How to Spot and Avoid 'Pig Butchering' Scams: A Practical Guide

How to Spot and Avoid “Pig Butchering” Scams: A Practical Guide If you’ve received an unexpected text from a wrong number or a friend request from a stranger who quickly turns flirtatious, you might be the target of what authorities now call a “pig butchering” scam. The New York State Attorney General recently issued a consumer alert about this growing fraud, and the tactics are worth understanding because the losses can be severe. ...

April 24, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

The FTC Just Revealed 3 Scam Trends That Are Exploding Right Now

Three Emerging Scam Trends from the FTC’s National Consumer Protection Week Webinar Every March, the Federal Trade Commission uses National Consumer Protection Week to highlight the latest fraud tactics hitting consumers. This year’s webinar, held in early March 2026, focused on three scam trends that are growing quickly: AI-powered impersonation, fake delivery notifications, and QR code phishing. If you’ve received a suspicious call, text, or QR code lately, knowing how these scams work can help you avoid losing money or personal information. ...

April 24, 2026 · 3 min · BriefArc Desk

What Is a 'Pig Butchering' Scam? Warning Signs and How to Protect Yourself

What Is a ‘Pig Butchering’ Scam? Warning Signs and How to Protect Yourself New York Attorney General Letitia James has issued a public warning about a sharp increase in so-called “pig butchering” scams targeting state residents. While the alert applies directly to New York, this type of fraud is spreading across the country and preys on anyone who uses social media, dating apps, or cryptocurrency platforms. ...

April 24, 2026 · 5 min · BriefArc Desk

NCPW 2026: What You Need to Know to Avoid Scams and Protect Your Wallet

NCPW 2026: What You Need to Know to Avoid Scams and Protect Your Wallet Intro Every year in early March, the Federal Trade Commission leads a nationwide campaign called National Consumer Protection Week. NCPW 2026 is no exception. It’s a week-long push to help consumers spot fraud, protect their personal information, and know what to do if they’ve been scammed. The official hub for all resources is ftc.gov/ncpw, where the FTC publishes free materials, tips, and event listings. ...

April 23, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

National Consumer Protection Week 2026: FTC's Top Tips to Outsmart Scammers

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. ...

April 23, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

Top Consumer Protection Tips from National Consumer Protection Week 2026

Here is the blog draft, written as a natural, practical article for general consumers. It avoids hype and SEO formulas, and integrates the required sections organically. Top Consumer Protection Tips from National Consumer Protection Week 2026 ...

April 23, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

How to Spot and Avoid 'Pig Butchering' Scams: A Consumer Alert

How to Spot and Avoid ‘Pig Butchering’ Scams: A Consumer Alert In February 2026, New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a public warning about a growing type of fraud known as “pig butchering.” The name is grim but descriptive: scammers “fatten up” victims with fake relationships and small, believable returns before slaughtering them financially. The warning from the AG’s office isn’t just for New Yorkers—these scams are spreading across the country. Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself. ...

April 23, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

Pig Butchering Scams: A Step-by-Step Guide to Spotting These Devastating Crypto Frauds

Pig Butchering Scams: A Step-by-Step Guide to Spotting These Devastating Crypto Frauds In February 2026, New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert warning about a sharp rise in “pig butchering” scams. These schemes combine romance fraud with fake cryptocurrency investments to drain victims’ savings—often over weeks or months of careful grooming. According to the alert, losses have reached millions of dollars, and the transactions are almost impossible to reverse. ...

April 23, 2026 · 5 min · BriefArc Desk

How Extended Fraud Alerts Can Protect Your Identity and Boost Your Credit

Extended Fraud Alerts: What the Latest Federal Reserve Research Reveals About Identity Theft Recovery If you’ve ever been a victim of identity theft, you know how disorienting it is. That phone call from a lender asking about an application you never made. The unfamiliar accounts on your credit report. And then the scramble to freeze your credit, file a police report, and start repairing the damage. ...

April 23, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

New FTC Data Reveals Top Scams of the Year — How to Stay Safe

New FTC Data Reveals Top Scams of the Year — How to Stay Safe Each year, National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) serves as a reminder to check our defenses against fraud. During the 2026 observance, the Federal Trade Commission held a webinar that outlined the latest scam trends, based on consumer reports filed with the agency. The patterns are worth knowing even if you think you’re unlikely to fall for them, because scammers constantly adjust their tactics. ...

April 23, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk