Fraud Prevention

National Consumer Protection Week 2026: FTC’s Top Tips to Outsmart Scams Introduction National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 took place in early March, and as in previous years, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) used the occasion to release fresh consumer advice and highlight the most persistent threats. The campaign may have passed, but the scams it warned about haven’t. For anyone who missed the spotlight, or simply wants a clear, no‑nonsense refresher, the FTC’s guidance remains the best place to start. Here is what you need to know, based on the agency’s official materials. ...

Gift Card Scams: What to Watch For and How to Protect Yourself If you’ve ever received an urgent phone call demanding payment with a gift card, you’re not imagining things—it’s a hallmark of one of the most persistent consumer frauds today. Gift card scams have grown so common that consumer protection agencies across the country regularly issue warnings. In December 2025, Washington D.C.’s Attorney General Brian Schwalb released an alert specifically about these schemes, reminding residents—and by extension, all consumers—that gift cards are meant for giving, not for paying bills or debts. ...

National Consumer Protection Week 2026: FTC’s Key Advice to Stay Ahead of Scams National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 ran from March 1–7, and as in previous years, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) used the occasion to release a collection of plain-language consumer tips. The agency’s “Welcome to NCPW 2026” page serves as a central hub for advice on the most common frauds, practical steps to shield your finances, and instructions for reporting problems. While the official week has passed, the guidance is evergreen—scams don’t take holidays, and the same red flags appear year after year. ...

NCPW 2026: Essential Consumer Protection Advice You Can Use All Year National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 wrapped up in early March, but the advice the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) shared during that week is just as useful today. Whether you missed the event or want a refresher, the core message is simple: scams are persistent, but you can reduce your risk with a few straightforward habits. ...

NCPW 2026: What the FTC Wants You to Know About Scams This Year National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 ran from March 1 through March 7, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) once again used the occasion to highlight the most pressing consumer threats and the tools available to fight them. For anyone trying to stay ahead of fraud, the agency’s advice remains one of the most reliable starting points. ...

New Scam Trends Revealed in FTC Webinar: What Consumers Need to Know During National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission shared the latest tactics scammers are using and how to avoid them. ...

NCPW 2026: The Scams the FTC Wants You to Know About Every year, the Federal Trade Commission sets aside a week in March for National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), a coordinated push to equip people with the latest information on frauds and how to avoid them. The 2026 edition has come and gone, but the scam trends the FTC flagged remain very much alive. If you missed the campaign, or simply need a refresher, here’s what the agency highlighted and what you can do right now to protect yourself. ...

How to Spot and Avoid ‘Pig Butchering’ Investment Scams If you receive an unsolicited message from a stranger who seems charming, quickly turns the conversation toward investing, and pushes you to put money into a cryptocurrency platform you’ve never heard of, you might be in the crosshairs of a “pig butchering” scam. On February 17, 2026, New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert specifically warning residents about this growing fraud. Here is what you need to know to recognize it, avoid it, and act if you or someone you know has been targeted. ...

New FTC Report Reveals Top Scams to Watch Out for This Year Every March, the Federal Trade Commission hosts a series of events for National Consumer Protection Week, and this year’s webinar offered a sobering look at the current state of fraud in the United States. The agency presented updated data on the most common scams, the tactics criminals are using, and who they are targeting. For anyone trying to stay one step ahead of fraudsters, the key takeaways are worth paying attention to. ...

How to Spot and Avoid ‘Pig Butchering’ Crypto Romance Scams What Is a Pig Butchering Scam? The term “pig butchering” comes from the way scammers carefully “fatten up” a victim before taking their money. It blends social engineering — often starting on dating apps or social media — with fake cryptocurrency investments. The goal is to build trust over weeks or months, then convince you to send large sums to bogus trading platforms that show impressive but completely fabricated returns. ...