Fraud Prevention

When a Call, Text, or Email Demands a Gift Card Payment, It’s a Scam In December 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a direct alert to residents: be on high alert for gift card scams. This official warning underscores a persistent and damaging fraud tactic that shows no sign of slowing down. Scammers have perfected the art of using pressure, deception, and the irreversible nature of gift card payments to steal millions from consumers annually. Understanding how these scams work is your first and best line of defense. ...

Your 2026 Guide to Stopping Scams Before They Start Every year, as fraud tactics grow more sophisticated, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) dedicates a week to arming the public with the latest defenses. National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026, running in early March, is that critical annual checkpoint. It’s a nationwide effort involving government agencies and consumer advocates, all focused on a single goal: giving you the knowledge to protect your money and your identity. This year’s message is not about fear, but about practical, proactive steps. ...

Scammers Are Refining Their Playbook: What the FTC’s Latest Alert Means for You Last month, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a key webinar as part of National Consumer Protection Week. The central message was clear: while the core goals of fraudsters remain the same—to steal money and personal information—their methods are constantly evolving. The discussion highlighted how scammers are fine-tuning old schemes and exploiting new technologies to appear more convincing than ever. ...

How to Spot the Latest Scams: Key Takeaways from the FTC’s Recent Alert During National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to spotlight the most pervasive and emerging scams targeting consumers today. While the specific transcript isn’t public, these events consistently reveal the evolving tactics of fraudsters. The goal is always the same: to separate you from your money or personal information. Understanding the current landscape isn’t about fostering fear, but about building practical awareness. Here’s a breakdown of the common scam trends the FTC typically highlights and what you can do to protect yourself. ...

A Timely Reminder: Gift Cards Are for Gifts, Not for Scammers If someone you don’t know calls, texts, or emails you demanding payment with a gift card, stop. It’s a scam. Full stop. ...

Beyond the Headlines: Practical Fraud Prevention for 2026 National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is a coordinated campaign held every March, bringing together government agencies and consumer advocates to highlight critical safety information. For 2026, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is once again at the forefront, using the event to sharpen the public’s focus on evolving scams that target wallets and personal data. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams During a recent National Consumer Protection Week webinar, officials from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) laid out the evolving landscape of fraud. Their message was clear: while classic cons haven’t disappeared, scammers are constantly refining their tactics, using technology and current events to appear more convincing than ever. For anyone who banks online, shops on the internet, or simply has a phone, understanding these trends isn’t just helpful—it’s a necessary part of modern self-defense. ...

Your Guide to Staying Ahead of Scams in 2026 National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is a yearly campaign led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that brings together government agencies and consumer advocates to provide clear, actionable advice. For 2026, the focus remains on empowering you with the knowledge to navigate an increasingly digital world safely. While specific event details for 2026 are still being finalized, the FTC’s core guidance evolves from enduring threats and offers a reliable roadmap for protection. ...

What You Need to Know About the Latest Wave of Scams Each year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) uses National Consumer Protection Week to shine a spotlight on the most pressing fraud threats facing Americans. In a recent webinar, agency experts distilled the current scam landscape, revealing how old cons have evolved and which new tactics are catching people off guard. While the specific data from the latest session is still being compiled, the trends discussed align with the persistent and adaptive patterns of fraud the FTC continuously warns about. ...

A Guide to “Pig Butchering” Scams: How Fraudsters Use Trust to Steal Money In an era where digital connections are commonplace, a particularly insidious form of fraud has proliferated, earning the grim nickname of “pig butchering.” Recently, the New York State Attorney General’s office issued a consumer alert warning residents about these schemes. While the warning is geographically specific, the scam is a global threat that targets anyone with an online presence. Understanding how it works is your first line of defense. ...