Gift Card Scams Are Surging. Here’s How to Protect Your Money. If someone pressures you to pay them with a gift card, you are almost certainly talking to a scammer. This is the stark warning from consumer protection authorities, including District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb, who recently issued an alert to residents about the pervasive danger of these frauds. ...
That Urgent Amazon Recall Text? It’s Probably a Scam. If you’ve shopped online recently, a text message like this might look familiar: “URGENT: Your recent Amazon order is part of a safety recall. Click here to arrange your refund and replacement.” The message seems legitimate, pressing, and directly relevant to your purchases. It’s also a trap. ...
That Urgent Text Could Be a Scam: How to Spot the Latest Fraud Alert If you’ve received a text message recently claiming to be from a court, a delivery service, or a bank, you’re not alone—and you should be on guard. In early March 2026, the Philadelphia Courts issued a statewide consumer fraud alert warning residents of a surge in fake texting scams. These messages are designed to look legitimate, often impersonating trusted institutions to trick you into revealing personal information or sending money. ...
How to Spot and Stop the Newest Scams: Advice from the FTC In early March, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission hosted a public webinar to spotlight the scam tactics that are fooling people right now. The discussion served as a crucial reminder that while the core goals of fraud—stealing money and personal information—remain constant, the methods are continually evolving. Staying a step ahead requires knowing what to look for. ...
What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams Scammers are constantly refining their tactics, and keeping up can feel like a full-time job. Fortunately, during the recent National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar to spotlight the latest and most pervasive threats. The goal wasn’t to spread fear, but to provide a clear-eyed look at the current landscape so you can defend yourself. Here’s a breakdown of the key scam trends they highlighted and, most importantly, what you can do about them. ...
Beyond the Hype: Practical Scam Prevention Tips from the Experts Every day, consumers face a barrage of sophisticated attempts to separate them from their money or personal information. While scams constantly evolve, the core tactics and your best defenses often remain consistent. Recent guidance from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), highlighted during National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), provides a timely refresher on these essential protections. This isn’t about fear; it’s about building practical habits that make you a harder target. ...
Scammers Are Getting Sneakier: The Latest Tricks and How to Fight Back If you’ve ever felt a pang of suspicion when a text from your “bank” pops up, or hesitated at an urgent email from a “service you use,” you’re not alone. Scams are a constant background noise in our digital lives. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) turned up the volume on this conversation. During National Consumer Protection Week, they hosted a webinar specifically to dissect the latest scam trends targeting people right now. ...