Identity Theft

Gift Card Scams: What to Watch For and How to Protect Yourself If you’ve ever received an urgent phone call demanding payment with a gift card, you’re not imagining things—it’s a hallmark of one of the most persistent consumer frauds today. Gift card scams have grown so common that consumer protection agencies across the country regularly issue warnings. In December 2025, Washington D.C.’s Attorney General Brian Schwalb released an alert specifically about these schemes, reminding residents—and by extension, all consumers—that gift cards are meant for giving, not for paying bills or debts. ...

National Consumer Protection Week 2026: FTC’s Key Advice to Stay Ahead of Scams National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 ran from March 1–7, and as in previous years, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) used the occasion to release a collection of plain-language consumer tips. The agency’s “Welcome to NCPW 2026” page serves as a central hub for advice on the most common frauds, practical steps to shield your finances, and instructions for reporting problems. While the official week has passed, the guidance is evergreen—scams don’t take holidays, and the same red flags appear year after year. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Gift Card Scams: What You Need to Know Gift card scams are one of the most persistent forms of consumer fraud. In December 2025, the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia issued an alert warning residents about a surge in these schemes. While the alert focused on Washington, D.C., the tactics described are used nationwide and year-round. Understanding how these scams work—and what to do if you encounter one—can save you from losing money that is nearly impossible to recover. ...

NCPW 2026: Essential Consumer Protection Advice You Can Use All Year National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 wrapped up in early March, but the advice the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) shared during that week is just as useful today. Whether you missed the event or want a refresher, the core message is simple: scams are persistent, but you can reduce your risk with a few straightforward habits. ...

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. ...

New Scam Trends Revealed in FTC Webinar: What Consumers Need to Know During National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission shared the latest tactics scammers are using and how to avoid them. ...

NCPW 2026: The Scams the FTC Wants You to Know About Every year, the Federal Trade Commission sets aside a week in March for National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), a coordinated push to equip people with the latest information on frauds and how to avoid them. The 2026 edition has come and gone, but the scam trends the FTC flagged remain very much alive. If you missed the campaign, or simply need a refresher, here’s what the agency highlighted and what you can do right now to protect yourself. ...

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. ...

New Lloyds Bank Scam Warning: How to Spot and Stop These Fraud Attempts Lloyds Bank has recently issued a customer alert about a surge in fraudulent schemes targeting UK account holders. The warning, published in April 2026, comes amid a broader rise in impersonation scams and so‑called “pay by bank” fraud, where criminals trick people into making payments directly from their accounts. If you hold an account with Lloyds – or any UK bank – understanding these tactics and knowing how to respond is essential. ...

National Consumer Protection Week 2026: What You Need to Know (and Do) All Year National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 ended on March 7, but the advice the FTC published for the event is still worth reading. If you missed it, or if you’ve already forgotten what you saw, here’s a quick refresher on the scams that keep coming back and how to shut them down. ...