A Timely Reminder: Gift Cards Are for Gifts, Not for Scammers If someone you don’t know calls, texts, or emails you demanding payment with a gift card, stop. It’s a scam. Full stop. ...
Your Guide to Staying Safe: What the FTC Wants You to Know for Consumer Protection Week Each March, a coalition of government agencies and consumer advocacy groups dedicates a week to arming the public with knowledge. National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is that event, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is a central leader in the effort. For NCPW 2026, the FTC is once again providing clear, actionable advice to help you navigate an increasingly complex marketplace and avoid costly scams. ...
How to Recognize and Stop the Scams That Are Surging Right Now During a recent National Consumer Protection Week webinar, experts from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) detailed the scam tactics that are currently tricking the most people. Their message was clear: while the stories scammers tell keep changing, their goal remains the same—to pressure you into handing over money or personal information. Being aware of the current trends is your first and best line of defense. ...
Gift Card Scams Are Everywhere. Here’s How to Protect Yourself. It’s an all-too-familiar story: a call, text, or email creates a sudden sense of urgency. A loved one is in jail and needs bail money. The IRS says you owe back taxes immediately or face arrest. A tech support agent claims your computer is infected and demands payment to fix it. In each case, the demand is the same: go buy a gift card and read the numbers over the phone. ...
Spotting the Imposter: Your Guide to Impersonation Scams During Consumer Protection Week As National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 approaches, it’s an ideal time to sharpen our defenses against one of the most common and costly frauds: impersonation scams. These deceptions, where criminals pretend to be someone you trust, are a perennial focus for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) because they are devastatingly effective. Let’s break down how these scams work and, more importantly, how you can stop them. ...
Don’t Get Fooled: A Practical Guide to the Latest Gift Card Scams If someone calls, emails, or messages you demanding immediate payment with a gift card, it’s a scam. Full stop. This isn’t just an internet rumor; it’s the core warning from an official alert issued by District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb. These scams are not new, but they are evolving and remain one of the most common and effective forms of consumer fraud. Understanding how they work is your first and best defense. ...
National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Your Guide to Spotting and Stopping Scams Every March, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leads National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), a dedicated effort to arm the public with knowledge against fraud. For 2026, the spotlight is once again on a pervasive and costly threat: impersonation scams. These aren’t just random emails from a “prince”; they are sophisticated deceptions where scammers pretend to be someone you trust—a government agency, a well-known company, a tech support specialist, or even a family member in distress. ...
An Official Warning About Gift Card Scams: What You Need to Know A recent consumer alert from the District of Columbia’s Attorney General serves as a stark reminder of a persistent threat. Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert specifically warning District residents about the dangers of gift card scams, urging heightened vigilance. This isn’t an isolated issue for one city; it reflects a widespread fraud tactic that continues to trap people across the country. Understanding how these scams work is your first and best line of defense. ...
When a “Gift Card Emergency” Is a Scam in Disguise Attorney General Brian Schwalb recently issued a clear warning to District of Columbia residents: be extremely wary of anyone demanding payment via gift cards. This alert isn’t about a complex cyberattack; it’s about a simple, devastatingly effective trick that continues to drain bank accounts nationwide. While the warning originated in D.C., the advice applies to everyone, everywhere. ...
Don’t Get Scammed: How to Spot and Avoid Gift Card Fraud It starts with a call, a text, or an email. The person on the other end sounds urgent—maybe they claim to be from the IRS, your utility company, a tech support agent, or even a family member in a sudden crisis. Their demand is always the same: pay them immediately, and pay with a gift card. If you hesitate, they’ll pressure you with threats of arrest, service shut-offs, or permanent consequences. ...