New Scam Trends You Should Know About in 2026, According to the FTC If you missed the Federal Trade Commission’s annual webinar during National Consumer Protection Week last month, you are not alone. But the trends the agency highlighted are worth catching up on. Scammers are refining old tricks with new technology, and the financial losses they cause continue to climb. ...
Latest Scam Trends from FTC Webinar: What to Watch for in 2026 Every year during National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) holds a webinar to walk through the scams that are costing Americans the most money and causing the greatest harm. This year’s session, summarized by ACA International, highlighted several persistent threats — and a few newer twists on old tricks. If you missed the live event, here’s a practical rundown of what was covered and how you can protect yourself. ...
Gift Card Scams Are Everywhere: How to Protect Yourself Introduction Gift cards are convenient presents, but they’ve also become a favorite payment method for scammers. Because they are nearly untraceable and can be spent quickly, fraudsters regularly pressure victims into buying them and handing over the codes. In December 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a consumer alert to warn residents about the persistence of gift card scams and to offer clear steps to avoid them. This article draws on that official guidance — along with broader federal data — to help you recognize the red flags and know what to do if you or someone you know is targeted. ...
Latest Scam Trends: FTC Webinar Highlights and What You Need to Know Every year during National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission releases its most recent fraud data and holds a webinar to walk through the major trends. This year’s session, held in early March 2026, confirmed what many consumer advocates have been seeing: scammers are getting more sophisticated, and losses are climbing. ...
Your Guide to National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Essential Scam Advice from the FTC National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 wrapped up in early March, coordinated by the Federal Trade Commission and numerous partners. Each year, the campaign draws attention to the most pressing consumer threats and, more importantly, what you can do about them. If you missed the events or just want a clear recap of the core advice, here is what the FTC emphasized and how you can apply it year-round. ...
Gift Card Scams Are on the Rise: What You Need to Know to Avoid Being Tricked Intro Gift cards are a convenient present, but they’ve also become a favorite tool for scammers. On December 15, 2025, Washington D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert warning District residents about a surge in gift card scams. While the alert targets local consumers, the tactics and takeaways apply nationwide. If you receive an unexpected call, text, or email demanding payment via a gift card, it’s almost certainly a scam. ...
New Scam Trends Identified in FTC Webinar – What to Watch For During National Consumer Protection Week in early March 2026, the Federal Trade Commission held a webinar that outlined the most pressing scam threats facing consumers. The session, which was also covered by ACA International, offered a snapshot of current fraud patterns and practical ways to avoid them. If you are worried about identity theft or losing money to a scam, the following trends and tips are worth knowing. ...
Lessons from National Consumer Protection Week 2026: FTC Advice That’s Still Worth Following National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 came and went in early March, but the advice the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) put out during that week is the kind that doesn’t expire. If you missed the official campaign, or even if you saw parts of it, the core messages about spotting scams and protecting your personal information are worth revisiting. ...
How to Spot and Avoid Gift Card Scams: A New Alert from D.C.’s Attorney General In mid-December 2025, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a consumer alert warning District residents about a surge in gift card scams. The alert is short, but it underscores a problem that drains hundreds of millions of dollars from Americans every year. The tactics scammers use are remarkably consistent—and once you know them, they become much easier to spot. ...
NCPW 2026 Recap: The Scams You Need to Watch Right Now National Consumer Protection Week 2026 ran from March 2 to 6, but the fraud warnings the FTC published during that week are just as relevant now. If you missed the event, or if you could use a refresher on the most common scams, this article covers the key points from the FTC’s campaign — and what you can do to protect yourself today. ...