Posts

Don’t Get Played: How to Spot and Stop Gift Card Scams If someone pressures you to pay them with a gift card, you’re almost certainly talking to a scammer. That’s the blunt warning from D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb, who recently issued a consumer fraud alert to residents. Despite being a well-documented trick, gift card scams continue to drain millions from unsuspecting victims every year. The scam’s simplicity is its greatest weapon, but with the right knowledge, you can easily defuse it. ...

What We Learned From the FTC’s Latest Scam Alert If you feel like scams are getting more frequent and sophisticated, you’re not imagining it. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently hosted a webinar during National Consumer Protection Week, specifically to shine a light on the newest tactics fraudsters are using. The goal was straightforward: to arm consumers with the latest information to help them recognize and avoid these evolving threats. With losses to fraud skyrocketing, this kind of timely update isn’t just helpful—it’s essential for anyone who shops, banks, or communicates online. ...

How to Spot and Avoid the Latest Scams Every year, the landscape of fraud shifts. Scammers are relentless innovators, always refining their tactics to exploit new technologies and current events. During the recent National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to spotlight the most pressing and emerging scam trends affecting people today. This annual focus provides a crucial snapshot of what to watch for. Understanding these patterns isn’t about fostering fear; it’s about building practical defenses. Here’s a breakdown of the key trends highlighted and, more importantly, what you can do about them. ...

A Practical Guide to Consumer Protection Beyond the Headlines National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), spearheaded by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), returns each year as a dedicated time for awareness. But the real value lies in translating that annual reminder into year-round habits. With NCPW 2026 on the horizon, it’s a timely moment to move past general warnings and focus on concrete steps you can take to protect your information, your money, and your peace of mind. ...

What We Learned from the FTC’s Latest Scam Briefing The digital world is convenient, but it’s also a playground for scammers who constantly refine their tricks. This was the central theme of a recent Federal Trade Commission (FTC) webinar, held during National Consumer Protection Week. The briefing served as a stark reminder that fraud is not static; it evolves to exploit new technologies and current events. For the average person just trying to bank, shop, or connect online, this can feel overwhelming. The good news is that by understanding the specific patterns officials are flagging, you can build a much stronger personal defense. ...

What You Need to Know About Consumer Safety in 2026 Every March, agencies and consumer advocates mark National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), a time dedicated to arming people with the knowledge to fight fraud. While this coordinated effort is valuable, the real takeaway is the practical, year-round advice it highlights. Based on the longstanding guidance from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), here are the most actionable steps you can take to secure your finances and personal information against the scams that are evolving right now. ...

The FTC Just Warned About These Scams. Here’s What You Should Watch For. During National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosts a key annual event: a webinar updating the public on the fraud landscape. The latest session highlighted how scammers are refining old tricks and exploiting new technologies. For anyone managing their finances or simply navigating daily life online, understanding these trends isn’t just helpful—it’s a necessary layer of defense. The tactics are becoming more convincing, but the core principles of protection remain grounded in skepticism and verification. ...

New York’s Top Lawyer Warns of “Pig Butchering” Scams: How to Protect Yourself In a recent official warning, New York Attorney General Letitia James alerted the public to a sophisticated and cruel online fraud known as “pig butchering.” The name, derived from a grim metaphor, describes how scammers “fatten up” a victim with trust and affection before “slaughtering” them financially. This advisory highlights a disturbing trend that capitalizes on loneliness and the promise of easy wealth, leaving victims both heartbroken and bankrupt. Understanding this scam is your first line of defense. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Scams In early March, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a key webinar as part of National Consumer Protection Week, distilling the latest patterns in consumer fraud. While the full data reports are still being compiled, the session underscored that scammers are relentlessly refining their tactics, often exploiting current events and digital tools to appear more convincing than ever. ...

How to Spot and Stop the Latest Scam Trends in 2026 During this year’s National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar to outline the most prevalent and evolving scams that are currently targeting the public. While the specifics of fraud tactics shift, the underlying goal remains the same: to trick you into handing over money or sensitive personal information. ...