Skip to main content

Scam-proof your life

February 24, 2026

Simply put, consumer protection means knowing how businesses should treat you and having the tools to protect yourself from financial harm. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you are in life. Being an informed consumer protects your identity, keeps your money in your pocket, and makes you more confident with your financial decisions.

FTC, a great resource to know

The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) mission is to protect the public from deceptive or unfair business practices and from unfair methods of competition through law enforcement, advocacy, research, and education. This website is jam-packed with advice and has a place for you to report an incident. The information is broken down into the following categories:

  • Shopping & Donating 
  • Credit, Loans, Debt
  • Jobs & Education
  • Those unwanted calls, texts, and emails
  • Identity Theft & Online Security 
  • Scams

Choose your Chapter!

Scam Protection for Recent High School Graduates 

Taking the First Steps Into Real-World Money

  • Protect your personal information. DO NOT share your Social Security Number, banking information, or passwords with anyone through email, text, or social media.
  • Watch out for scams targeted towards high school students and young adults. The saying goes, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Be careful when looking at job offers and scholarship opportunities. When in doubt, don’t click the link. Do some research, like a Google search, to verify 
  • Understand contracts before signing. Whether it’s a phone plan, streaming services, or something in between, read the fine print to know about the fees, cancellation rules, and what you’re committing to. 

Scam Protection for Your Professionals

Building Financial Independence, Paychecks, and Credit Histories 

  • Double-check your paystubs and benefits. Sometimes jobs make mistakes. Review your pay stubs to make sure the hours, pay rate, taxes, and benefits deductions are correct. 
  • Monitor your credit regularly. Checking your credit report helps you catch weird or suspicious activity early. You can check it for free from the three major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) once a year by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com. If you find something on their that shouldn’t be, contact that reporting agency. 
  • Build strong digital security habits. Don’t use the same password for everything. Set up two-factor authentication for your bank, email accounts, or when you’re online shopping. Change your password every 3 – 6 months, especially on your high-risk accounts like your email or bank account.

Scam Protection for Young Families, Couples & Fur Parents

Balancing Careers, Kids/ Pets, Bills, and Major Life Decisions

  • Slow down and do research. Before making a big purchase, don’t go off impulse. Read reviews and compare to learn more about other people’s experiences. Make sure to read over the return and warranty policies before buying so you know what you’re getting yourself into. A good rule is to have at least 3 options and sleep on it. Being forced to make a decision fast can be a red flag. 
  • Watch out for “urgent family” scams. Scammers pretend to be schools, vets, and utility companies to pressure families to pay for services immediately. Pause and verify before paying. 
  • Know your rights! If a company charges unexpected fees or changes the terms without notice or refuses a refund, you have the right to ask questions and file a complaint. 

Call to Action

Consumer protection starts with awareness and grows through action. No matter your life stage, taking small steps like reviewing the fine print, asking questions, and slowing down big decisions can help protect your money and your peace of mind. This month, choose one tip from above and put it into practice. Future you will thank you.