Financial Safety

Your Guide to Avoiding Scams: Lessons from National Consumer Protection Week 2026 Every year in early March, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) runs National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) to remind people how to spot fraud and safeguard their money and identity. This year was no different. But the advice the FTC publishes during that week is not meant to be forgotten once the campaign wraps up. Scams evolve, but the patterns that make them work stay the same. If you missed NCPW 2026 — or just want a refresher you can come back to all year — this guide covers the scams that were hitting hardest in 2026 and the steps you can take right now to protect yourself. ...

Gift Card Scams Are on the Rise: How to Recognize and Avoid Them In December 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a consumer alert warning residents about a surge in gift card scams. The alert describes fraudsters who call, email, or show up in person pretending to be from government agencies, utility companies, or well-known businesses. They insist you pay an overdue bill, a fine, or a supposed debt by purchasing gift cards and reading them the numbers on the back. Once you do, the money is gone—and it is almost impossible to recover. ...

Gift Card Scams: What the Latest DC Attorney General Alert Means for You Gift cards are a convenient way to give someone a present. But scammers have turned them into a favorite payment method for fraud. In December 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert warning residents about the ongoing threat of gift card scams. The alert serves as a timely reminder that this type of fraud persists year after year, costing Americans hundreds of millions of dollars. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Gift Card Scams: What You Need to Know Gift card scams are one of the most persistent forms of consumer fraud. In December 2025, the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia issued an alert warning residents about a surge in these schemes. While the alert focused on Washington, D.C., the tactics described are used nationwide and year-round. Understanding how these scams work—and what to do if you encounter one—can save you from losing money that is nearly impossible to recover. ...

Gift Card Scams: How to Spot Them and What to Do Next Introduction Gift cards are a convenient way to give someone a present, but scammers have turned them into one of the most popular payment methods for fraud. In December 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a new alert warning residents about the continued prevalence of gift card scams and urging consumers to stay vigilant. This article explains what happened, why it matters, and what you can do to protect yourself—or take action if you’ve already been targeted. ...

Gift Card Scams: How to Spot Them and Protect Your Money If you receive a phone call, email, or text demanding that you pay a fine, a utility bill, or a debt with a gift card, hang up immediately. That is the core message behind a recent consumer alert from D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb, who warned District residents about the rising tide of gift card scams. While the alert specifically targets Washington, D.C., the tactics it describes are used nationwide and year-round, not just during the holidays. ...

Gift Card Scams: D.C. Attorney General Issues New Alert – Here’s How to Protect Yourself If you’ve ever received a call, email, or text demanding payment with a gift card—and it felt off—you were right to be suspicious. Gift card scams are one of the most persistent fraud tactics in the United States, and they show no signs of slowing down. In December 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a fresh alert warning residents about this exact threat. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Scams Every day, it seems scammers come up with a new story to separate us from our money or personal information. Staying ahead of these threats can feel like a full-time job. That’s why the recent insights from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), shared during National Consumer Protection Week, are so valuable. They cut through the noise and highlight exactly what fraudsters are doing right now. ...

The “Pig Butchering” Scam: What It Is and How to Avoid It You receive a friendly, seemingly accidental message on social media, WhatsApp, or a dating app. The person is charming, builds a connection over weeks, and shares stories of financial success through savvy investments. Eventually, they suggest you get in on the opportunity. This gradual, trust-based manipulation is the hallmark of a devastating financial fraud known as “pig butchering.” ...

Fraud Alerts vs. Credit Freezes: What You Need to Know to Protect Your Identity If you’re worried about someone opening a credit card or loan in your name, you’re right to be concerned. Identity theft remains a persistent threat, but thankfully, you have two powerful, free tools provided by law to guard your credit: fraud alerts and credit freezes. ...