Gift Card Scams Are Surging: Here’s How to Protect Yourself You get a call, an email, or a text. It’s urgent: a family member is in trouble, the IRS says you owe back taxes, or tech support claims your computer is infected. The solution? They insist you pay immediately using gift cards. It sounds bizarre, but this scenario is playing out countless times every day, defrauding consumers of millions. ...
Don’t Get Fooled: Practical Ways to Outsmart Today’s Top Scams With another National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) upon us, federal agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are doubling down on their mission: equipping you with the knowledge to protect your money and your identity. Scammers aren’t taking a break, and their tactics are constantly evolving. This week serves as a crucial reminder to review your defenses. The core advice remains timeless, but applying it requires understanding the current landscape of fraud. ...
Beyond the Headlines: What the FTC’s Latest Scam Alert Really Means for You If it feels like scam attempts are becoming more frequent and more sophisticated, you’re not imagining it. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar during National Consumer Protection Week, shedding light on the evolving tactics fraudsters are using right now. The key takeaway? Scammers are refining their methods, but informed consumers can still effectively defend themselves. ...
Staying Safe Beyond the Headlines: Practical Lessons from Consumer Protection Week Every year, National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) serves as a crucial reminder of the scams and frauds that target everyday people. While the official events and announcements from agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are valuable, the real test comes in applying that awareness to our daily digital lives long after the week is over. The advice highlighted during NCPW 2026 isn’t just for a single week—it’s a set of essential practices for navigating an increasingly complex online world. ...
Don’t Get Tricked: Key Scam Trends to Watch in 2026 If you feel like scam attempts are becoming more frequent and sophisticated, you’re not imagining it. Each year, fraudsters refine their tactics, using new technologies and psychological tricks to catch people off guard. To help consumers fight back, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently held a webinar during National Consumer Protection Week, detailing the latest scam trends they’re tracking. ...
A Warning on Gift Card Scams: How to Protect Your Money If someone calls, texts, or emails you demanding payment with a gift card, it is almost certainly a scam. This simple warning is at the heart of a recent consumer alert from District of Columbia Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb, who is urging residents to be vigilant against one of the most common and effective forms of modern fraud. ...
What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams A recent FTC webinar, held during National Consumer Protection Week, cut through the noise to outline the most pressing fraud threats facing consumers right now. While scammers constantly refine their tactics, the agency identified several trends that are currently causing significant financial and emotional harm. The core message was clear: awareness and a few critical habits are your strongest defense. ...
That Urgent Call for Gift Cards? It’s a Scam. If someone calls, texts, or emails you demanding immediate payment with a gift card, stop. You are almost certainly talking to a scammer. This isn’t a new scheme, but it remains devastatingly effective, prompting consumer protection offices like that of District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb to issue renewed warnings to the public. ...
Don’t Just Be a Consumer, Be a Protected One: Lessons from NCPW 2026 Every year, as winter turns to spring, there’s a week dedicated not to a holiday or a season, but to you: the consumer. National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), is a coordinated campaign to highlight your rights and arm you against fraud. As we look ahead to NCPW 2026, the core message remains critically urgent. Scams aren’t going away; they’re just putting on new disguises. This week serves as your annual reminder and refresh course on how to spot them, stop them, and safeguard what’s yours. ...
Stay Ahead of Scammers: Key Takeaways from the FTC’s Latest Update Keeping up with the latest tricks used by scammers can feel like a full-time job. Just as you learn to spot one scheme, another emerges. That’s why the consistent advice from consumer protection experts is so valuable. During a recent National Consumer Protection Week webinar, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) highlighted ongoing and evolving scam trends that every consumer should know. The core message remains clear: awareness is your first and most powerful line of defense. ...