A Timely Warning: How to Protect Yourself from Gift Card Scams In mid-December 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb issued a direct alert to residents, warning of the persistent and costly threat of gift card scams. This official notice underscores a simple, alarming fact: if anyone demands payment via a gift card, it is almost certainly a scam. ...
What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Scams Last week, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a public webinar to shed light on the most pressing fraud threats facing consumers right now. These events are designed to cut through the noise and provide clear, actionable intelligence directly from the agency that tracks millions of consumer complaints each year. ...
What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams During National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to shed light on the most pressing scam trends affecting people right now. The goal wasn’t to scare consumers, but to arm them with knowledge. As fraudsters refine their tactics, understanding their current playbook is your first and best line of defense. ...
How to Spot and Avoid “Pig Butchering” Scams You receive a friendly, seemingly accidental message. It might be a wrong number, a comment on your social media post, or a match on a dating app. The conversation starts casually, grows into daily chats, and builds what feels like genuine trust over weeks or even months. Then, the topic turns to a “can’t-miss” investment opportunity. This is the hallmark of a “pig butchering” scam, a sophisticated and devastating fraud that is on the rise, prompting warnings from authorities like New York Attorney General Letitia James. ...
What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams During a recent National Consumer Protection Week webinar, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) pulled back the curtain on the scam tactics that are currently tricking people out of their money and personal information. While scams are a constant threat, their methods evolve rapidly. The FTC’s latest insights provide a crucial snapshot of what to watch for right now, offering a valuable opportunity to update your defenses. ...
The “Pig Butchering” Scam: How to Avoid Being Led to Slaughter You receive a friendly, seemingly accidental message. Maybe it’s a wrong number text, a connection request on LinkedIn, or a like on a dating app. The person on the other end is charming, attractive, and gradually builds a rapport with you over weeks or even months. They share stories, ask about your day, and become a digital confidant. Then, the conversation subtly shifts to a “can’t-miss” investment opportunity. This is the hallmark of a “Pig Butchering” scam, and as a recent alert from the New York Attorney General underscores, it remains a severe and evolving threat. ...
What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams Scammers are constantly refining their tactics, making it crucial to stay informed. During a recent National Consumer Protection Week webinar, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) highlighted the latest trends in fraud, offering a timely update on what to watch for. Understanding these evolving schemes is your first and best line of defense. ...
The Latest Scams and How You Can Avoid Them Every year, National Consumer Protection Week serves as a crucial reminder to review our digital habits. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar focusing on the newest tactics scammers are using to part people from their money and personal information. While the specific details of every scam evolve, the underlying principles of fraud remain consistent. Understanding these trends is your first line of defense. ...
What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams Staying ahead of scammers is a constant challenge. Their tactics evolve as quickly as our technology does, making ongoing awareness a key part of personal financial security. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar during National Consumer Protection Week to shed light on the most pressing fraud trends circulating right now. The insights aren’t just for experts; they’re essential knowledge for anyone who uses a phone, email, or the internet. ...
Don’t Get Fattened Up: How to Recognize and Avoid “Pig Butchering” Scams You get a friendly, unexpected message. Maybe it’s on a dating app, social media, or even a wrong-number text. The person is charming, engaging, and over weeks or months, a seemingly genuine relationship or friendship blossoms. Then, the conversation turns to a “can’t-miss” investment opportunity. This slow-burn strategy is the hallmark of a “pig butchering” scam, a devastating fraud that has prompted warnings from authorities like the New York State Attorney General. Understanding how it works is your first and best defense. ...