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The Gift Card Scam: Why Officials Are Issuing Warnings and How You Can Stay Safe In mid-December 2025, the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia, led by Brian Schwalb, issued a direct alert to residents: be on high guard against gift card scams. While the warning was localized, the threat is universal. Fraudsters are increasingly turning to gift cards as their preferred method of illicit payment, exploiting their ease of use and the difficulty of tracing funds. This official notice serves as a timely reminder for everyone to understand how these scams work and how to protect themselves. ...

Your Guide to National Consumer Protection Week 2026 National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is back for 2026. This annual initiative, led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), is more than just a calendar event—it’s a focused opportunity for consumers to arm themselves against fraud, enhance their privacy, and learn to navigate the marketplace safely. For the next seven days, a coalition of government agencies and consumer advocacy groups will flood the zone with free resources, live events, and practical advice. The core message is simple: knowledge is your first and best line of defense. ...

Don’t Fall for the “Shut-Off” Scam: How to Spot a Fake Utility Call You’re at home when the phone rings. The caller ID might even show the name of your local electric company or the state utility commission. The person on the line is urgent and authoritative: your payment is overdue, your service will be disconnected within the hour, and you must pay immediately via a prepaid debit card, wire transfer, or a peer-to-peer payment app to avoid the shutoff. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know for Consumer Protection Week 2026 Every year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) spearheads National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), a dedicated campaign to arm the public with knowledge against fraud. The lead-up to NCPW 2026 is no different, with the agency publishing straightforward advice to help you navigate an increasingly complex digital marketplace. While specific 2026 announcements are still emerging, the FTC’s guidance consistently zeroes in on timeless yet evolving threats, emphasizing vigilance and practical action. ...

FTC Webinar Spotlights New Scam Tricks: Here’s What to Watch For Last week, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to brief the public on the latest scam trends. These events are a critical part of the agency’s mission to educate consumers, but the information shared is only useful if we put it into practice. The digital landscape for fraud is constantly shifting, and the tactics scammers used last year—or even last month—are already being refined. ...

The Utility Payment Scam: Don’t Let a Fake “Final Notice” Shake You It’s a familiar scenario for many: the phone rings, and someone claims to be from your local power, water, or gas company. They say your payment is overdue, that service will be disconnected within the hour, and that you must pay immediately to keep the lights on. The pressure is intense, and the demand is urgent. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know for Consumer Protection Week 2026 National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is back for 2026, and the Federal Trade Commission is using the occasion to spotlight the latest strategies for staying safe. This annual event, which began in early March, is more than just a reminder—it’s a focused effort to arm people with the specific knowledge needed to navigate today’s fraud landscape. As scams grow more sophisticated, the FTC’s guidance for 2026 emphasizes a shift from basic awareness to proactive, informed defense. ...

FTC Alert: The Latest Scams and How to Protect Yourself The first week of March is designated as National Consumer Protection Week, a time when agencies and advocates focus on educating the public. In line with this, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently held a webinar highlighting the current scam landscape. Their findings reveal that while classic fraud schemes persist, criminals are constantly refining their methods, making it crucial for consumers to stay informed. ...

That Urgent Call About Your Bill? It’s Likely a Scam If your phone rings and the caller ID shows a familiar name—maybe your electric company or water utility—you might naturally feel inclined to answer. The person on the line sounds official, even urgent. They say your service will be disconnected within the hour unless you make an immediate payment. Your heart races. What do you do? ...

The Newest Scams Targeting You, Straight from the FTC’s Latest Briefing During this year’s National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held an important webinar spotlighting the current fraud landscape. While the specifics of the discussion are detailed, the overarching message is clear: scammers are refining their tactics, and everyone needs to update their defenses. This isn’t about fear, but about practical awareness—knowing what to look for can stop a scam before it causes harm. ...