Cybersecurity

Staying Ahead of Scammers: Practical Advice for Consumer Protection Week 2026 As we approach National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026, the annual campaign led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is shifting into gear. This event, typically held in March, isn’t just a calendar marker—it’s a concentrated push to equip people with the knowledge to defend their wallets and personal information. The landscape of fraud is always changing, but the core principles of protection remain steady. This year’s initiative underscores a critical message: vigilance is a daily habit, not a one-week event. ...

Gift Card Scams: How to Spot the Lies and Protect Your Money An official warning from the District of Columbia’s Attorney General, Brian Schwalb, is the latest reminder of a widespread problem: gift card scams are surging. These aren’t sophisticated digital heists; they are simple, high-pressure cons that trick people into willingly handing over their own money. By understanding how these scams work and recognizing the red flags, you can protect yourself and others from significant financial loss. ...

What Scammers Are Doing Now: Insights from the FTC’s Latest Update Keeping up with scam artists can feel like a full-time job. Just as you learn to spot one scheme, a new one emerges, more sophisticated and convincing than the last. This constant evolution is precisely why the guidance from official sources is so valuable. During the recent National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a timely webinar to shed light on the scam trends that are currently costing consumers the most money and peace of mind. ...

Don’t Get Tricked: How to Spot and Stop Gift Card Scams Gift cards are meant to be simple, convenient presents. But for scammers, they’ve become a favorite tool for stealing money quickly and anonymously. It’s a pervasive problem, prompting consumer protection agencies to issue regular warnings. Recently, Attorney General Brian Schwalb alerted District of Columbia residents about a surge in these schemes, underscoring that this is a national issue anyone could encounter. ...

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. ...

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. ...

New iPhone Scam Uses Fake Alerts to Target Bank Accounts Security experts are sounding the alarm about a sophisticated new scam specifically targeting iPhone users, designed to trick them into handing over access to their banking apps and sensitive financial information. Reports indicate this scheme can lead to drained accounts if users fall for its convincing tactics. Understanding how this scam works is the first step to ensuring your money stays safe. ...

How to Spot and Stop the Latest Scams: A Guide from Consumer Alerts During National Consumer Protection Week, regulators like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ramp up efforts to inform the public. A recent FTC webinar underscored a critical point: while the core goals of scammers remain the same—to steal money and personal information—their methods are constantly evolving. Staying informed about these trends isn’t just helpful; it’s a necessary part of modern financial and digital safety. ...

A Warning About Investment Scams on Facebook and Instagram If you spend any time on Facebook or Instagram, you’ve likely seen them: ads or posts promising unbelievable investment returns with little to no risk. A recent official warning urges you to view these offers with extreme skepticism. ...

How to Spot and Stop Gift Card Scams: A Consumer Guide If someone demands payment via a gift card, it is almost certainly a scam. That’s the unequivocal warning from the District of Columbia Attorney General, Brian Schwalb, in a recent consumer alert. His office is urging residents to be vigilant, as fraudsters continue to exploit gift cards as a preferred tool for theft. ...