Cybersecurity

The Latest Scam Playbook: What Fraudsters Are Pushing Now Every year, scammers refine their tactics, finding new ways to exploit trust and urgency. During a recent National Consumer Protection Week webinar, officials from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) highlighted the latest trends they’re seeing in consumer fraud. While we can’t replay the entire session, understanding these patterns is crucial for staying ahead of the threats. Based on the FTC’s ongoing alerts and the themes of such events, here’s what you need to watch for and how to protect yourself. ...

Don’t Get Tricked: The Latest Scam Trends You Need to Know About Every day, scammers refine their tactics, making it harder to tell a legitimate offer from a clever trap. Staying ahead of them requires knowing what to look for. Recently, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to highlight the current scam landscape. Their insights provide a crucial snapshot of the most pressing threats targeting consumers today. Let’s break down what they revealed and, more importantly, what you can do about it. ...

That Urgent Gift Card Request? It’s a Scam. Here’s What to Know. In December 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a public alert warning residents about a persistent and damaging threat: gift card scams. This official warning underscores a simple, brutal fact—no legitimate government agency, utility company, tech support service, or business will ever demand payment via a gift card. Yet, these scams continue to drain bank accounts because they exploit urgency, fear, and a desire to be helpful. ...

How to Use National Consumer Protection Week to Lock Down Your Digital Life Every March, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leads National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). It’s a focused effort to arm people with the knowledge they need to navigate an increasingly complex marketplace, especially online. As we look ahead to NCPW 2026, the core message remains urgent: proactive defense is your best tool against fraud, identity theft, and digital scams. ...

The Latest Scams Are Getting Sneakier: What the FTC Wants You to Know Scams can feel like a constant, ever-shifting threat. Just when you learn to spot one scheme, another emerges, dressed in new digital clothing. That’s why updates from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are so valuable. During a recent National Consumer Protection Week webinar, the agency shed light on the fraud trends currently tricking the most people. While the exact transcript isn’t public, the FTC consistently reports on the patterns where consumers are losing money and peace of mind. ...

That Urgent Call for Gift Cards? It’s Likely a Scam. If someone calls, texts, or emails demanding immediate payment with a gift card, it’s almost certainly a fraud attempt. This simple warning is at the heart of consumer alerts from authorities across the country. In a recent and typical advisory, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a direct warning to residents about the enduring threat of gift card scams. ...

FTC Webinar Highlights Key Scam Trends: What You Need to Know Now A recent Federal Trade Commission (FTC) webinar, held during National Consumer Protection Week, served as a timely reminder that scammers are endlessly inventive. The session underscored how fraudsters continuously refine their tactics to exploit current events, new technologies, and human psychology. While the full details of the webinar aren’t publicly available, reports from organizations like ACA International confirm its focus on emerging threats. For anyone navigating today’s digital and phone-based landscape, understanding these trends is a critical first line of defense. ...

That Unexpected Request for Gift Cards? It’s Almost Certainly a Scam If someone urgently insists you pay them with gift cards, stop immediately. You are almost certainly being targeted by a scam. This isn’t just speculation; it’s the core message from a recent consumer alert issued by Washington D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb. The warning underscores that despite being a well-known tactic, gift card scams continue to trap people, fueled by convincing lies and high-pressure tactics. ...

How to Spot and Steer Clear of “Pig Butchering” Scams In an increasingly digital world, scams evolve to exploit our trust and hopes. One of the most damaging schemes circulating today is known as “pig butchering.” Recently, New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a formal consumer alert warning residents about this specific threat. Unlike a quick con, this scam is a long-game operation that builds a false sense of security before the devastating financial blow. Understanding its mechanics is your first and best line of defense. ...

The Scams to Watch for Now: Insights from the FTC’s Latest Alert With each passing year, scams don’t just persist—they evolve. Criminals refine their tactics, exploit new technologies, and prey on current events to catch people off guard. That’s why the consistent guidance from watchdogs like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is so valuable. During a recent National Consumer Protection Week webinar, the agency highlighted the scam trends that are causing the most financial harm right now. While we don’t have a full transcript, the key takeaways offer a crucial snapshot of the current threat landscape. ...