Digital Safety

When a “Gift Card Emergency” Is a Scam in Disguise Attorney General Brian Schwalb recently issued a clear warning to District of Columbia residents: be extremely wary of anyone demanding payment via gift cards. This alert isn’t about a complex cyberattack; it’s about a simple, devastatingly effective trick that continues to drain bank accounts nationwide. While the warning originated in D.C., the advice applies to everyone, everywhere. ...

Don’t Get Tricked into Paying with a Gift Card: What That Urgent Call Really Means It starts with a call, a text, or an email. The person on the other end sounds official, maybe even threatening. They say you owe money to the IRS, that a family member is in jail, or that your computer has a virus only they can fix. Their solution is always the same: go buy a gift card and read them the numbers. It’s urgent, they insist. It must be done now. ...

What to Do When Someone Pretends to Be Your Bank, the Government, or a Loved One Every March, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and other consumer protection agencies mark National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). It’s a coordinated push to share advice that helps people recognize and avoid scams. While the week itself is a useful prompt, the guidance is designed for year-round use. ...

Gift Card Scams Are Still a Major Threat. Here’s How to Protect Yourself. If someone official-sounding calls and demands immediate payment via gift card, it’s a scam. Full stop. This simple rule is at the heart of a recent consumer alert from District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb, who warned residents about the persistent danger of gift card payment demands. While the warning was localized, the scam it describes is a nationwide epidemic targeting everyone, from students to seniors. ...

What You Need to Know for Consumer Protection Week 2026 Every year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) spearheads National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), a dedicated time to highlight the tools and knowledge that can help you defend against scams and fraud. As we approach NCPW 2026, the landscape of threats continues to evolve, but the core principles of staying vigilant and knowing how to respond remain your best defense. ...

Staying Safe Beyond the Headlines: Practical Lessons from Consumer Protection Week Every year, National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) serves as a crucial reminder of the scams and frauds that target everyday people. While the official events and announcements from agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are valuable, the real test comes in applying that awareness to our daily digital lives long after the week is over. The advice highlighted during NCPW 2026 isn’t just for a single week—it’s a set of essential practices for navigating an increasingly complex online world. ...

A Warning on Gift Card Scams: How to Protect Your Money If someone calls, texts, or emails you demanding payment with a gift card, it is almost certainly a scam. This simple warning is at the heart of a recent consumer alert from District of Columbia Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb, who is urging residents to be vigilant against one of the most common and effective forms of modern fraud. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams A recent FTC webinar, held during National Consumer Protection Week, cut through the noise to outline the most pressing fraud threats facing consumers right now. While scammers constantly refine their tactics, the agency identified several trends that are currently causing significant financial and emotional harm. The core message was clear: awareness and a few critical habits are your strongest defense. ...

Don’t Just Be a Consumer, Be a Protected One: Lessons from NCPW 2026 Every year, as winter turns to spring, there’s a week dedicated not to a holiday or a season, but to you: the consumer. National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), is a coordinated campaign to highlight your rights and arm you against fraud. As we look ahead to NCPW 2026, the core message remains critically urgent. Scams aren’t going away; they’re just putting on new disguises. This week serves as your annual reminder and refresh course on how to spot them, stop them, and safeguard what’s yours. ...

What We Learned About Fighting Scams During Consumer Protection Week The annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) has wrapped up for 2026. Led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), this event serves as a focused reminder that scams are constantly evolving, and our defenses need to keep pace. While the designated week is a catalyst for awareness, the advice it highlights is designed for year-round use. This year’s messages cut through the noise, zeroing in on some of the most pervasive and costly tricks targeting people today. ...