Consumer Alert

Don’t Be a “Fat Pig”: How to Spot and Stop Pig Butchering Scams A practical guide to recognizing—and escaping—this cruel, long-con investment fraud. Introduction You receive a friendly, seemingly accidental message from a stranger on social media, a dating app, or even SMS. The conversation flows naturally, a connection forms over weeks, and trust builds. Then, they mention an incredible investment opportunity. This is the start of a “pig butchering” scam, a brutally effective fraud named for the practice of fattening a pig before slaughter. The scammer “fattens” your trust before financially butchering you. ...

What Are Pig Butchering Scams, and How Can You Avoid Them? You receive a friendly, seemingly accidental message on social media or a dating app. The conversation flows easily, trust builds over weeks or even months, and eventually, your new “friend” shares an incredible investment opportunity. This slow-burn con is known as a “pig butchering” scam, and authorities are sounding the alarm. New York Attorney General Letitia James recently issued a consumer alert specifically warning residents about this sophisticated fraud. Understanding its mechanics is your first line of defense. ...

Watch Out for That Parking Ticket: A New Scam Is Targeting Drivers You return to your car and see it: a parking violation notice tucked under your windshield wiper. Or perhaps a text message or email arrives, demanding immediate payment for a parking fine to avoid additional penalties. Your first instinct might be to pay it quickly and move on. But a new consumer alert warns that scammers are exploiting this very instinct, creating convincing fake violations to steal money and personal information. ...

The “Pig Butchering” Scam: How Fraudsters Fatten Victims Before the Slaughter You receive a friendly, unexpected message. It might be on a dating app, social media, or even via a seemingly wrong-number text. The person on the other end is charming, builds rapport over weeks, and eventually shares a secret: they’ve made incredible profits through an online investment platform. They offer to help you do the same. This is the opening act of a “pig butchering” scam—a ruthless long-con where victims are emotionally “fattened up” with trust before their finances are slaughtered. ...

That ‘Unpaid Parking Ticket’ Text Could Be a Scam If you’ve received a sudden, urgent message demanding payment for a parking violation you don’t remember, pause before you click. Authorities in North Carolina and beyond are warning drivers about a sophisticated new scam that uses the fear of an unexpected fine to steal money and personal information. ...

The “Pig Butchering” Scam: How to Spot It and Stop It Before You Lose Money You receive a friendly, unexpected message. It might be on a dating app, social media, or even SMS. The person on the other end is charming, builds rapport over weeks, and seems genuinely interested in your life. Then, the conversation subtly turns to money—often an incredible, “can’t-miss” investment opportunity. This is the hallmark of a “pig butchering” scam, a devastating blend of romance and investment fraud that is on the rise. Recently, New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a specific warning to residents about this threat. Understanding how it works is your first and best defense. ...

A Warning from New York: How “Pig Butchering” Scams Are Stealing Millions A new official warning puts a spotlight on one of the most devastating financial scams circulating today. New York Attorney General Letitia James recently issued a consumer alert about “Pig Butchering” scams, urging residents to be vigilant. This isn’t a minor fraud; it’s a sophisticated, emotionally manipulative scheme designed to build trust over weeks or months before slaughtering the victim’s savings. Understanding how it works is your first and best defense. ...

Watch Out for That Parking Ticket Text—It Might Be a Scam If you’re a driver in North Carolina, be extra cautious about any message claiming you have an unpaid parking ticket. In late March 2026, the state’s Department of Justice issued a formal alert about a new wave of parking violation scams targeting drivers. These deceptive messages are designed to steal your money and personal information by creating a false sense of urgency. ...

How to Spot and Stop “Pig Butchering” Scams: A Guide to Protecting Your Finances In the ever-evolving world of online scams, a particularly insidious scheme has been making headlines and draining bank accounts. Known as “pig butchering,” this fraud combines long-term relationship building with sophisticated investment lies. Recently, New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a stark warning to residents about the rise of these scams, urging heightened vigilance. Understanding how they work is your first and best defense. ...

Spotting the Impostors: A Guide to Government Impostor Scams It’s a scenario that preys on our respect for authority and our fear of getting in trouble: a phone call or email arrives, seemingly from a government agency, demanding immediate action or payment. According to a recent official alert, this exact playbook is being used by scammers impersonating employees of a state’s Department of Consumer Protection. While the alert originates from a specific region, the tactics are universal. Understanding how these scams work is your first and best defense. ...