Crypto Scams

How to spot and avoid social media scams: What’s behind the billions in losses Intro Scammers have found a new home for their operations: your social media feed. According to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans lost $2.4 billion to scams in 2024, and for the first time, social media was the most common way scammers initiated contact. What used to happen over the phone or through email has now moved to platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp. The scale is staggering, and the trend is accelerating. For everyday users—especially those who may not be as familiar with the warning signs—the risk is real and growing. ...

Top Scam Trends the FTC Wants You to Know About Right Now Every year during National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission shares its latest findings on what frauds are costing Americans the most money and which tactics are spreading fastest. This year’s webinar, held in early March 2026, highlighted several scam types that continue to evolve and grow. Here is a practical summary of the trends that matter most to consumers, along with steps you can take to avoid becoming a victim. ...

How to Spot and Avoid ‘Pig Butchering’ Investment Scams If you receive an unsolicited message from a stranger who seems charming, quickly turns the conversation toward investing, and pushes you to put money into a cryptocurrency platform you’ve never heard of, you might be in the crosshairs of a “pig butchering” scam. On February 17, 2026, New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert specifically warning residents about this growing fraud. Here is what you need to know to recognize it, avoid it, and act if you or someone you know has been targeted. ...

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. ...