Don’t Get Tricked: Your Guide to Spotting Gift Card Scams Imagine getting a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, your utility company, or even tech support. They say you owe money, your service will be cut off, or your computer is infected. The solution? They insist you pay immediately—not with a credit card or bank transfer—but with gift cards. This is the hallmark of a widespread and effective scam. ...
National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Your Practical Playbook for Scam Defense As we head into another year, the tactics scammers use to part us from our money and data grow more sophisticated. That’s why the annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), spearheaded by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), is more than just a calendar event—it’s a timely, focused opportunity to shore up your defenses. ...
Utility Scammers Are Calling. Here’s How to Hang Up on Them. If your phone rings with someone claiming to be from a utility commission or your power company, demanding immediate payment to avoid a shutoff, be very careful. It’s likely a scam. Authorities, including state Public Utility Commissions (PUCs), are issuing alerts about a persistent wave of impersonation fraud. The scammers sound convincing, but their goal is simple: to scare you into handing over money or personal information before you have time to think. ...
The Phone Call Threatening Your Power Is a Scam. Here’s What to Do. You’re at home when the phone rings. The caller ID might even look somewhat official. The person on the other end claims to be from your electric, water, or gas company. Their message is urgent and frightening: your payment is overdue, your service will be disconnected within the hour, and you must pay right now to avoid it. ...
Your Guide to Staying Safe from Scams, Inspired by National Consumer Protection Week Every March, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leads National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). While 2026’s event is on the horizon, the core message is timeless: protecting yourself from fraud is a year-round job. Scammers don’t take a holiday, and their tactics constantly evolve. ...
What National Consumer Protection Week 2026 Means for Your Wallet Every day, it seems there’s a new story about someone losing money to a clever scam. Whether it’s a convincing text about a package delivery or a heart-wrenching plea from a supposed relative, these threats are a constant, unsettling background noise in our digital lives. That’s why events like National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) are more than just a calendar note. ...
Utility Imposters Are Calling: How to Spot the Scam and Protect Yourself A recent alert from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) serves as a critical reminder for everyone: official agencies do not make unsolicited calls to demand immediate payment. Scammers, however, do it all the time. This isn’t just a Pennsylvania issue—it’s a widespread imposter scam where fraudsters pretend to be from your water, power, or gas company, using fear and urgency to steal your money. ...
An Official Alert on Gift Card Scams: How to Protect Yourself If you receive a call, text, or email insisting you must pay a debt, fix a problem, or help a loved one by sending gift card codes, it’s a scam. Full stop. That’s the clear and urgent warning recently issued by District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb, echoing alerts from consumer protection agencies nationwide. Scammers are increasingly demanding payment through gift cards because they are nearly impossible to trace or reverse once the codes are handed over. This warning serves as a critical reminder for all consumers, no matter where you live, to understand how these scams work and how to defend against them. ...
Your Guide to Staying Safe: Key Lessons from the FTC’s Consumer Protection Week 2026 The digital landscape is constantly shifting, and with it, the tactics of scammers and fraudsters. That’s why the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is more relevant than ever. As the agency kicks off NCPW 2026, the core message remains urgent: proactive knowledge is your first and best defense. ...
National Consumer Protection Week Returns: Your 2026 Guide to Spotting Scams Every March, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leads a coordinated effort to empower consumers. National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 is officially on the calendar, and the theme remains critically important: arming yourself with knowledge is the first line of defense against fraud. While the specific events for 2026 are still being finalized, the FTC consistently uses this week to highlight enduring threats and reinforce essential safety habits. This period serves as a crucial reminder to review your personal security practices. ...