Fraud Prevention

What We Learned About Fighting Scams During Consumer Protection Week The annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) has wrapped up for 2026. Led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), this event serves as a focused reminder that scams are constantly evolving, and our defenses need to keep pace. While the designated week is a catalyst for awareness, the advice it highlights is designed for year-round use. This year’s messages cut through the noise, zeroing in on some of the most pervasive and costly tricks targeting people today. ...

Don’t Get Wrapped Up in a Gift Card Scam A new warning from the District of Columbia’s Attorney General, Brian Schwalb, serves as a sharp reminder: gift card scams aren’t a seasonal fluke or a problem that only happens to others. They are a persistent and effective form of fraud that continues to trap thousands of people each year. These scams succeed because they exploit trust, urgency, and the seemingly innocuous nature of a gift card. ...

Gift Card Scams Are Surging: How to Spot Them and Protect Your Money A new public alert from D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb is putting a spotlight on a persistent and costly threat: gift card scams. While the warning was issued to District residents in December 2025, the tactics described are used against people nationwide every single day. These scams rely on pressure, deception, and the irreversible nature of gift card payments to steal millions from unsuspecting consumers. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About the Latest Wave of Scams If your inbox feels like a minefield of suspicious messages and your phone rings with unknown numbers, you’re not alone. Scammers are refining their tactics, and it’s becoming harder to tell a genuine offer from a sophisticated fraud. Recently, during National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to shed light on the most pressing scam trends of the moment. Their goal was clear: to equip everyday people with the knowledge to spot and stop fraud before it causes harm. ...

How to Spot and Stop the Latest Scams: Insights from the FTC’s Consumer Protection Week Scammers never take a holiday, but every March, consumer advocates do get a powerful platform to fight back. During National Consumer Protection Week, agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ramp up their efforts to educate the public. A recent FTC webinar, as highlighted in industry coverage, served as a critical update on the evolving tactics fraudsters are using to separate people from their money and personal information. Staying informed isn’t just about awareness; it’s your first and most effective line of defense. ...

Gift Card Scams Are Surging: Here’s How to Protect Yourself If someone demands payment with a gift card, it’s a scam. Full stop. That’s the unequivocal warning from Attorney General Brian Schwalb, who issued a direct alert to District of Columbia residents in December 2025. This official notice highlights a disturbing and persistent trend: fraudsters are increasingly manipulating victims into purchasing gift cards under false pretenses, leading to rapid, irreversible financial loss. While the alert targeted local residents, the tactics described are a nationwide problem. Understanding how these scams work is your first and best defense. ...

The Latest Scam Tactics and How to Fight Back Every year, National Consumer Protection Week serves as a critical reminder to review our digital defenses. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar to outline the most pervasive and evolving scams currently threatening consumers. While the tactics may shift, the core goal of fraudsters remains the same: to steal your money or personal information through deception. ...

What Scammers Don’t Want You to Know: Practical Advice from Consumer Protection Week National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is an annual event led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the lead-up to 2026 is already highlighting critical threats facing consumers today. While the week itself is a valuable awareness campaign, the core advice it offers is useful year-round. Based on consistent warnings from the FTC, one type of fraud stands out for its prevalence and effectiveness: impersonation scams. ...

The FTC’s Latest Warning: The Scams That Are Fooling People Now During this year’s National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to sound the alarm on the most pervasive scams currently targeting consumers. While the specific tactics are constantly evolving, the goal of fraudsters remains the same: to steal your money or personal information by exploiting urgency, fear, and trust. ...

That Urgent Call for Gift Cards Is a Scam: Here’s How to Protect Yourself In December 2025, Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a direct warning to District of Columbia residents: gift card scams are a persistent and costly threat. This official alert underscores a simple, devastating reality—if someone demands payment via gift card, it is almost certainly a fraud. ...