Consumer Alerts

Gift Card Scams: How to Spot and Avoid Them — Advice from Consumer Alert Experts Gift cards make convenient presents, but they also make perfect cover for fraud. Scammers have long favored them because once the numbers on the back are shared, the money is nearly impossible to recover. Recent alerts from the District of Columbia’s Attorney General and other state consumer offices underscore that this threat is not going away. Whether you live in Washington, D.C., or anywhere else in the country, knowing how these scams work could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. ...

Gift Card Scams Are Still Everywhere: How to Spot Them and What to Do Introduction If you receive an unexpected phone call demanding payment by gift card, hang up. That is the simplest advice, yet thousands of people lose money to gift card scams every year. The Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia recently issued a consumer alert about this persistent fraud. While the warning targets Washington, D.C. residents, the tactics and protections apply to anyone, anywhere. ...

Latest Scam Trends from FTC Webinar: What to Watch for in 2026 Every year during National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) holds a webinar to walk through the scams that are costing Americans the most money and causing the greatest harm. This year’s session, summarized by ACA International, highlighted several persistent threats — and a few newer twists on old tricks. If you missed the live event, here’s a practical rundown of what was covered and how you can protect yourself. ...

Gift Card Scams Are Everywhere: How to Protect Yourself Introduction Gift cards are convenient presents, but they’ve also become a favorite payment method for scammers. Because they are nearly untraceable and can be spent quickly, fraudsters regularly pressure victims into buying them and handing over the codes. In December 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a consumer alert to warn residents about the persistence of gift card scams and to offer clear steps to avoid them. This article draws on that official guidance — along with broader federal data — to help you recognize the red flags and know what to do if you or someone you know is targeted. ...

Gift Card Scams Are Everywhere: How to Spot Them and What to Do If someone you don’t know demands payment with a gift card, it is almost certainly a scam. Gift cards are meant for giving, not for paying taxes, bail, utility bills, or tech support. Yet scammers continue to rely on them because once the card number and PIN are shared, the money is gone and nearly impossible to recover. ...

Gift Card Scams: What to Watch For and How to Protect Yourself If you’ve ever received an urgent phone call demanding payment with a gift card, you’re not imagining things—it’s a hallmark of one of the most persistent consumer frauds today. Gift card scams have grown so common that consumer protection agencies across the country regularly issue warnings. In December 2025, Washington D.C.’s Attorney General Brian Schwalb released an alert specifically about these schemes, reminding residents—and by extension, all consumers—that gift cards are meant for giving, not for paying bills or debts. ...

Gift Card Scams: How to Spot Them and What to Do Next Introduction Gift cards are a convenient way to give someone a present, but scammers have turned them into one of the most popular payment methods for fraud. In December 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a new alert warning residents about the continued prevalence of gift card scams and urging consumers to stay vigilant. This article explains what happened, why it matters, and what you can do to protect yourself—or take action if you’ve already been targeted. ...

Gift Card Scams Are Surging: Here’s How to Spot and Stop Them Gift cards make convenient presents, but they’ve also become a favorite tool for scammers. In December 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert warning District residents about a rise in gift card fraud. The warning isn’t just local—gift card scams are one of the most common types of payment fraud reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) year after year. If you’ve ever received an urgent call, email, or text asking you to buy gift cards for payment, you need to know the red flags. ...

Fraud Targeting Older Adults by Phone and Online Is Surging – What to Watch For Recent reports from AARP and CBS News underscore a troubling trend: technology‑enabled fraud against people age 50 and older is rising sharply. According to AARP, Floridians over 50 lost more than $258 million to scams in 2025 alone. Nationwide figures are likely higher, though exact numbers are still being collected. This consumer alert explains what’s happening, why older adults are a frequent target, and what you can do to reduce your risk. ...

Gift Card Scams: How to Spot Them and Protect Your Money If you receive a phone call, email, or text demanding that you pay a fine, a utility bill, or a debt with a gift card, hang up immediately. That is the core message behind a recent consumer alert from D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb, who warned District residents about the rising tide of gift card scams. While the alert specifically targets Washington, D.C., the tactics it describes are used nationwide and year-round, not just during the holidays. ...