Gift Card Scams Are Everywhere: How to Spot Them and What to Do If someone you don’t know demands payment with a gift card, it is almost certainly a scam. Gift cards are meant for giving, not for paying taxes, bail, utility bills, or tech support. Yet scammers continue to rely on them because once the card number and PIN are shared, the money is gone and nearly impossible to recover. ...
New Scam Trends Identified in FTC Webinar – What to Watch For During National Consumer Protection Week in early March 2026, the Federal Trade Commission held a webinar that outlined the most pressing scam threats facing consumers. The session, which was also covered by ACA International, offered a snapshot of current fraud patterns and practical ways to avoid them. If you are worried about identity theft or losing money to a scam, the following trends and tips are worth knowing. ...
Lessons from National Consumer Protection Week 2026: FTC Advice That’s Still Worth Following National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 came and went in early March, but the advice the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) put out during that week is the kind that doesn’t expire. If you missed the official campaign, or even if you saw parts of it, the core messages about spotting scams and protecting your personal information are worth revisiting. ...
Gift Card Scams: How to Spot Them and What to Do Right Now Introduction Gift cards make convenient presents, but scammers have turned them into one of the most widely used payment methods for fraud. In December 2025, Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert warning Washington D.C. residents about the persistent threat of gift card scams. The official notice reminds consumers that no legitimate government agency, business, or utility company will ever demand payment in the form of gift cards. If you encounter such a request, it’s almost certainly a scam. ...
NCPW 2026: What to Keep from the Campaign After the Week Is Over National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 wrapped up in early March, but the advice the Federal Trade Commission promoted during that week is meant to last all year. If you missed the campaign or only caught parts of it, here’s a rundown of what was covered and—more importantly—what you can still do with that information today. ...
How to Spot and Avoid Gift Card Scams: A New Alert from D.C.’s Attorney General In mid-December 2025, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a consumer alert warning District residents about a surge in gift card scams. The alert is short, but it underscores a problem that drains hundreds of millions of dollars from Americans every year. The tactics scammers use are remarkably consistent—and once you know them, they become much easier to spot. ...
Latest Scam Trends From the FTC: What You Need to Know Now National Consumer Protection Week came and went in early March, but the information shared during the Federal Trade Commission’s webinars remains relevant. Scammers don’t take breaks, and the tactics they use keep shifting. If you missed the FTC’s briefings, here’s a summary of the key scam trends they highlighted and what you can do to protect yourself. ...
Top scams to avoid right now: FTC’s 2026 consumer protection guide National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 ran from March 2 to March 6, and the Federal Trade Commission used the occasion to update its advice on the most common scams affecting Americans. The timing is no accident: scams tend to spike during tax season and around major holidays, so having a clear, up-to-date picture of what fraud looks like can help you avoid losing money or personal information. ...
Gift Card Scams: How to Spot Them and What to Do (Official Alert) Introduction Gift card scams remain one of the most persistent frauds targeting consumers across the United States. In December 2025, the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia issued a consumer alert about this exact threat. The alert, signed by Attorney General Brian Schwalb, warns District residents that scammers are increasingly demanding payment via gift cards and outlines steps to avoid becoming a victim. While the alert is specific to Washington, DC, the tactics described are used nationwide, and the advice applies to anyone who uses gift cards or digital payments. ...
NCPW 2026 Recap: The Scams You Need to Watch Right Now National Consumer Protection Week 2026 ran from March 2 to 6, but the fraud warnings the FTC published during that week are just as relevant now. If you missed the event, or if you could use a refresher on the most common scams, this article covers the key points from the FTC’s campaign — and what you can do to protect yourself today. ...