Privacy

Beyond the Headlines: Lasting Safety Lessons from Consumer Protection Week Every March, National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) rolls around, spearheaded by agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). While the official week is a concentrated burst of awareness, the core advice it promotes is valuable year-round. The goal isn’t just to highlight the problem of scams and fraud; it’s to equip you with durable, practical habits to protect your money, your privacy, and your peace of mind. ...

Don’t Get Tricked: Key Scams to Watch Now and How to Fight Back Every year, scams evolve, and the tactics fraudsters use become more convincing. Recently, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to shine a light on the latest trends targeting consumers. The goal was clear: to empower people with knowledge before they become victims. ...

Essential Consumer Protection Tips for 2026: How to Outsmart Scammers National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is an annual initiative led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), typically held in early March. For 2026, the focus remains sharply on equipping you with the knowledge to recognize, avoid, and report the most pervasive scams threatening your wallet and personal information today. While the specific weekly dates for 2026 are yet to be finalized, the FTC’s consistent advice provides a reliable defense playbook you can use right now. ...

Gift Card Scams Are Still a Major Threat. Here’s How to Protect Yourself. If someone official-sounding calls and demands immediate payment via gift card, it’s a scam. Full stop. This simple rule is at the heart of a recent consumer alert from District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb, who warned residents about the persistent danger of gift card payment demands. While the warning was localized, the scam it describes is a nationwide epidemic targeting everyone, from students to seniors. ...

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. ...