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Don’t Get “Fattened Up”: How to Spot and Stop “Pig Butchering” Scams Have you ever received a friendly, unexpected message from a stranger online? Perhaps they liked your social media profile or matched with you on a dating app. The conversation starts normally, builds over weeks or even months, and they earn your trust. Then, subtly, the topic turns to money—a “can’t-miss” investment opportunity or a sudden crisis requiring your financial help. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know During Consumer Protection Week For one week each year, the spotlight turns squarely to your wallet. National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), spearheaded by the Federal Trade Commission, isn’t just a government campaign—it’s a concentrated effort to arm you with the knowledge to fight back against fraud. With scams constantly evolving, the advice for 2026 centers on a critical principle: slowing down and verifying. The most powerful tool you have isn’t a piece of software; it’s your own skepticism. ...

Your Practical Guide to Outsmarting Scams: Lessons from Consumer Protection Week Every year, scammers find new ways to target our wallets and personal information. It’s a persistent problem that demands consistent vigilance. This is why initiatives like the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) are so valuable. While the official event is a concentrated effort, the advice it highlights forms a year-round defense manual for anyone navigating today’s marketplace. ...

Beyond the Hype: What the FTC’s Latest Scam Alert Means for You Every year, National Consumer Protection Week serves as a crucial reminder to check our digital defenses. This past March, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar that cut through the noise, highlighting not just the volume of scams, but their evolving nature. The central message was clear: scammers are refining their tactics, and our awareness must evolve just as quickly. ...

How to Spot and Avoid “Pig Butchering” Scams A new warning from New York State Attorney General Letitia James highlights a disturbing and increasingly common financial fraud known as “pig butchering.” While the alert is aimed at New Yorkers, this scam targets people everywhere. The name, derived from a grim agricultural metaphor, describes how scammers “fatten up” a victim with trust and romance before “butchering” them for their money. Understanding how this scheme works is the first step in protecting yourself. ...

Your Practical Guide to National Consumer Protection Week 2026 National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is more than a calendar event; it’s an annual, coordinated campaign led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and partners to arm you with the knowledge you need to avoid fraud and manage your money safely. While the official week for 2026 is typically held in early March, the lessons and habits it promotes are vital year-round. This year’s focus continues a critical trend: helping consumers spot, stop, and report scams that are becoming increasingly sophisticated. ...

The Latest Scam Tactics and How to Dodge Them: Key Lessons from the FTC Every year, scammers refine their techniques, finding new ways to exploit trust and urgency. During a recent National Consumer Protection Week webinar, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) shed light on the evolving fraud landscape, emphasizing that awareness is the first line of defense. While the specific examples may change, the underlying principles of these cons remain consistent. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to watch for and how to protect yourself. ...

The “Pig Butchering” Scam: How Fraudsters Fatten Victims for Financial Slaughter You meet someone online. The conversation is engaging, the connection feels real, and over weeks or months, a bond of trust forms. Then, they introduce an “exclusive” investment opportunity. This isn’t just a clumsy phishing email; it’s a sophisticated, patient fraud known as “pig butchering,” and authorities like New York Attorney General Letitia James are issuing urgent warnings about its spread. ...

Don’t Get Hooked: Key Scam Trends the FTC Wants You to Know Scammers are constantly updating their playbooks, making old warnings feel out of date. To help you stay ahead, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently held a public webinar during National Consumer Protection Week, spotlighting the specific fraudulent tactics that are seeing a surge. Understanding these trends isn’t just about awareness—it’s your first line of defense. ...

Don’t Get Fooled: How to Spot and Stop Impersonation Scams Imagine your phone rings. The caller ID shows a familiar government agency’s name, and the person on the line says there’s a serious problem with your Social Security number or a pending arrest warrant. They sound official, even urgent. Your heart races. What do you do? ...