Investment Scams on Facebook and Instagram: How to Spot Them and Stay Safe If you’re active on Facebook or Instagram, you’ve probably seen posts or messages promoting a “guaranteed” investment opportunity. Maybe it’s a crypto trading platform that promises triple your money in a week. Or a direct message from someone claiming to be a trusted financial advisor with a limited-time offer. ...
How to Spot a Gift Card Scam: Advice from D.C.’s Attorney General Gift card scams are one of the most common ways fraudsters steal money from consumers. In December 2025, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert warning District residents about these schemes, which continue to evolve in sophistication. Whether you live in Washington, D.C., or elsewhere, understanding how these scams work and what to do if you’re targeted can save you from losing hundreds or thousands of dollars. ...
Investing on Facebook or Instagram? New Warning About Scams to Watch For Intro If you’ve ever been messaged out of the blue on Facebook or Instagram with a “can’t miss” investment opportunity, you are not alone. Scammers are increasingly using Meta’s platforms to pitch fake stock tips, cryptocurrency schemes, and “guaranteed” returns. Recently, the Maryland Attorney General’s office issued a consumer alert about this exact trend. Here’s what you need to know to keep your money safe. ...
Your Guide to Avoiding Scams: Lessons from National Consumer Protection Week 2026 Every year in early March, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) runs National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) to remind people how to spot fraud and safeguard their money and identity. This year was no different. But the advice the FTC publishes during that week is not meant to be forgotten once the campaign wraps up. Scams evolve, but the patterns that make them work stay the same. If you missed NCPW 2026 — or just want a refresher you can come back to all year — this guide covers the scams that were hitting hardest in 2026 and the steps you can take right now to protect yourself. ...
How to Spot and Avoid Gift Card Scams: Warning Signs and What to Do Scammers have a simple, effective playbook: they ask you to pay with gift cards. It works because gift cards are nearly impossible to trace, and once you hand over the code on the back, the money is gone. In December 2025, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert warning District residents about a surge in these scams. The alert is a good reminder for all of us: gift cards are for gifts, not for paying bills, taxes, or fines. ...
Gift Card Scams: How to Spot Them and What to Do If You’ve Been Targeted Introduction In mid-December 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a consumer alert warning residents about a surge in gift card scams. The alert underscores a simple but critical fact: no legitimate business, government agency, or utility company will ever demand payment in the form of gift cards. Yet these scams continue to cost Americans hundreds of millions of dollars each year, with older adults frequently among the hardest hit. Understanding how they work—and knowing exactly what to do if you or someone you know is targeted—can prevent financial harm. ...
FTC Webinar Reveals Top Scam Trends: What Consumers Need to Know Every year, the Federal Trade Commission hosts a series of webinars during National Consumer Protection Week to share the latest data on fraud and provide practical advice. In March 2026, the FTC presented its most recent scam trends, offering a snapshot of what consumers are facing and how to stay safe. A separate webinar specifically addressed financial scams targeting military members and veterans. Here’s a breakdown of what was covered and what it means for your everyday decisions. ...
National Consumer Protection Week 2026: FTC’s Top Tips to Stay Safe Every year, the Federal Trade Commission runs National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) to help people recognize scams and protect their money and personal information. This year marks the 26th annual event, and the FTC has published its usual round of free resources at ftc.gov/ncpw. Whether you have already been targeted by a scam or just want to be more prepared, the advice is straightforward and worth reviewing. ...
Gift Card Scams: How They Work and How to Avoid Them In December 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert warning residents about a surge in gift card scams. The announcement is a useful reminder for consumers everywhere because this type of fraud rarely respects state lines. Gift card scams have become one of the most frequently reported fraud types to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and they tend to spike around the holidays when many people are buying and using gift cards anyway. ...
National Consumer Protection Week 2026: How to Protect Yourself From Scams Every year, the Federal Trade Commission organizes National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) to help people spot, avoid, and report fraud. The 2026 edition ran from March 2 through March 6, but the guidance from the FTC is designed to last far beyond those five days. Whether you missed the event or want to revisit its key messages, the core advice remains relevant throughout the year—and useful for planning ahead for the next NCPW. ...