FTC Webinar Scam Trends: What Consumers Should Know Each year during National Consumer Protection Week (the first full week of March), the Federal Trade Commission releases new data on the fraud landscape. This year’s webinar zeroed in on the scams consumers are most likely to encounter right now—and how to spot them before it’s too late. ...
Attorney General Warns of Investment Scams on Meta Platforms: What to Watch For If you use Facebook or Instagram, chances are you’ve seen ads or messages promoting “can’t-miss” investment opportunities. Cryptocurrency schemes, celebrity-endorsed trading platforms, and early-stage stock tips are common. What’s less obvious is that many of these offers are scams designed to steal your money. ...
Gift Card Scams Are on the Rise: How to Spot Them and Protect Your Money If you get a call demanding payment with a gift card, it’s a scam. That message comes not only from consumer advocates but recently from the District of Columbia Attorney General’s office, which issued an alert warning residents about a surge in gift card fraud. While the alert targeted Washington, D.C., the scam itself is nationwide. Gift card scams are among the most frequently reported types of fraud to the Federal Trade Commission. Understanding how they work—and what to do if you’ve been targeted—can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. ...
Don’t Get Duped by Fake Parking Tickets – A New Scam Is Targeting Drivers If you get a text or email saying you owe a parking fine and need to pay immediately, do not click the link. A wave of phishing scams is impersonating state DMVs and parking authorities, and the North Carolina Department of Justice has issued an official consumer alert. Similar schemes have appeared in other states, often following the launch of digital payment systems for parking or toll violations. Here is what you need to know to spot the fraud and protect your money. ...
Gift Card Scams Are Surging: How to Spot and Avoid Them Gift cards are convenient, but they’ve also become a favorite tool for scammers. In December 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert warning residents about a spike in gift card fraud. While the alert is aimed at Washington, D.C., the tactics used are widespread, and the advice applies to consumers everywhere. ...
Don’t Get Wrapped Up in a Scam: How to Protect Yourself from Gift Card Fraud Gift cards are meant to be a simple, thoughtful present. Unfortunately, their convenience and ease of use have also made them a favorite tool for scammers. This isn’t just a minor annoyance—it’s a serious and widespread form of fraud that costs consumers millions each year. Recently, Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert specifically warning District residents about the ongoing threat of gift card scams, underscoring the need for public vigilance. ...
Don’t Get Towed by a Fake Ticket: Spotting the New Parking Violation Scam If you drive in North Carolina, be careful about any urgent message claiming you owe money for a parking violation. According to a March 2026 alert from the state’s Department of Justice (NCDOJ), scammers are sending out fake parking tickets to trick drivers into paying up and handing over personal information. ...
What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams Staying ahead of scammers can feel like a full-time job. Just as you learn to spot one trick, they invent a new one. That’s why the information shared during National Consumer Protection Week is so valuable. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar to spotlight the latest scam trends, providing a crucial update on what fraudsters are pushing now and how you can defend yourself. ...
What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams Staying ahead of scammers is a constant challenge. Their tactics shift with technology and current events, making yesterday’s advice sometimes insufficient for today’s threats. During a recent National Consumer Protection Week webinar, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) highlighted the evolving landscape of fraud, offering crucial insights to help consumers guard their wallets and personal information. Understanding these trends isn’t about fostering fear; it’s about building practical awareness. ...
How to Spot and Stop a “Pig Butchering” Scam You receive a friendly, unexpected message. Maybe it’s on a dating app, social media, or even a wrong-number text. The person on the other end is charming, builds a connection over weeks or months, and eventually starts talking about a fantastic financial opportunity. This slow, calculated process is the hallmark of a “pig butchering” scam, and it’s costing victims their life savings. Recently, New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert specifically warning residents about this sophisticated fraud. ...