Consumer Safety

How to Spot and Avoid Gift Card Scams: A Practical Guide for Everyone Gift cards are meant to be a convenient present or a simple way to budget spending. Unfortunately, they’ve also become a favorite tool for scammers. The problem is widespread enough that consumer protection agencies regularly issue warnings. Most recently, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb highlighted the threat in an official alert to residents, urging heightened vigilance. These scams aren’t confined to one city or region—they target people everywhere. Understanding how they work is the first step in protecting yourself and your money. ...

Spot the Scam: The FTC’s Latest Warning on What to Watch For Scammers are relentless, but their tactics aren’t always new—they’re just constantly repackaged to exploit our trust and daily routines. During a recent National Consumer Protection Week webinar, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) shed light on the current scam landscape, emphasizing how familiar cons have evolved to catch even the cautious off guard. For anyone who shops online, checks their email, or answers their phone, understanding these trends isn’t just helpful; it’s a necessary part of digital life. ...

How to Spot and Avoid the Latest Scams Every year, the landscape of fraud shifts. Scammers are relentless innovators, always refining their tactics to exploit new technologies and current events. During the recent National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to spotlight the most pressing and emerging scam trends affecting people today. This annual focus provides a crucial snapshot of what to watch for. Understanding these patterns isn’t about fostering fear; it’s about building practical defenses. Here’s a breakdown of the key trends highlighted and, more importantly, what you can do about them. ...

What We Learned from the FTC’s Latest Scam Briefing The digital world is convenient, but it’s also a playground for scammers who constantly refine their tricks. This was the central theme of a recent Federal Trade Commission (FTC) webinar, held during National Consumer Protection Week. The briefing served as a stark reminder that fraud is not static; it evolves to exploit new technologies and current events. For the average person just trying to bank, shop, or connect online, this can feel overwhelming. The good news is that by understanding the specific patterns officials are flagging, you can build a much stronger personal defense. ...

How to Spot and Stop the Latest Scam Trends in 2026 During this year’s National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar to outline the most prevalent and evolving scams that are currently targeting the public. While the specifics of fraud tactics shift, the underlying goal remains the same: to trick you into handing over money or sensitive personal information. ...

The “Pig Butchering” Scam: A Disturbing New Twist on Financial Fraud You receive a friendly, seemingly accidental message on social media, WhatsApp, or a dating app. The person on the other end is charming, engaging, and over weeks or months, builds a genuine-seeming connection. They talk about life, family, and eventually, a fantastic investment opportunity that has made them significant wealth. They want to help you do the same. ...

Don’t Get Tricked: Spotting and Stopping Gift Card Scams A simple gift card has become one of a scammer’s favorite tools. They’re easy to buy, hard to trace, and funds can be drained in an instant. This threat is significant enough that law enforcement officials are issuing direct warnings to the public. Recently, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert specifically to warn residents about a rise in sophisticated gift card scams. ...

How to Spot and Avoid the Newest Scams Targeting You Today Introduction Staying informed about how scammers operate isn’t just about avoiding annoyance—it’s a critical part of protecting your money, personal information, and peace of mind. Scammers constantly refine their tactics, exploiting new technologies and current events to appear more convincing. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar during National Consumer Protection Week, pulling back the curtain on the latest trends they’re seeing. This article breaks down those key trends into clear, actionable knowledge you can use to shield yourself and your family. ...

Your Guide to National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Staying Ahead of Scammers National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) returns in March 2026, led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). This annual event is more than a reminder—it’s a coordinated effort to arm the public with knowledge against ever-evolving fraud. As scammers refine their tactics, the guidance from the FTC becomes increasingly critical for everyday financial and digital safety. ...

Don’t Get Fooled: Why Officials Are Issuing Urgent Warnings About Gift Card Scams If someone calls, texts, or emails you with an urgent demand to pay them with gift cards, it’s not a legitimate request. It’s a scam. ...