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The Scams You’re Most Likely to Face This Year, According to the FTC With National Consumer Protection Week shining a spotlight on fraud prevention, the Federal Trade Commission recently held a webinar to outline the scam tactics that are currently tricking people most often. While the specific methods may evolve, the core strategies of scammers remain consistent: exploiting trust, creating urgency, and using modern technology to appear legitimate. ...

Gift Card Scams Are Surging: Here’s How to Protect Yourself Recently, Washington D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a consumer alert warning residents about a sharp rise in gift card scams. This official notice underscores a troubling and widespread trend: scammers are increasingly demanding payment in the form of gift cards, a tactic that is both effective for criminals and devastating for victims. Understanding how these scams work is the first and most crucial step in avoiding them. ...

Your 2026 Guide to Everyday Fraud Protection It’s officially National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), an annual initiative led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to spotlight the ways you can guard your money and personal information. While the official week is a focused campaign, the guidance it promotes is relevant every single day. The landscape of scams never stands still, but the core principles of vigilance and smart habits remain your best defense. This year’s focus is a reminder that effective protection doesn’t require advanced technical skills—it’s about applying consistent, practical steps to your daily digital life. ...

How to Spot and Stop Gift Card Scams: A Consumer Guide If someone demands payment via a gift card, it is almost certainly a scam. That’s the unequivocal warning from the District of Columbia Attorney General, Brian Schwalb, in a recent consumer alert. His office is urging residents to be vigilant, as fraudsters continue to exploit gift cards as a preferred tool for theft. ...

New Scams Are Getting More Convincing—Here’s How to Stay Safe Every day, our inboxes, text threads, and phone lines are flooded with messages. Most are harmless, but an increasing number are carefully crafted traps designed to steal money and personal information. Scammers are relentless innovators, constantly refining their tactics to exploit our trust and urgency. During a recent National Consumer Protection Week webinar, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) highlighted the latest evolution of these schemes, providing a crucial snapshot of what to watch for right now. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Gift Card Scams: A Practical Guide for Everyone Gift cards are meant to be a convenient present or a simple way to budget spending. Unfortunately, they’ve also become a favorite tool for scammers. The problem is widespread enough that consumer protection agencies regularly issue warnings. Most recently, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb highlighted the threat in an official alert to residents, urging heightened vigilance. These scams aren’t confined to one city or region—they target people everywhere. Understanding how they work is the first step in protecting yourself and your money. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams Every year, National Consumer Protection Week serves as a critical reminder to review our defenses against fraud. This year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to spotlight the scam trends that are currently costing consumers the most money and peace of mind. While the full details are best heard from the source, the overarching message is clear: scammers are refining their tactics, but a few key principles can help you stay safe. ...

National Consumer Protection Week 2026: The FTC’s Guide to Shielding Yourself Online With National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 upon us, there’s no better time to take stock of your digital defenses. This annual event, led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), isn’t just a government announcement—it’s a concentrated push to equip you with the tools and knowledge needed to fight fraud. The landscape of scams is constantly shifting, but the core principles of protection remain steadfast. Let’s break down the FTC’s guidance into practical steps you can use today. ...

Spot the Scam: The FTC’s Latest Warning on What to Watch For Scammers are relentless, but their tactics aren’t always new—they’re just constantly repackaged to exploit our trust and daily routines. During a recent National Consumer Protection Week webinar, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) shed light on the current scam landscape, emphasizing how familiar cons have evolved to catch even the cautious off guard. For anyone who shops online, checks their email, or answers their phone, understanding these trends isn’t just helpful; it’s a necessary part of digital life. ...

A Persistent Threat: Understanding and Avoiding Gift Card Scams In our digital age, gift cards have become a staple of convenience for gifting and personal spending. Unfortunately, their very features—ease of purchase and use—have also made them a top tool for fraudsters. A recent consumer alert issued by the District of Columbia Attorney General, Brian Schwalb, underscores a troubling and ongoing trend: gift card scams remain a highly effective way for criminals to steal money quickly and irreversibly. This warning serves as a critical reminder for all consumers, regardless of location, to sharpen their awareness. ...