Consumer Alerts

Your iPhone Is a Target: How to Recognize and Stop Scam Calls and Texts If you own a smartphone, you’ve almost certainly felt that familiar spike of annoyance when an unknown number flashes on your screen. For iPhone users, these interruptions are more than just a nuisance—they are increasingly sophisticated attempts to steal your money and personal information. Recent alerts from consumer groups and law enforcement highlight a worrying trend: scammers are refining their tactics, and our vigilance must match. ...

A Practical Guide to Spotting, Stopping, and Recovering from Modern Scams In today’s digital world, scams are not just annoying—they’re sophisticated, costly, and increasingly common. As more of our financial and personal lives move online, the tactics used by fraudsters evolve in tandem, making it crucial for everyone to update their defenses. Based on a recent series from Investopedia, this guide breaks down the essential steps you can take to recognize, prevent, and respond to contemporary fraud. ...

How to Build a Practical Defense Against Modern Scams It’s a common, unsettling feeling: a strange text, an urgent email from a “company” you use, or a too-good-to-be-true investment opportunity sliding into your social media DMs. Scams aren’t just annoying—they’re financially devastating and emotionally taxing. Today’s fraudsters use sophisticated psychological tricks and digital tools to exploit trust and urgency. Protecting yourself isn’t about paranoia; it’s about informed vigilance. This guide breaks down the essential process of recognizing, preventing, and responding to scams, giving you a clear plan to safeguard your money and identity. ...

National Consumer Protection Week Is More Than a Calendar Event Every March, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leads National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), a campaign focused on arming people with the knowledge to avoid fraud and manage their privacy. While NCPW 2026 is a specific event, the advice and resources it highlights are vital year-round. The FTC uses this week to consolidate its latest findings and warnings into a central, accessible place, making it an ideal time for anyone to do a personal “safety check-up.” ...

Don’t Get Tricked: How to Spot and Stop Gift Card Scams As the holiday season fades, a more persistent threat remains. In December 2025, Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a direct alert to District of Columbia residents, warning of the ongoing and evolving danger of gift card scams. These aren’t just clumsy emails; they’re sophisticated schemes designed to pressure people into handing over their hard-earned money in a form that’s nearly impossible to trace or recover. This official warning underscores a critical point: if anyone demands payment via gift card, it’s almost certainly a scam. ...

How to Spot, Avoid, and Recover from Today’s Scams We’ve all seen them: the urgent text from a “courier service,” the friendly message from a stranger on social media, or the too-good-to-be-true investment offer. Scams are a constant, evolving threat, costing victims billions each year and leaving behind stress and financial damage. The good news is that by understanding how they work, you can build a strong defense. ...

D.C. Attorney General Warns: Gift Card Scams Are a Growing Threat In a recent official alert, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb warned residents about a persistent and damaging form of fraud: gift card payment scams. These schemes are not new, but they continue to evolve and trap even savvy individuals, often resulting in significant, irreversible financial loss. The alert underscores that scammers are increasingly sophisticated, using pressure and impersonation to trick people into purchasing and handing over gift card details. Understanding how these scams work is your first and most important line of defense. ...

National Consumer Protection Week Is Here. Let’s Talk Defense. Every March, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leads National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). It’s more than a calendar event; it’s a focused reminder to shore up our defenses against the fraud that costs consumers billions yearly. With NCPW 2026 underway, the FTC has released a suite of advice, highlighting the scams that are particularly active and providing clear steps to fight back. Let’s break down what you need to know and, more importantly, what you can do. ...

Don’t Just Observe National Consumer Protection Week—Use It Every March, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) marks National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). It’s a dedicated time for agencies, advocates, and businesses to share resources that help people guard against scams, fraud, and unfair practices. For the average person, however, it can feel like just another awareness week that comes and goes. ...

What National Consumer Protection Week 2026 Means for Your Safety Every March, a coordinated campaign led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) shines a spotlight on the skills and tools we all need to navigate the marketplace safely. National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 is no different. While the official events and materials for 2026 are still being finalized, the core mission remains timeless: to arm you with practical knowledge to avoid scams, protect your identity, and secure your hard-earned money. ...