Identity Theft

Gift Card Scams Are Still Everywhere: How to Spot Them and What to Do Introduction If you receive an unexpected phone call demanding payment by gift card, hang up. That is the simplest advice, yet thousands of people lose money to gift card scams every year. The Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia recently issued a consumer alert about this persistent fraud. While the warning targets Washington, D.C. residents, the tactics and protections apply to anyone, anywhere. ...

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. ...

Don’t Let Scammers Win: FTC’s Best Consumer Advice From NCPW 2026 (Use It Any Time) National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 took place in early March, as it does every year. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) used the occasion to release fresh consumer alerts, updated scam warnings, and practical guidance. Even if you missed the event, the advice remains just as relevant today—scammers and identity thieves do not take holidays, and the tactics that worked in March often keep working through the rest of the year. ...

Gift Card Scams Are on the Rise: How to Recognize and Avoid Them In December 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a consumer alert warning residents about a surge in gift card scams. The alert describes fraudsters who call, email, or show up in person pretending to be from government agencies, utility companies, or well-known businesses. They insist you pay an overdue bill, a fine, or a supposed debt by purchasing gift cards and reading them the numbers on the back. Once you do, the money is gone—and it is almost impossible to recover. ...

What to Know for National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Key Scams and Tips National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 is now underway. Organized each year by the Federal Trade Commission, the campaign runs through the first full week of March—this year marking the 28th anniversary. Its purpose is straightforward: to give people the information they need to avoid fraud, spot deceptive practices, and know where to turn if something goes wrong. ...

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 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. ...

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. ...

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. ...