Consumer Alert

What Is a Pig Butchering Scam? How to Spot and Avoid This Growing Fraud If you get a friendly text from a wrong number, a compliment on a social media post, or a match on a dating app who seems almost too good to be true, that person may actually be a scammer. Not just any scammer, but one running a long‑term con known as “pig butchering.” In February 2026, New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert warning residents about the rising tide of these frauds, which have already cost victims in New York millions of dollars. ...

How to Spot Tech Scams Targeting Seniors (And What to Do About Them) Introduction If you’ve noticed more suspicious phone calls, emails, or pop‑up warnings lately, you’re not imagining it. A recent CBS News report highlighted that fraud cases involving people aged 50 and older are rising sharply, especially scams that use technology to gain trust and access to personal information. Whether you’re a senior yourself or you help a family member with digital tasks, knowing how these scams work—and what to do when they appear—is the best defense. ...

Tech scams targeting adults 50+ are on the rise: how to spot them and stay safe Fraudsters are becoming more aggressive and more tech-savvy, and current data shows that adults aged 50 and older are bearing the brunt. Recent consumer alerts from CBS News and MSN (late April 2026) highlight a sharp uptick in technology‑enabled scams that specifically target older people. This article lays out the most common schemes and gives practical, no‑nonsense steps to protect yourself or someone you care about. ...

How Seniors Can Spot and Avoid Tech-Related Scams: A Consumer Alert Recent reports have highlighted a troubling trend: fraud cases targeting people aged 50 and older are on the rise, and scammers are increasingly using technology to reach their victims. A CBS News story published in late April 2026 underscored the urgency of this issue, noting that older Americans are being hit by a wave of high-tech schemes that can be difficult to recognize. This article explains what’s happening, why it matters, and what you can do to protect yourself or a loved one. ...

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). ...

What Is a “Pig Butchering” Scam? How to Spot and Avoid It If you’ve been getting unexpected messages from someone who seems too charming or too eager to help you invest, you might be in the early stage of a “pig butchering” scam. The name comes from scammers “fattening up” their victims with friendship or romance before stealing large sums of money—often in cryptocurrency. ...

Fraud Alert: Scams Targeting People Over 50 Are Rising Fast—Here’s How to Stay Safe If you’re over 50, a recent string of news alerts may have caught your attention—and for good reason. Fraud cases involving older adults are climbing sharply, and technology is increasingly the tool scammers use to reach their victims. In April 2026, CBS News issued a consumer alert highlighting this trend, while AARP reported staggering losses in Florida alone. Understanding what’s happening and how to protect yourself is more urgent than ever. ...

How to Recognize and Avoid ‘Pig Butchering’ Scams: A Guide Based on the Latest Consumer Alert from New York’s Attorney General In February 2026, New York State Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert warning residents about a rising fraud known as “pig butchering.” While the name sounds odd, the scam itself is devastating. It combines elements of romance scams with fake cryptocurrency investment platforms, often draining victims of tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. If you use social media, dating apps, or messaging apps, it pays to understand how this scheme works and what you can do to avoid it. ...

Gift Card Scams: How to Spot Them and What to Do If someone you don’t know calls, emails, or texts you and demands payment with a gift card, it is a scam. No legitimate company, government agency, or utility will ever ask you to buy a gift card and read them the numbers on the back. ...

Fraud Surge Targets Adults Over 50: How to Spot and Stop Tech Scams If you are over 50, the odds that a scammer will call, email, or text you this year are higher than ever. Reports from CBS News and AARP in April 2026 show a sharp increase in fraud cases targeting older adults, with criminals relying on technology to impersonate trusted organizations and trick people into sending money or sharing personal information. ...