Fraud Alert

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: Tips from the VA Online shopping has become second nature for most of us. A few clicks and your order is on the way. But the same convenience also attracts scammers. Fraudulent websites, phishing emails, and counterfeit goods cost consumers billions every year. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regularly publishes guidance to help veterans and all shoppers stay safe. Their advice is straightforward and worth following—especially during peak shopping seasons but applicable year-round. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Gift Card Scams: A Consumer Alert Gift cards are convenient gifts, but they have also become a favorite tool for scammers. In December 2025, Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert warning District residents about a surge in gift card scams targeting consumers across Washington, D.C. His office joined a growing chorus of law enforcement agencies urging people to recognize the warning signs before they lose money. ...

Gift Card Scams: How to Spot Them and What to Do If You’ve Been Targeted Introduction In mid-December 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a consumer alert warning residents about a surge in gift card scams. The alert underscores a simple but critical fact: no legitimate business, government agency, or utility company will ever demand payment in the form of gift cards. Yet these scams continue to cost Americans hundreds of millions of dollars each year, with older adults frequently among the hardest hit. Understanding how they work—and knowing exactly what to do if you or someone you know is targeted—can prevent financial harm. ...

Gift Card Scams: How to Spot Them and What to Do (Official Alert) Introduction Gift card scams remain one of the most persistent frauds targeting consumers across the United States. In December 2025, the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia issued a consumer alert about this exact threat. The alert, signed by Attorney General Brian Schwalb, warns District residents that scammers are increasingly demanding payment via gift cards and outlines steps to avoid becoming a victim. While the alert is specific to Washington, DC, the tactics described are used nationwide, and the advice applies to anyone who uses gift cards or digital payments. ...

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. ...

Lloyds Bank Issues Urgent Scam Alert: What UK Customers Need to Know A new warning from Lloyds Bank — here’s how to respond without getting caught out. What happened On 24 April 2026, a report on capitolskyline.com indicated that Lloyds Bank had issued a customer alert warning of a fresh wave of scams targeting its UK account holders. The alert, according to the report, urges customers to be wary of unsolicited contact that appears to come from the bank — often via phone call, text message, or email — and to avoid sharing personal or financial information. ...

Gift Card Scams Are Still Everywhere: What to Watch For and How to Protect Yourself Gift cards are meant to be presents for friends and family, not a way to pay the government, a utility company, or a tech support line. Yet scammers continue to pressure people into buying gift cards and handing over the codes. A recent alert from the D.C. Attorney General’s office highlights how common and costly this fraud remains. ...

National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Recognizing Scams and Taking Action National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 ran from March 1 through March 7, and the Federal Trade Commission used the occasion to release updated guidance on how to spot and avoid common scams. While the official week has passed, the advice remains as relevant as ever—scammers don’t take breaks. Whether you’re an experienced online shopper or helping a family member navigate digital life, understanding the tactics used today can save you money and stress. ...

Gift Card Scams Are Surging: How to Spot Them and Protect Your Money If you receive an unexpected phone call or email demanding payment with a gift card, you are almost certainly being targeted by a scammer. Gift card scams have become one of the most common and costly frauds in the United States, and law enforcement agencies across the country are seeing a sharp increase in reports. The reason is simple: once a gift card code is shared, the money is nearly impossible to recover. ...

What Are ‘Pig Butchering’ Scams? How to Spot and Avoid Them If you’ve ever received an unexpected text from a stranger who seems a little too friendly, or matched with someone on a dating app who quickly steers the conversation toward “investment opportunities,” you may have encountered a pig butchering scam. The term is grim but descriptive: fraudsters “fatten up” their victims with trust and affection before “slaughtering” them financially. ...