Identity Theft

Gift Card Scams Are Everywhere: How to Spot Them and Protect Your Money In mid-December 2025, Washington, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert warning District residents about a surge in gift card scams. The notice highlighted a pattern that law enforcement agencies across the country have been tracking for years: fraudsters impersonating government officials, utility companies, or tech support agents who demand payment in the form of gift card codes. While the alert was directed at D.C. consumers, the advice applies to anyone who shops online or has ever received a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, Social Security Administration, or a well-known retailer. ...

National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Practical Advice to Avoid Scams and Fraud Every year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and a coalition of government agencies, advocacy groups, and businesses run National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). The 2026 edition took place March 2–6, and its goal was straightforward: give people the tools to recognize, avoid, and report fraud, identity theft, and other consumer scams. Even though the week itself has passed, the guidance remains timely. Here’s a look at what was covered and how you can apply the advice year-round. ...

NCPW 2026: Essential Consumer Protection Tips from the FTC National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 has come and gone, but the advice the Federal Trade Commission published during that week remains as useful as the day it came out. Scams evolve fast, but the basic patterns of fraud — someone pretending to be someone they’re not, pressuring you to act quickly, asking for money or personal information — stay the same. This article pulls together the most practical, actionable guidance from the FTC’s NCPW 2026 campaign so you can recognize common scams, protect your identity, and know exactly what to do if something goes wrong. ...

Gift Card Scams Are Everywhere – Here’s How to Outsmart Them Introduction If you’ve received a phone call, text, or email demanding payment with a gift card, you’re not alone. Recently, Attorney General Brian Schwalb of Washington, D.C., issued an alert warning District residents about the rapid rise in gift card scams. These scams are among the most profitable for fraudsters because gift cards are nearly impossible to trace once the PIN is shared. The good news is that recognizing the pattern can keep your money safe. ...

Don’t Let Scammers Win: Essential Tips from the FTC’s Consumer Protection Week 2026 National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 wrapped up in early March, but the advice the Federal Trade Commission shared during that week is worth keeping at hand all year. Whether you missed the live webinars or just want a clear summary of the most practical steps, here’s what you need to know to spot scams, protect your identity, and know what to do if something goes wrong. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Gift Card Scams: A Consumer Alert Gift cards are convenient gifts, but they have also become a favorite tool for scammers. In December 2025, Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert warning District residents about a surge in gift card scams targeting consumers across Washington, D.C. His office joined a growing chorus of law enforcement agencies urging people to recognize the warning signs before they lose money. ...

Gift Card Scams: How to Spot and Avoid Them — Advice from Consumer Alert Experts Gift cards make convenient presents, but they also make perfect cover for fraud. Scammers have long favored them because once the numbers on the back are shared, the money is nearly impossible to recover. Recent alerts from the District of Columbia’s Attorney General and other state consumer offices underscore that this threat is not going away. Whether you live in Washington, D.C., or anywhere else in the country, knowing how these scams work could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. ...

National Consumer Protection Week 2026: FTC’s Top Tips to Avoid Scams Every March, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leads National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) — a campaign that brings together government agencies, consumer groups, and businesses to spread practical advice on preventing fraud and safeguarding personal information. The 2026 edition offered a clear set of recommendations that are worth revisiting long after the week ends. If you missed the campaign, or simply want a refresher, here is a concise summary of what the FTC highlighted and how you can apply those lessons year-round. ...

Top Consumer Protection Tips from the FTC’s 2026 National Consumer Protection Week Every year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) dedicates the first full week of March to helping people avoid scams, protect their personal information, and know their rights as consumers. National Consumer Protection Week 2026 ran from March 1 to 7, and the FTC published a series of practical articles aimed at everyday consumers. If you missed the campaign or just want a quick recap, here are the most actionable takeaways from this year’s advice. ...

Gift Card Scams Are Everywhere: How to Spot and Stop Them Just before the holiday season, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert warning residents about a surge in gift card scams. The announcement, published on December 15, 2025, serves as a timely reminder for consumers everywhere: these scams are not limited to one jurisdiction. They happen year-round and spike whenever people are shopping or feeling generous. ...