Consumer Protection

Gift Card Scams: How to Spot Them and What to Do If You’ve Been Targeted Introduction In mid-December 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a consumer alert warning residents about a surge in gift card scams. The alert underscores a simple but critical fact: no legitimate business, government agency, or utility company will ever demand payment in the form of gift cards. Yet these scams continue to cost Americans hundreds of millions of dollars each year, with older adults frequently among the hardest hit. Understanding how they work—and knowing exactly what to do if you or someone you know is targeted—can prevent financial harm. ...

FTC Webinar Reveals Top Scam Trends: What Consumers Need to Know Every year, the Federal Trade Commission hosts a series of webinars during National Consumer Protection Week to share the latest data on fraud and provide practical advice. In March 2026, the FTC presented its most recent scam trends, offering a snapshot of what consumers are facing and how to stay safe. A separate webinar specifically addressed financial scams targeting military members and veterans. Here’s a breakdown of what was covered and what it means for your everyday decisions. ...

National Consumer Protection Week 2026: How to Protect Yourself From Scams Every year, the Federal Trade Commission organizes National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) to help people spot, avoid, and report fraud. The 2026 edition ran from March 2 through March 6, but the guidance from the FTC is designed to last far beyond those five days. Whether you missed the event or want to revisit its key messages, the core advice remains relevant throughout the year—and useful for planning ahead for the next NCPW. ...

New Scam Trends You Should Know About in 2026, According to the FTC If you missed the Federal Trade Commission’s annual webinar during National Consumer Protection Week last month, you are not alone. But the trends the agency highlighted are worth catching up on. Scammers are refining old tricks with new technology, and the financial losses they cause continue to climb. ...

Don’t Let Scammers Win: FTC’s Best Consumer Advice From NCPW 2026 (Use It Any Time) National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 took place in early March, as it does every year. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) used the occasion to release fresh consumer alerts, updated scam warnings, and practical guidance. Even if you missed the event, the advice remains just as relevant today—scammers and identity thieves do not take holidays, and the tactics that worked in March often keep working through the rest of the year. ...

What to Know for National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Key Scams and Tips National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 is now underway. Organized each year by the Federal Trade Commission, the campaign runs through the first full week of March—this year marking the 28th anniversary. Its purpose is straightforward: to give people the information they need to avoid fraud, spot deceptive practices, and know where to turn if something goes wrong. ...

Latest Scam Trends: FTC Webinar Highlights and What You Need to Know Every year during National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission releases its most recent fraud data and holds a webinar to walk through the major trends. This year’s session, held in early March 2026, confirmed what many consumer advocates have been seeing: scammers are getting more sophisticated, and losses are climbing. ...

Your Guide to National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Essential Scam Advice from the FTC National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 wrapped up in early March, coordinated by the Federal Trade Commission and numerous partners. Each year, the campaign draws attention to the most pressing consumer threats and, more importantly, what you can do about them. If you missed the events or just want a clear recap of the core advice, here is what the FTC emphasized and how you can apply it year-round. ...

New Scam Trends Identified in FTC Webinar – What to Watch For During National Consumer Protection Week in early March 2026, the Federal Trade Commission held a webinar that outlined the most pressing scam threats facing consumers. The session, which was also covered by ACA International, offered a snapshot of current fraud patterns and practical ways to avoid them. If you are worried about identity theft or losing money to a scam, the following trends and tips are worth knowing. ...

Lessons from National Consumer Protection Week 2026: FTC Advice That’s Still Worth Following National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 came and went in early March, but the advice the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) put out during that week is the kind that doesn’t expire. If you missed the official campaign, or even if you saw parts of it, the core messages about spotting scams and protecting your personal information are worth revisiting. ...