podcast, where FTC staff shares crucial information on avoiding and recovering from identity theft, complemented by new language access resources. Watch the City of Palmdale’s video series featuring FTC staff, providing insights on recognizing and evading scams.

Monday, March 4:

• 2pm ET/1pm CT/11am PT: FTC hosts a webinar on identity theft and college students, offering information on prevention and recovery, with free publications available for campus distribution.
• 10am CT: Join the FTC, Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, and the BBB of Chicago for a webinar focusing on the top scams affecting consumers and small businesses.
• 11:30am ET/10:30am CT/8:30am PT: A Spanish-language webinar with the FTC and Qualitas of Life delves into how small businesses and entrepreneurs can avoid scams and safeguard their networks.

Wednesday, March 6:

• 1pm ET/12pm CT/10am PT: Collaborative webinar by the FTC, CFPB, and SEC, guiding older adults on recognizing and avoiding fraud.
• 1pm ET/12pm CT/10am PT: Multilingual webinar by the FTC, CFPB, Consumer Action, and other organizations, providing insights for diverse communities to identify, avoid, and report fraud.
• 1pm ET/12pm CT/10 am PT: Join the FTC and IRS for a webinar on steering clear of tax-related identity theft.

Thursday, March 7:

• 1pm ET/12pm CT/10am PT: NCPW Twitter/X chat (in Spanish) with @laFTC offers advice on avoiding common scams. Follow using the hashtag #NCPW2024.
• 3pm ET/2pm CT/12pm PT: NCPW Twitter/X chat (in English) with @FTC provides advice on avoiding common scams. Follow using the hashtag #NCPW2024.
• 3pm ET/2pm CT/12pm PT: Facebook Live conversation by the FTC, USPIS, and AARP Fraud Watch Network discusses veterans and fraud.

Friday, March 8:

• 9:45am ET/8:45am CT/6:45am PT: Facebook Live by the FTC and AARP Fraud Watch Network introduces the FTC’s new resources in multiple languages, supplementing English and Spanish.

Participating in NCPW empowers individuals with tools to enhance their financial literacy, secure their online presence, and navigate the consumer landscape more effectively. Stay tuned for these virtual events, and join the conversation using #NCPW2024 on social media to share insights and learn from others. Protecting consumers is a collective effort, and NCPW 2024 aims to fortify individuals against the evolving challenges of fraud and scams.