Cybersecurity Tips

The New “Friend” Who Wants You to Get Rich: Understanding Pig Butchering Scams You get a message out of the blue. Maybe it’s on a dating app, social media, or even a wrong-number text that turns into a conversation. The person on the other end is charming, attentive, and seems genuinely interested in your life. Over weeks or even months, a digital friendship—or romance—blossoms. Then, they casually mention an incredible investment opportunity that’s making them a fortune. They want to help you get in on it, too. ...

How to Recognize and Avoid ‘Pig Butchering’ Scams That Target Your Savings A new wave of sophisticated online scams is draining bank accounts under a disturbing name: “Pig Butchering.” Recently, the New York State Attorney General’s office issued a formal consumer alert warning residents about this specific fraud, which has led to devastating financial losses. Unlike a quick phishing attempt, this scam is a long con, meticulously designed to fatten up victims with false trust before slaughtering their savings. Understanding how it works is your first and best defense. ...

How to Spot and Stop a “Pig Butchering” Scam You get a message out of the blue. It might be on a dating app, social media, or even a wrong-number text. The person is friendly, charming, and over weeks or months, they build a genuine-seeming connection. Then, they tell you about a fantastic, can’t-miss investment opportunity. This slow-burn deception has a name: the “Pig Butchering” scam. It’s a brutal metaphor, where the victim is the “pig” fattened with trust before being financially “butchered.” ...

The FTC Just Flagged These Rising Scams: Here’s What to Watch For Every year, National Consumer Protection Week serves as a crucial reminder to review our digital defenses. This year, a key webinar hosted by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) put a spotlight on the specific scam tactics that are proving most effective—and costly—for consumers right now. The discussion moved beyond broad warnings to detail the exact methods scammers are refining. For anyone who banks online, shops on the internet, or simply uses email, understanding these trends is the first step toward avoiding them. ...

What You Can Learn from National Consumer Protection Week 2026 Every year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leads a coordinated campaign to empower people against scams and fraud. This initiative, National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), is scheduled for early March 2026. While the event itself is a concentrated burst of awareness, the core advice it promotes is valuable every day of the year. The FTC’s message is straightforward: with the right knowledge, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim. ...

Beyond the Hype: Practical Scams to Watch and How to Outsmart Them Staying ahead of scammers often feels like a losing battle. Just as we learn to spot one tactic, a new one emerges. That’s why annual events like National Consumer Protection Week are so valuable—they cut through the noise with timely, expert advice. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar to spotlight the latest fraud trends that are currently tricking consumers. The goal wasn’t to spread fear, but to provide a clear-eyed look at the modern scammer’s playbook. ...

National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Your Guide to Fighting Fraud Every year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leads National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) to provide practical advice on how you can outsmart scammers and protect your money and personal information. While the exact details of the 2026 campaign will be outlined by the FTC in March, the core mission remains constant: empowering you with the knowledge to spot fraud and take action. The weeks leading up to NCPW are a perfect time to revisit your defenses. ...

Don’t Get Hooked: Key Scam Trends the FTC Wants You to Know National Consumer Protection Week, held each March, serves as a crucial reminder to review our digital and financial defenses. This year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a timely webinar spotlighting the latest tactics scammers are using to part people from their money and personal information. A follow-up session specifically addressed the unique vulnerabilities of military personnel and their families. The core message is clear: while the threats are evolving, a few practical habits can provide powerful protection. ...

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. ...

Don’t Get Fooled: The Latest Scam Tactics and How to Fight Back Every year, scammers refine their techniques, using new technology and current events to seem more convincing than ever. Staying ahead of these threats is a constant challenge. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a timely webinar during National Consumer Protection Week to shed light on the most pressing scam trends affecting people right now. The session provided crucial insights directly from the agency tasked with policing fraud, offering a clear snapshot of what to watch for. ...