A Timely Reminder: Gift Cards Are for Gifts, Not for Scammers If someone you don’t know calls, texts, or emails you demanding payment with a gift card, stop. It’s a scam. Full stop. ...
Your Guide to Staying Ahead of Scams in 2026 National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is a yearly campaign led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that brings together government agencies and consumer advocates to provide clear, actionable advice. For 2026, the focus remains on empowering you with the knowledge to navigate an increasingly digital world safely. While specific event details for 2026 are still being finalized, the FTC’s core guidance evolves from enduring threats and offers a reliable roadmap for protection. ...
What Are Scammers Pushing Now? Insights from the FTC’s Latest Update Every year, National Consumer Protection Week serves as a crucial reminder to review our defenses against fraud. This year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to spotlight the scam trends that are currently costing consumers the most money and causing the most stress. While the full details are best obtained directly from the FTC’s official materials, the discussion consistently points to a few enduring yet evolving threats that everyone should recognize. ...
Your 2026 Consumer Defense Plan: Navigating Scams with the FTC’s Guidance As National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 approaches, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is once again amplifying its call for public awareness. This annual event is more than a calendar reminder; it’s a coordinated push to equip you with the knowledge to defend against increasingly sophisticated fraud. While the exact theme for 2026 is still taking shape, the FTC’s consistent messaging provides a reliable roadmap for the threats you’re likely to face and the practical steps you can take right now. ...
Gift Card Scams: How to Recognize the Red Flags and Protect Your Money If someone calls demanding you pay them with a gift card, it’s a scam. This simple rule, emphasized by District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb in a recent consumer alert, is a critical defense against one of the most common and devastating frauds today. Gift card scams drain millions from consumers annually by leveraging fear, urgency, and the digital equivalent of untraceable cash. Understanding how these scams operate is the first step in ensuring you don’t become the next victim. ...
Gift Card Scams Are Everywhere. Here’s How to Protect Yourself. It’s an all-too-familiar story: a call, text, or email creates a sudden sense of urgency. A loved one is in jail and needs bail money. The IRS says you owe back taxes immediately or face arrest. A tech support agent claims your computer is infected and demands payment to fix it. In each case, the demand is the same: go buy a gift card and read the numbers over the phone. ...
Your Practical Guide to Consumer Safety in 2026 With National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 on the horizon, it’s a perfect time to reassess your defenses against fraud. This annual event, led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), focuses on empowering people with knowledge, and that’s precisely what we’ll do here. Scams are not disappearing; they’re evolving. The best defense is a clear understanding of current tactics and a simple plan of action. ...
National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Your Guide to Spotting and Stopping Scams Every March, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leads National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), a dedicated effort to arm the public with knowledge against fraud. For 2026, the spotlight is once again on a pervasive and costly threat: impersonation scams. These aren’t just random emails from a “prince”; they are sophisticated deceptions where scammers pretend to be someone you trust—a government agency, a well-known company, a tech support specialist, or even a family member in distress. ...
New Scam Tactics Are Here—Here’s What to Watch For Every year, scammers refine their tricks, and staying informed is your first line of defense. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar during National Consumer Protection Week to shed light on the latest fraud trends. The session underscored how these schemes are becoming more sophisticated and personalized. For everyday consumers, understanding these evolving tactics is no longer just helpful—it’s essential for safeguarding your finances and personal information. ...
What to Know About National Consumer Protection Week 2026 This week marks the beginning of National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026. While it may sound like just another awareness event, this annual campaign spearheaded by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and other agencies serves a critical purpose: to arm you with the knowledge to protect your money and identity. Each year, scammers refine their tactics, making consumer education not just helpful but essential. This NCPW, the focus remains on the digital threats that have become a persistent part of daily life. ...