Identity Theft

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. ...

NCPW 2026: What to Keep from the Campaign After the Week Is Over National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 wrapped up in early March, but the advice the Federal Trade Commission promoted during that week is meant to last all year. If you missed the campaign or only caught parts of it, here’s a rundown of what was covered and—more importantly—what you can still do with that information today. ...

Latest Scam Trends From the FTC: What You Need to Know Now National Consumer Protection Week came and went in early March, but the information shared during the Federal Trade Commission’s webinars remains relevant. Scammers don’t take breaks, and the tactics they use keep shifting. If you missed the FTC’s briefings, here’s a summary of the key scam trends they highlighted and what you can do to protect yourself. ...

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 the Latest DC Attorney General Alert Means for You Gift cards are a convenient way to give someone a present. But scammers have turned them into a favorite payment method for fraud. In December 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert warning residents about the ongoing threat of gift card scams. The alert serves as a timely reminder that this type of fraud persists year after year, costing Americans hundreds of millions of dollars. ...