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What You Need to Know for Consumer Protection Week 2026 Every year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) spearheads National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), a dedicated time to highlight the tools and knowledge that can help you defend against scams and fraud. As we approach NCPW 2026, the landscape of threats continues to evolve, but the core principles of staying vigilant and knowing how to respond remain your best defense. ...

Don’t Get Fooled: Practical Ways to Outsmart Today’s Top Scams With another National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) upon us, federal agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are doubling down on their mission: equipping you with the knowledge to protect your money and your identity. Scammers aren’t taking a break, and their tactics are constantly evolving. This week serves as a crucial reminder to review your defenses. The core advice remains timeless, but applying it requires understanding the current landscape of fraud. ...

Stay Ahead of Scammers: Key Takeaways from the FTC’s Latest Update Keeping up with the latest tricks used by scammers can feel like a full-time job. Just as you learn to spot one scheme, another emerges. That’s why the consistent advice from consumer protection experts is so valuable. During a recent National Consumer Protection Week webinar, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) highlighted ongoing and evolving scam trends that every consumer should know. The core message remains clear: awareness is your first and most powerful line of defense. ...

The Scams in Your Inbox Right Now: What the FTC Says is Changing If you feel like you’re hearing about more scams lately, you’re not imagining it. Fraud is evolving, becoming more sophisticated and harder to spot. Recently, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar to shed light on the latest trends they’re seeing. The goal wasn’t to scare people, but to arm them with the knowledge to fight back. ...

Don’t Get Wrapped Up in a Gift Card Scam A new warning from the District of Columbia’s Attorney General, Brian Schwalb, serves as a sharp reminder: gift card scams aren’t a seasonal fluke or a problem that only happens to others. They are a persistent and effective form of fraud that continues to trap thousands of people each year. These scams succeed because they exploit trust, urgency, and the seemingly innocuous nature of a gift card. ...

Gift Card Scams Are Surging: How to Spot Them and Protect Your Money A new public alert from D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb is putting a spotlight on a persistent and costly threat: gift card scams. While the warning was issued to District residents in December 2025, the tactics described are used against people nationwide every single day. These scams rely on pressure, deception, and the irreversible nature of gift card payments to steal millions from unsuspecting consumers. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About the Latest Wave of Scams If your inbox feels like a minefield of suspicious messages and your phone rings with unknown numbers, you’re not alone. Scammers are refining their tactics, and it’s becoming harder to tell a genuine offer from a sophisticated fraud. Recently, during National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to shed light on the most pressing scam trends of the moment. Their goal was clear: to equip everyday people with the knowledge to spot and stop fraud before it causes harm. ...

What You Really Need to Know to Avoid Scams in 2026 As National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 approaches, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is gearing up to provide its latest, most relevant guidance. This annual event is more than just a calendar note; it’s a concentrated effort to arm you with the knowledge to protect your money and your identity. The scams of tomorrow are already taking shape today, and being prepared is your first line of defense. ...

Staying Ahead of Scams: Practical Lessons from Consumer Protection Week Every year, National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) serves as a crucial reminder to pause and review our digital and financial defenses. For 2026, the Federal Trade Commission’s guidance continues to spotlight a troubling consistency: the most effective scams are often the oldest tricks, repackaged for new technology. The core lesson remains that vigilance, not technical expertise, is your best defense. ...

Practical Lessons from Consumer Protection Week: How to Spot and Stop Scams Every March, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and hundreds of partner organizations observe National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). It’s a coordinated effort to arm people with the knowledge they need to avoid fraud and manage their money safely. While the specific themes evolve, the core goal remains the same: to turn awareness into action. ...