Payment Scams

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 They Work and How to Avoid Them In December 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert warning residents about a surge in gift card scams. The announcement is a useful reminder for consumers everywhere because this type of fraud rarely respects state lines. Gift card scams have become one of the most frequently reported fraud types to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and they tend to spike around the holidays when many people are buying and using gift cards anyway. ...

Gift Card Scams Are Everywhere: How to Protect Yourself Introduction Gift cards are convenient presents, but they’ve also become a favorite payment method for scammers. Because they are nearly untraceable and can be spent quickly, fraudsters regularly pressure victims into buying them and handing over the codes. In December 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a consumer alert to warn residents about the persistence of gift card scams and to offer clear steps to avoid them. This article draws on that official guidance — along with broader federal data — to help you recognize the red flags and know what to do if you or someone you know is targeted. ...

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. ...

Don’t Let a Fake Call Turn Your Lights Out: How to Spot a Utility Scam Imagine this: your phone rings. The caller ID might even show a local number or the name of your electric or gas company. A stern voice informs you that your payment is overdue, your service will be disconnected within the hour, and you must pay immediately—usually with a prepaid debit card, gift card, or a peer-to-peer payment app. ...

The Latest Utility Scam: What to Do When “The Power Company” Calls for Payment If your phone rings and the caller ID shows your local utility company, your first instinct might be to pick up. But be careful: that sense of urgency is exactly what scammers are banking on. Recently, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) issued a clear reminder that serves as a warning for everyone: legitimate utility companies do not make unsolicited calls to demand immediate payment. This isn’t a new scam, but it’s a persistent and convincing one that continues to trap people. ...

When the “Power Company” Calls, It Might Be a Scam A recent alert from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) delivers a stark reminder: the agency does not call customers out of the blue to demand immediate payment. This warning highlights a persistent and damaging fraud—the utility impostor scam. As these schemes evolve, understanding how they work is your best defense. Let’s break down the tactics scammers use and what you can do to protect yourself. ...

A Real Warning About Fake Utility Calls If your phone rings and someone claims to be from the “utility commission” demanding immediate payment to avoid your power being shut off, hang up. It’s a scam. ...

That Call from the “Government” Demanding Money? It’s a Scam You’re going about your day when the phone rings. The caller ID might even show a somewhat official-looking number. The person on the other end claims to be from a government agency—the utility commission, the IRS, or Social Security. They say you owe money immediately, and if you don’t pay right now, they’ll disconnect your service, suspend your license, or even have you arrested. Your heart races. This feels real, and the pressure is intense. ...