Consumer Safety

Don’t Fall for These 2026 Scam Trends: Practical Advice from an FTC Alert Intro Every day, we’re bombarded with emails, texts, and calls. Most are harmless, but a growing number are sophisticated traps designed to steal your money and personal information. During National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar to spotlight the latest scam trends that are fooling even the most cautious consumers. While the full details of that session aren’t publicly available, the alert serves as a critical reminder that scammers are constantly refining their tactics. Understanding their current playbook is your first and best line of defense. ...

That Seemingly Perfect Online Connection Could Cost You Your Life Savings Last month, the New York State Attorney General’s office issued a public alert about a sophisticated and devastating scam on the rise. Known as “pig butchering,” this fraud doesn’t just steal money—it methodically fattens victims with trust and affection before the financial slaughter. Unlike a crude phishing email, it’s a long-term con that exploits our desire for connection, making it one of the most pernicious and financially damaging scams today. ...

The “Pig Butchering” Scam: How to Recognize It and Protect Your Finances You get a friendly, unexpected message. Maybe it’s on social media, a dating app, or even a wrong-number text. The conversation starts casually, builds trust over weeks or months, and eventually turns to talk of a “can’t-miss” investment opportunity. This slow, deliberate process is the hallmark of a “pig butchering” scam, and it’s costing victims devastating sums. Recently, New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a stark consumer alert warning residents about this specific threat. Understanding how it works is your first and best defense. ...

The “Friendly Stranger” Scam: How “Pig Butchering” Cons People Out of Their Savings If you get a message from a stranger—maybe on WhatsApp, social media, or a dating app—strike up a friendly conversation, and eventually, they start talking about a “foolproof” investment opportunity, you might be dealing with more than just a new acquaintance. You could be the target of a sophisticated, long-term fraud known as a “pig butchering” scam. ...

The Latest Scams and How to Spot Them: Advice from the FTC We check our phones dozens of times a day, making quick decisions about texts, emails, and calls. It’s in these routine moments that modern scammers set their traps. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar during National Consumer Protection Week to outline the latest tricks fraudsters are using and how consumers can fight back. ...

Don’t Get Caught Off Guard: What the FTC Says About Today’s Scams Keeping up with scammers can feel like a full-time job. Just when you think you’ve learned to spot their tricks, they invent new ones. That’s why the recent insights from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), shared during National Consumer Protection Week, are so valuable. They cut through the noise and highlight exactly what fraudsters are doing right now—and more importantly, how you can stop them. ...

That “Urgent” Call from Your Utility Company? It’s Almost Certainly a Scam. If your phone rings with someone claiming to be from the water, power, or gas company demanding immediate payment, your first instinct might be panic. After all, having your service shut off is a serious threat. But before you reach for your wallet or credit card, take a deep breath. That sense of urgency is the scammer’s primary weapon. ...

That Utility Bill Call Is Probably a Scam: Here’s What to Do You’re at home when the phone rings. The caller ID might even show the name of your local electric or gas company. The person on the line says your payment is overdue, service will be shut off within the hour, and you must pay immediately. They sound official, even urgent. Before you react, you should know this is almost certainly a scam. This exact scenario is happening right now, prompting official warnings to protect consumers. ...

Don’t Let a Fake Call Turn Your Lights Out: How to Spot a Utility Scam Imagine this: your phone rings. The caller ID might even show a local number or the name of your electric or gas company. A stern voice informs you that your payment is overdue, your service will be disconnected within the hour, and you must pay immediately—usually with a prepaid debit card, gift card, or a peer-to-peer payment app. ...

The Utility Payment Scam: Don’t Let a Fake “Final Notice” Shake You It’s a familiar scenario for many: the phone rings, and someone claims to be from your local power, water, or gas company. They say your payment is overdue, that service will be disconnected within the hour, and that you must pay immediately to keep the lights on. The pressure is intense, and the demand is urgent. ...