Consumer Alerts

A Guide to Today’s Scam Landscape: What the FTC Wants You to Know As part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently hosted a webinar to shed light on the latest tactics fraudsters are using. While the specific presentation details are in the recording, the consistent message from the FTC is clear: scammers are endlessly adaptable, refining old cons and inventing new ones to exploit current events and our daily habits. ...

Gift Card Scams Are Costing People Millions. Here’s How to Spot Them. If someone calls, texts, or emails you demanding payment with a gift card, it’s a scam. Full stop. That’s the unequivocal warning from consumer protection agencies nationwide. Recently, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert to District residents, reminding them that legitimate organizations—including government agencies, utilities, or tech support—will never ask you to pay a bill, fee, or fine with a gift card. ...

What National Consumer Protection Week 2026 Means for Your Safety National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is back for 2026. This annual campaign, led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), is a dedicated time for government agencies, consumer advocates, and organizations to highlight the importance of knowing your rights and guarding against modern scams. The official “Welcome to NCPW 2026” announcements signal a renewed push to equip the public with free, practical tools and knowledge. For the average person, it’s a timely reminder to review and strengthen your personal defenses against fraud. ...

What to Expect From National Consumer Protection Week 2026 Every year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leads a nationwide campaign to arm consumers with knowledge against scams, fraud, and identity theft. This campaign is National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). While the official dates for NCPW 2026 are not yet finalized, looking at patterns from previous years, we can expect it to be scheduled for early March 2026. The FTC uses this dedicated week to roll out new resources, host events, and spotlight the most pressing threats facing consumers today. ...

Beyond the Headlines: What the “Pig Butchering” Scam Alert Means for You In February, New York State Attorney General Letitia James issued a stark warning to residents about a sophisticated and devastating fraud known as “pig butchering.” While the name might sound unusual, the financial carnage it leaves behind is very real. This official alert underscores a growing threat that can target anyone with a smartphone or social media account. Understanding how this scam works is the first critical step in protecting yourself and your finances. ...

The Scam Landscape for 2026 and How to Navigate It National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), is more than just a calendar event. It’s an annual reminder to pause and take stock of our digital and financial health. As we approach NCPW 2026, the core mission remains unchanged: equipping you with the knowledge to recognize, reject, and report fraud. This year, the threats aren’t necessarily brand new, but their delivery and sophistication continue to evolve. ...

A New iPhone Scam Targets Your Bank Account: How to Spot It and Stop It Security experts are sounding the alarm about a sophisticated new scam specifically designed to target iPhone users, with the potential to drain linked bank accounts. This isn’t a generic phishing attempt; it exploits the interconnected nature of Apple’s ecosystem and preys on user trust in system notifications. While the exact technical delivery may evolve, understanding the core mechanism is your first and best defense. ...

A New Scam Targeting iPhones Aims for Your Bank Balance A recent wave of warnings from cybersecurity experts highlights a disturbing trend: scammers are refining techniques specifically designed to target iPhone users, with the ultimate goal of gaining access to and draining personal bank accounts. While specific technical details from recent reports are limited, the consistent advisory from experts points to a real and present threat that relies on a mix of digital trickery and social engineering. For anyone who uses their iPhone for banking, shopping, or managing finances, understanding this threat is the first critical step to avoiding it. ...

New iPhone Scam Aims to Drain Bank Accounts: A Practical Guide to Staying Safe Security experts are sounding the alarm about a sophisticated new scam specifically targeting iPhone users. The goal is simple and devastating: to gain access to your online banking and drain your accounts. While the exact mechanics can vary, these scams often exploit the trust we place in our devices and the urgency conveyed in official-looking alerts. This guide breaks down how these scams typically work and, more importantly, provides clear, actionable steps you can take right now to protect your money and personal information. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About the Latest Scam Surge National Consumer Protection Week is designed to empower people with information, and a recent Federal Trade Commission (FTC) webinar served as a critical briefing on the current scam landscape. The session highlighted how fraudsters are refining old tricks and deploying new ones, capitalizing on technology and current events to separate people from their money. While the tactics evolve, the core goal remains the same: to create a sense of urgency, fear, or opportunity that overrides our better judgment. ...