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National Consumer Protection Week: What You Need to Know for 2026 Every March, a coordinated effort across the United States turns the spotlight on fraud prevention. National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is a time when government agencies, consumer advocates, and businesses unite to share crucial information on how to spot, avoid, and report scams. With the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leading the charge, the 2026 campaign is shaping up to focus on some of today’s most pervasive threats. ...

Spot and Stop Fake Utility Payment Demands: A Scam Prevention Guide A phone call interrupts your day. The caller insists they’re from your electric or water company, stating your service will be shut off within the hour unless you make an immediate payment. The pressure is intense, and the threat feels real. This is the hallmark of a utility payment scam, and it’s a growing problem. Recently, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) issued a stark reminder to consumers: it does not make unsolicited calls to demand payment. This alert underscores a critical safety message for everyone: you must be able to distinguish between a legitimate call and a sophisticated fraud. ...

How to Spot a Gift Card Scam Before You Lose Your Money It’s a familiar and frightening scenario: a call, text, or email arrives with urgent authority. The person on the other end claims to be from the IRS, a utility company, or a tech support department. They say you owe money, your Social Security number is compromised, or a relative is in jail. The solution they demand is always the same: pay them immediately with gift cards. ...

Your Guide to Staying Safe: What to Know for Consumer Protection Week 2026 Every year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leads National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), a dedicated time to empower people with the knowledge they need to avoid fraud and manage their money wisely. With NCPW 2026 on the horizon, it’s an ideal moment to refresh your defenses. Scammers don’t take a break, and their tactics keep evolving. This week serves as a crucial reminder and a resource hub, focusing on practical steps you can take to protect your finances and personal information. ...

When the “Power Company” Calls Demanding Money It starts with a jarring phone call. The caller ID might even look somewhat official. A stern voice informs you that your electricity or gas bill is seriously overdue, and service will be disconnected within the hour unless you make an immediate payment. They sound convincing, pressuring you with urgency and official-sounding jargon. This is the hallmark of a utility imposter scam, a deceptive scheme that preys on the fear of losing essential services. ...

Your Guide to National Consumer Protection Week 2026: How to Shield Yourself from Scams Next week marks an important event for anyone who buys goods, uses services, or simply goes online: National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). Led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), this annual campaign is designed to arm people with the knowledge they need to avoid fraud and protect their hard-earned money. For NCPW 2026, a central focus is on one of the most pervasive and damaging threats: impersonation scams. ...

A Real Warning About Fake Utility Calls If your phone rings and someone claims to be from the “utility commission” demanding immediate payment to avoid your power being shut off, hang up. It’s a scam. ...

Attorney General Issues Urgent Warning: Gift Card Scams Are Targeting Your Wallet If someone calls, texts, or emails you demanding payment with a gift card, stop. It’s almost certainly a scam. This isn’t just good advice—it’s the core of an official consumer alert recently issued by Attorney General Brian Schwalb to residents of the District of Columbia. The warning highlights a pervasive and financially damaging fraud that continues to trap thousands of people each year. ...

What We Can Learn from National Consumer Protection Week 2026 Every March, a concerted effort takes place across the United States to empower people against fraud. National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is a time when government agencies, consumer advocates, and businesses come together to share vital information. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), a lead organizer, uses this week to highlight the most pressing scams and provide the public with clear, actionable defense strategies. While NCPW 2026 is a future event, the guidance it promotes is grounded in enduring threats that are relevant right now. ...

Don’t Fall for the “Immediate Shut-Off” Scam: How to Spot Fake Utility Calls You’re at home, and the phone rings. The caller ID shows something official, maybe even your local power or water company. A stern voice informs you that your payment is dangerously overdue, service will be disconnected within the hour, and the only way to stop it is to make an immediate payment over the phone using a prepaid debit card or wire transfer. Your heart races. But before you react, you need to know this: it’s almost certainly a scam. ...