Fraud Prevention

New iPhone Scam Uses Fake Alerts to Target Bank Accounts Security experts are sounding the alarm about a sophisticated new scam specifically targeting iPhone users, designed to trick them into handing over access to their banking apps and sensitive financial information. Reports indicate this scheme can lead to drained accounts if users fall for its convincing tactics. Understanding how this scam works is the first step to ensuring your money stays safe. ...

How to Spot and Stop the Latest Scams: A Guide from Consumer Alerts During National Consumer Protection Week, regulators like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ramp up efforts to inform the public. A recent FTC webinar underscored a critical point: while the core goals of scammers remain the same—to steal money and personal information—their methods are constantly evolving. Staying informed about these trends isn’t just helpful; it’s a necessary part of modern financial and digital safety. ...

A Warning About Investment Scams on Facebook and Instagram If you spend any time on Facebook or Instagram, you’ve likely seen them: ads or posts promising unbelievable investment returns with little to no risk. A recent official warning urges you to view these offers with extreme skepticism. ...

The Scams You’re Most Likely to Face This Year, According to the FTC With National Consumer Protection Week shining a spotlight on fraud prevention, the Federal Trade Commission recently held a webinar to outline the scam tactics that are currently tricking people most often. While the specific methods may evolve, the core strategies of scammers remain consistent: exploiting trust, creating urgency, and using modern technology to appear legitimate. ...

Gift Card Scams Are Surging: Here’s How to Protect Yourself Recently, Washington D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a consumer alert warning residents about a sharp rise in gift card scams. This official notice underscores a troubling and widespread trend: scammers are increasingly demanding payment in the form of gift cards, a tactic that is both effective for criminals and devastating for victims. Understanding how these scams work is the first and most crucial step in avoiding them. ...

Your 2026 Guide to Everyday Fraud Protection It’s officially National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), an annual initiative led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to spotlight the ways you can guard your money and personal information. While the official week is a focused campaign, the guidance it promotes is relevant every single day. The landscape of scams never stands still, but the core principles of vigilance and smart habits remain your best defense. This year’s focus is a reminder that effective protection doesn’t require advanced technical skills—it’s about applying consistent, practical steps to your daily digital life. ...

How to Spot and Stop Gift Card Scams: A Consumer Guide If someone demands payment via a gift card, it is almost certainly a scam. That’s the unequivocal warning from the District of Columbia Attorney General, Brian Schwalb, in a recent consumer alert. His office is urging residents to be vigilant, as fraudsters continue to exploit gift cards as a preferred tool for theft. ...

New Scams Are Getting More Convincing—Here’s How to Stay Safe Every day, our inboxes, text threads, and phone lines are flooded with messages. Most are harmless, but an increasing number are carefully crafted traps designed to steal money and personal information. Scammers are relentless innovators, constantly refining their tactics to exploit our trust and urgency. During a recent National Consumer Protection Week webinar, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) highlighted the latest evolution of these schemes, providing a crucial snapshot of what to watch for right now. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Gift Card Scams: A Practical Guide for Everyone Gift cards are meant to be a convenient present or a simple way to budget spending. Unfortunately, they’ve also become a favorite tool for scammers. The problem is widespread enough that consumer protection agencies regularly issue warnings. Most recently, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb highlighted the threat in an official alert to residents, urging heightened vigilance. These scams aren’t confined to one city or region—they target people everywhere. Understanding how they work is the first step in protecting yourself and your money. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams Every year, National Consumer Protection Week serves as a critical reminder to review our defenses against fraud. This year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to spotlight the scam trends that are currently costing consumers the most money and peace of mind. While the full details are best heard from the source, the overarching message is clear: scammers are refining their tactics, but a few key principles can help you stay safe. ...