Cybersecurity

What Are “Pig Butchering” Scams, and How Can You Avoid Them? You receive a friendly, seemingly accidental message on a social platform or dating app. The person on the other end is charming, builds rapport over weeks, and gradually steers the conversation toward a “can’t-miss” investment opportunity. This is not the start of a romantic or financial success story. It is the opening act of a sophisticated financial scam known as “pig butchering.” ...

That Friendly Online Investor Might Be Fattening You Up for a Slaughter You strike up a conversation with someone on a dating app, social media, or even through a seemingly wrong-number text. They’re charming, interested, and over weeks or months, a genuine connection seems to form. Eventually, the topic turns to money—specifically, an incredible investment opportunity they’ve found. They show you screenshots of their own massive profits and encourage you to join in. What begins as a small, successful test deposit can spiral into a devastating financial loss. This isn’t a bad romance or a lucky break gone wrong; it’s a sophisticated fraud known as “pig butchering.” ...

How to Recognize the Newest Scam Tricks, According to the FTC Each year, scam artists refine their tactics, creating new schemes and repackaging old ones with a more convincing veneer. Staying ahead of these threats is a constant challenge for consumers. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a public webinar during National Consumer Protection Week to shed light on the latest fraud trends. The session aimed to arm the public with knowledge, emphasizing that awareness is the first and most powerful line of defense. ...

How to Spot a Pig Butchering Scam Before It’s Too Late It starts with a friendly, unexpected message. Maybe on a dating app, a social media platform, or even via a “wrong number” text. The conversation feels genuine, builds slowly, and a sense of trust develops. But this carefully crafted connection has a singular, devastating goal: to fatten you up financially before the slaughter. This is a “Pig Butchering” scam, and authorities like the New York State Attorney General are urging the public to be on high alert. ...

Don’t Get Towed by a Parking Ticket Scam If you find a parking violation notice on your windshield or receive one in the mail, your first reaction might be annoyance followed by a quick check of your wallet. Scammers are banking on that exact sequence. Authorities, including the North Carolina Department of Justice, are warning drivers about a rise in fraudulent parking tickets designed to steal your money and personal information. Understanding how this scam works is your first line of defense. ...

Staying Ahead of Scams: What We Learned from the FTC’s Latest Update Every few months, it seems the tactics used by scammers evolve. What was a common trick last year might be replaced by something more sophisticated and convincing today. Staying informed isn’t just about caution; it’s a necessary part of protecting your finances and personal information. ...

The Scams Circulating Now: What the FTC Wants You to Know If you feel like you’re hearing about more scams than ever, you’re not wrong. During the recent National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to spotlight the current landscape of digital fraud. Their message was clear: while the core tactics of scammers remain the same—pressure, deception, and urgency—the delivery methods and specific schemes are constantly evolving. Staying a step ahead means understanding what you’re up against right now. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams If you’ve ever felt a jolt of suspicion from a too-good-to-be-true text, a pushy phone call from a “government agent,” or a heartbreaking plea from a “charity,” you’re not alone. Scammers are constantly refining their tactics, and keeping up can feel like a full-time job. That’s precisely why the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) holds events like its recent webinar during National Consumer Protection Week. The goal is to cut through the noise and give people the straight facts on what to watch for right now. ...

What You Need to Know About Consumer Protection in 2026 Every March, a coalition of government agencies and consumer advocacy groups leads National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). Its goal is straightforward: to help people understand their rights and spot scams before they cause harm. As we look ahead to NCPW 2026, the core principles of defense remain timeless, but the tactics used by fraudsters keep evolving. Here’s a practical look at the enduring threats and the essential habits you can build to protect yourself, based on the ongoing work of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). ...

Heads Up, North Carolina Drivers: A New Parking Ticket Scam is Circulating If you receive a message demanding urgent payment for a parking ticket you don’t remember getting, take a pause. According to a consumer alert from the North Carolina Department of Justice (NCDOJ), scammers are actively targeting drivers with a convincing new fraud. They’re sending fake parking violation notices to trick people into paying money and handing over personal information. ...