Posts

Gift Card Scams: How to Spot Them and What to Do Next Introduction Gift cards are a convenient way to give someone a present, but scammers have turned them into one of the most popular payment methods for fraud. In December 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a new alert warning residents about the continued prevalence of gift card scams and urging consumers to stay vigilant. This article explains what happened, why it matters, and what you can do to protect yourself—or take action if you’ve already been targeted. ...

NCPW 2026: What the FTC Wants You to Know About Scams This Year National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 ran from March 1 through March 7, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) once again used the occasion to highlight the most pressing consumer threats and the tools available to fight them. For anyone trying to stay ahead of fraud, the agency’s advice remains one of the most reliable starting points. ...

Lloyds Bank Issues Urgent Scam Alert: What Customers Need to Know Now Introduction Lloyds Bank has reportedly updated its customer scam warning, flagging a fresh wave of fraud attempts targeting UK account holders. According to a syndicated article published on April 24, 2026, the bank is urging customers to be vigilant about impersonation scams that pressure people into sharing personal details or making urgent payments. While I have not reviewed the original Lloyds press release directly, the alert aligns with patterns seen in recent UK banking fraud warnings. This post summarises what the reported alert contains, explains why it matters, and gives clear steps you can take to protect your accounts. ...

New Scam Trends Revealed in FTC Webinar: What Consumers Need to Know During National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission shared the latest tactics scammers are using and how to avoid them. ...

NCPW 2026: The Scams the FTC Wants You to Know About Every year, the Federal Trade Commission sets aside a week in March for National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), a coordinated push to equip people with the latest information on frauds and how to avoid them. The 2026 edition has come and gone, but the scam trends the FTC flagged remain very much alive. If you missed the campaign, or simply need a refresher, here’s what the agency highlighted and what you can do right now to protect yourself. ...

How to Spot and Avoid ‘Pig Butchering’ Investment Scams If you receive an unsolicited message from a stranger who seems charming, quickly turns the conversation toward investing, and pushes you to put money into a cryptocurrency platform you’ve never heard of, you might be in the crosshairs of a “pig butchering” scam. On February 17, 2026, New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert specifically warning residents about this growing fraud. Here is what you need to know to recognize it, avoid it, and act if you or someone you know has been targeted. ...

After National Consumer Protection Week: How to Keep Applying the FTC’s Advice All Year National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 took place in early March, hosted by the Federal Trade Commission alongside a broad coalition of federal, state, and local agencies. While the official week has passed, the guidance released during NCPW remains the most concise, actionable set of consumer protection tips available from the U.S. government. If you missed the announcements or simply want a refresher, the core advice is worth reviewing now—especially with tax season in full swing and scammers adjusting their tactics year-round. ...

New FTC Report Reveals Top Scams to Watch Out for This Year Every March, the Federal Trade Commission hosts a series of events for National Consumer Protection Week, and this year’s webinar offered a sobering look at the current state of fraud in the United States. The agency presented updated data on the most common scams, the tactics criminals are using, and who they are targeting. For anyone trying to stay one step ahead of fraudsters, the key takeaways are worth paying attention to. ...

How to Spot and Avoid ‘Pig Butchering’ Crypto Romance Scams What Is a Pig Butchering Scam? The term “pig butchering” comes from the way scammers carefully “fatten up” a victim before taking their money. It blends social engineering — often starting on dating apps or social media — with fake cryptocurrency investments. The goal is to build trust over weeks or months, then convince you to send large sums to bogus trading platforms that show impressive but completely fabricated returns. ...

Lloyds Bank Warns Customers of New Scam Wave: What to Do Now Lloyds Bank has issued an updated customer alert warning of a rise in fraud attempts targeting its account holders. The alert, published on 24 April 2026, outlines specific tactics fraudsters are using to impersonate the bank and trick customers into handing over sensitive information. ...