Scam Prevention

Gift Card Scams Are on the Rise: How to Spot Them and What to Do If You’ve Been Targeted If you’ve ever received a call, email, or text demanding payment via a gift card, you’ve encountered one of the most persistent fraud tactics in use today. Gift card scams cost U.S. consumers hundreds of millions of dollars each year, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The schemes keep evolving, but the warning signs remain largely the same. ...

Gift Card Scams Persist: What the D.C. Attorney General’s Recent Warning Means for You Gift cards are convenient presents for birthdays and holidays, but scammers have turned them into a preferred payment method for fraud. In December 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert reminding residents that gift cards are for gifts, not for paying unexpected bills, taxes, or fees. This warning echoes similar advisories from consumer protection agencies across the country, and for good reason—gift card scams remain one of the most common and costly types of fraud reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). ...

Gift Card Scams: How to Spot Them and Protect Your Money If you receive a phone call, email, or text demanding that you pay a fine, a utility bill, or a debt with a gift card, hang up immediately. That is the core message behind a recent consumer alert from D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb, who warned District residents about the rising tide of gift card scams. While the alert specifically targets Washington, D.C., the tactics it describes are used nationwide and year-round, not just during the holidays. ...

National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Recognizing Scams and Taking Action National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 ran from March 1 through March 7, and the Federal Trade Commission used the occasion to release updated guidance on how to spot and avoid common scams. While the official week has passed, the advice remains as relevant as ever—scammers don’t take breaks. Whether you’re an experienced online shopper or helping a family member navigate digital life, understanding the tactics used today can save you money and stress. ...

Gift Card Scams Are Surging: How to Spot Them and Protect Your Money If you receive an unexpected phone call or email demanding payment with a gift card, you are almost certainly being targeted by a scammer. Gift card scams have become one of the most common and costly frauds in the United States, and law enforcement agencies across the country are seeing a sharp increase in reports. The reason is simple: once a gift card code is shared, the money is nearly impossible to recover. ...

National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Key Takeaways to Stay Ahead of Scams National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 ran from March 2 through March 6. If you missed the events or the flurry of online posts, don’t worry—the advice the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) shared remains useful year-round. This article recaps what happened, why it matters even after the week is over, and what concrete steps you can take right now to protect yourself. ...

Top Consumer Protection Tips from the FTC’s National Consumer Protection Week 2026 Every year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) runs National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) to help Americans stay informed about scams, identity theft, and fraud. This year’s campaign, which ran in early March 2026, provided a fresh set of warnings and practical advice that remain relevant even after the official events ended. If you missed it, here’s a summary of the most important points and what you can do to protect yourself. ...

New FTC Data Reveals Top Scams to Watch Out for in 2026 Every year during National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosts a webinar to share emerging fraud trends and practical advice. This year’s session, summarized by ACA International, highlighted several scams that are currently affecting consumers at higher rates. If you want to stay ahead of the people running these schemes, understanding what they are and how they operate is the first step. ...

National Consumer Protection Week 2026: FTC’s Top Tips to Outsmart Scammers National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 wrapped up on March 6, but the advice the Federal Trade Commission shared during the campaign is worth holding onto all year. The FTC uses this annual event to spotlight the scams that are currently causing the most harm and to remind people of the practical steps they can take to protect themselves. Whether you followed along live or are just catching up, here are the key takeaways from this year’s campaign. ...

Gift Card Scams: D.C. Attorney General Issues New Alert – Here’s How to Protect Yourself If you’ve ever received a call, email, or text demanding payment with a gift card—and it felt off—you were right to be suspicious. Gift card scams are one of the most persistent fraud tactics in the United States, and they show no signs of slowing down. In December 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a fresh alert warning residents about this exact threat. ...