Gift Card Scams Are Everywhere: How to Spot Them and What to Do If someone you don’t know demands payment with a gift card, it is almost certainly a scam. Gift cards are meant for giving, not for paying taxes, bail, utility bills, or tech support. Yet scammers continue to rely on them because once the card number and PIN are shared, the money is gone and nearly impossible to recover. ...
Gift Card Scams: How to Spot Them and What to Do Right Now Introduction Gift cards make convenient presents, but scammers have turned them into one of the most widely used payment methods for fraud. In December 2025, Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert warning Washington D.C. residents about the persistent threat of gift card scams. The official notice reminds consumers that no legitimate government agency, business, or utility company will ever demand payment in the form of gift cards. If you encounter such a request, it’s almost certainly a scam. ...
Gift Card Scams: How to Spot Them and What to Do Next Introduction Gift cards are a convenient way to give someone a present, but scammers have turned them into one of the most popular payment methods for fraud. In December 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a new alert warning residents about the continued prevalence of gift card scams and urging consumers to stay vigilant. This article explains what happened, why it matters, and what you can do to protect yourself—or take action if you’ve already been targeted. ...
After National Consumer Protection Week: How to Keep Applying the FTC’s Advice All Year National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 took place in early March, hosted by the Federal Trade Commission alongside a broad coalition of federal, state, and local agencies. While the official week has passed, the guidance released during NCPW remains the most concise, actionable set of consumer protection tips available from the U.S. government. If you missed the announcements or simply want a refresher, the core advice is worth reviewing now—especially with tax season in full swing and scammers adjusting their tactics year-round. ...
Top Consumer Protection Tips from the FTC’s National Consumer Protection Week 2026 Every year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) runs National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) to help Americans stay informed about scams, identity theft, and fraud. This year’s campaign, which ran in early March 2026, provided a fresh set of warnings and practical advice that remain relevant even after the official events ended. If you missed it, here’s a summary of the most important points and what you can do to protect yourself. ...
Don’t Get Butchered: How a New Scam Fattens Victims Before the Kill In a recent official alert, New York Attorney General Letitia James warned residents about a ruthless and growing form of financial fraud known as “pig butchering.” The name is as brutal as the crime: scammers spend weeks or months “fattening up” a victim with trust and affection, only to slaughter them financially. This isn’t a quick phishing email; it’s a long con played on human emotion, and it’s emptying bank accounts across the country. ...
What NCPW 2026 Teaches Us About Today’s Scams Every March, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) coordinates National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), a campaign dedicated to arming the public with knowledge against fraud. For 2026, the focus remains sharply on the digital threats that have become commonplace in our inboxes, text messages, and online marketplaces. While the official events and materials provide a wealth of information, the core advice boils down to recognizing persistent patterns and taking simple, defensive actions. ...
A Text Message from the Courts? Why You Should Be Skeptical You’re going about your day when your phone buzzes. A text message appears, claiming to be from a local court or government agency. It might mention a missed jury duty summons, a fine, or a suspicious package. The message urges you to click a link or call a number immediately to resolve an urgent issue. ...