Consumer Safety

Don’t Get Wrapped Up in a Gift Card Scam A new warning from the District of Columbia’s Attorney General, Brian Schwalb, serves as a sharp reminder: gift card scams aren’t a seasonal fluke or a problem that only happens to others. They are a persistent and effective form of fraud that continues to trap thousands of people each year. These scams succeed because they exploit trust, urgency, and the seemingly innocuous nature of a gift card. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams The landscape of fraud is never static. Scammers constantly refine their tactics, exploiting new technologies and current events to catch people off guard. Staying informed about these evolving threats is one of the most effective forms of self-defense. Recently, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar to highlight the latest scam trends actively targeting consumers. Understanding these patterns is the first step in protecting yourself and your family. ...

The Current Scam Landscape: Insights from a Recent FTC Webinar Scammers are constantly refining their tactics, and keeping up can feel like a full-time job. A recent webinar hosted by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) during National Consumer Protection Week provided a timely update on the schemes that are tricking people right now. While the specifics evolve, the core principles of defense remain steady: skepticism, verification, and knowing where to turn for help. ...

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. ...

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 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. ...