Privacy

Staying Ahead of Scams in 2026: Practical Advice from the FTC Every year, the tactics used by scammers become a bit more sophisticated. The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), scheduled for early March 2026, serves as a timely reminder to refresh our defenses. Rather than just promoting the event, let’s focus on the practical guidance it highlights. Here’s a look at the evolving threats you should watch for and concrete steps you can take to protect yourself. ...

Your Guide to National Consumer Protection Week 2026 For one week each March, a nationwide spotlight shines on a critical issue: keeping your money and identity safe. National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), is more than just an awareness campaign. It’s a concentrated effort to arm you with the knowledge and tools you need to fight back against scams and fraud. With NCPW 2026 on the horizon, now is the perfect time to understand what this week offers and how you can use its resources to build stronger personal defenses. ...

Don’t Get Tricked: The Latest Scam Trends You Need to Know About Every day, scammers refine their tactics, making it harder to tell a legitimate offer from a clever trap. Staying ahead of them requires knowing what to look for. Recently, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to highlight the current scam landscape. Their insights provide a crucial snapshot of the most pressing threats targeting consumers today. Let’s break down what they revealed and, more importantly, what you can do about it. ...

That Urgent Gift Card Request? It’s a Scam. Here’s What to Know. In December 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a public alert warning residents about a persistent and damaging threat: gift card scams. This official warning underscores a simple, brutal fact—no legitimate government agency, utility company, tech support service, or business will ever demand payment via a gift card. Yet, these scams continue to drain bank accounts because they exploit urgency, fear, and a desire to be helpful. ...

How to Use National Consumer Protection Week to Lock Down Your Digital Life Every March, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leads National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). It’s a focused effort to arm people with the knowledge they need to navigate an increasingly complex marketplace, especially online. As we look ahead to NCPW 2026, the core message remains urgent: proactive defense is your best tool against fraud, identity theft, and digital scams. ...

The Latest Scams Are Getting Sneakier: What the FTC Wants You to Know Scams can feel like a constant, ever-shifting threat. Just when you learn to spot one scheme, another emerges, dressed in new digital clothing. That’s why updates from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are so valuable. During a recent National Consumer Protection Week webinar, the agency shed light on the fraud trends currently tricking the most people. While the exact transcript isn’t public, the FTC consistently reports on the patterns where consumers are losing money and peace of mind. ...

That Urgent Call for Gift Cards? It’s Likely a Scam. If someone calls, texts, or emails demanding immediate payment with a gift card, it’s almost certainly a fraud attempt. This simple warning is at the heart of consumer alerts from authorities across the country. In a recent and typical advisory, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a direct warning to residents about the enduring threat of gift card scams. ...

That Unexpected Request for Gift Cards? It’s Almost Certainly a Scam If someone urgently insists you pay them with gift cards, stop immediately. You are almost certainly being targeted by a scam. This isn’t just speculation; it’s the core message from a recent consumer alert issued by Washington D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb. The warning underscores that despite being a well-known tactic, gift card scams continue to trap people, fueled by convincing lies and high-pressure tactics. ...

Your Guide to National Consumer Protection Week 2026 Each March, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) spearheads National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). It’s a coordinated campaign with one straightforward goal: to help you spot, avoid, and report scams and frauds. For 2026, the focus remains sharply on the digital landscape where threats are increasingly sophisticated. This week isn’t just about awareness; it’s an annual call to action to audit your own defenses and learn the latest strategies from the nation’s leading consumer protection agency. ...

Your 2026 Guide to Stopping Scams Before They Start Every year, as fraud tactics grow more sophisticated, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) dedicates a week to arming the public with the latest defenses. National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026, running in early March, is that critical annual checkpoint. It’s a nationwide effort involving government agencies and consumer advocates, all focused on a single goal: giving you the knowledge to protect your money and your identity. This year’s message is not about fear, but about practical, proactive steps. ...