Growing Green Savings Challenge: Protect and Build! National Consumer Protection Week

Our Savings Challenge is about keeping it simple and staying consistent. Save a little. Check in on your spending. Pay attention to your habits. Small steps done regularly can make a big difference over time. But saving is only one side of the equation.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers lost over $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, a 25% increase from the year before. More than $5.7 billion of that came from investment scams, and nearly $2.95 billion from imposter scams. Those numbers aren’t small, and they show how quickly financial progress can disappear.

Fraud can undo months of progress in a matter of minutes. That’s why protection is part of this challenge, too. Taking simple steps to secure your accounts and understand how scams work helps make sure the money you’re building doesn’t disappear because of something preventable.

Here are a few easy things you can do this week:

• Review your account alerts and security settings
• Take a few minutes to learn how government-imposter scams operate
• Have a quick conversation with family members about common scam red flags
• Refresh old passwords and enable multi-factor authentication wherever possible

These quick actions support the whole point of the challenge: building smart habits that support long-term financial stability.

What’s happening this week!

Federal Trade Commission — National Consumer Protection Week

National Consumer Protection Week is a nationwide effort to help people understand their rights and avoid scams. The FTC is sharing webinars, guides, and ready-to-use materials that break down how scams happen, how to report them, and what to do if you think you’ve been targeted. The information is practical, clear, and designed for everyday consumers.

Social Security Administration — “Slam the Scam” Day (March 5, 2026)

“Slam the Scam” Day focuses specifically on government-imposter scams. The SSA and its Office of the Inspector General explain how scammers pretend to be government agencies — and, just as importantly, how the real SSA actually communicates with the public. Knowing the difference makes it much easier to spot a red flag before any damage is done. #SlamtheScam

Both efforts are a good reminder that protecting your money is part of building it.

Why This Matters for Your Savings

Financial progress isn’t just about how much you set aside. It’s about keeping what you’ve worked hard to earn. When you combine consistent saving habits with strong account security and scam awareness, you’re building a more stable financial foundation.
Keep saving. Keep learning. And keep protecting the progress you’ve made!

➡️Find out all about SFCU’s 2026 Growing Green Savings Challenge here!

This information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial or legal advice. Information pulled from ftc.gov & ssa.gov.