Scam Awareness

When a “Gift Card Emergency” Is a Scam in Disguise Attorney General Brian Schwalb recently issued a clear warning to District of Columbia residents: be extremely wary of anyone demanding payment via gift cards. This alert isn’t about a complex cyberattack; it’s about a simple, devastatingly effective trick that continues to drain bank accounts nationwide. While the warning originated in D.C., the advice applies to everyone, everywhere. ...

That Urgent Call for Gift Cards? It’s a Scam. If someone calls, texts, or emails you demanding immediate payment with a gift card, stop. You are almost certainly talking to a scammer. This isn’t a new scheme, but it remains devastatingly effective, prompting consumer protection offices like that of District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb to issue renewed warnings to the public. ...

Staying Safe This Consumer Protection Week: Your Guide to Avoiding Scams Every day, scams become more sophisticated. They arrive as urgent text messages about a missed package, convincing phone calls from a “government agency,” or emotional pleas from a “family member” in trouble. During National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) amplifies its mission to empower people with the knowledge to spot and stop these threats. While the specific events and themes for NCPW 2026 are still being finalized, the core advice remains timeless and critically important. This isn’t just about a single week of awareness; it’s about building habits that protect your finances and personal information year-round. ...

Don’t Be Pressured Into a Gift Card Scam: How to Protect Your Money A recent consumer alert from the District of Columbia Attorney General’s office serves as a critical reminder: gift card scams remain a pervasive and costly threat. Scammers favor gift cards because they are like handing over untraceable cash. Once the PIN number is shared, the money is almost always gone for good. This guide breaks down how these scams work and provides concrete steps you can take to protect yourself. ...