Cybersecurity

How to Spot and Avoid ‘Pig Butchering’ Scams: A Practical Safety Guide A recent alert from the New York State Attorney General’s office has brought renewed attention to a particularly insidious type of fraud: the “pig butchering” scam. While the warning was issued to New Yorkers, this criminal tactic targets people everywhere. It’s a long con that relies on building trust before slaughtering the victim’s finances, hence the grim name. Understanding how it works is your first and best defense. ...

When a Call, Text, or Email Demands a Gift Card Payment, It’s a Scam In December 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a direct alert to residents: be on high alert for gift card scams. This official warning underscores a persistent and damaging fraud tactic that shows no sign of slowing down. Scammers have perfected the art of using pressure, deception, and the irreversible nature of gift card payments to steal millions from consumers annually. Understanding how these scams work is your first and best line of defense. ...

Your 2026 Guide to Stopping Scams Before They Start Every year, as fraud tactics grow more sophisticated, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) dedicates a week to arming the public with the latest defenses. National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026, running in early March, is that critical annual checkpoint. It’s a nationwide effort involving government agencies and consumer advocates, all focused on a single goal: giving you the knowledge to protect your money and your identity. This year’s message is not about fear, but about practical, proactive steps. ...

A Timely Reminder: Gift Cards Are for Gifts, Not for Scammers If someone you don’t know calls, texts, or emails you demanding payment with a gift card, stop. It’s a scam. Full stop. ...

What You Need to Know About the Latest Wave of Scams Each year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) uses National Consumer Protection Week to shine a spotlight on the most pressing fraud threats facing Americans. In a recent webinar, agency experts distilled the current scam landscape, revealing how old cons have evolved and which new tactics are catching people off guard. While the specific data from the latest session is still being compiled, the trends discussed align with the persistent and adaptive patterns of fraud the FTC continuously warns about. ...

A Guide to “Pig Butchering” Scams: How Fraudsters Use Trust to Steal Money In an era where digital connections are commonplace, a particularly insidious form of fraud has proliferated, earning the grim nickname of “pig butchering.” Recently, the New York State Attorney General’s office issued a consumer alert warning residents about these schemes. While the warning is geographically specific, the scam is a global threat that targets anyone with an online presence. Understanding how it works is your first line of defense. ...

What Are Scammers Pushing Now? Insights from the FTC’s Latest Update Every year, National Consumer Protection Week serves as a crucial reminder to review our defenses against fraud. This year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to spotlight the scam trends that are currently costing consumers the most money and causing the most stress. While the full details are best obtained directly from the FTC’s official materials, the discussion consistently points to a few enduring yet evolving threats that everyone should recognize. ...

Don’t Get Fleeced: How to Spot the “Pig Butchering” Scam In a recent official alert, New York Attorney General Letitia James warned residents about a particularly insidious type of financial fraud known as “pig butchering.” The name is as crude as the scam itself, derived from the process of fattening a pig before slaughter. In this context, you are the pig. Scammers invest significant time in building trust and fattening your hopes of wealth, only to steal your life savings when you’re most vulnerable. Understanding how this scam operates is your first and best defense. ...

Your Guide to Staying Safe: What the FTC Wants You to Know for Consumer Protection Week Each March, a coalition of government agencies and consumer advocacy groups dedicates a week to arming the public with knowledge. National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is that event, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is a central leader in the effort. For NCPW 2026, the FTC is once again providing clear, actionable advice to help you navigate an increasingly complex marketplace and avoid costly scams. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Scams A recent webinar hosted by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) during National Consumer Protection Week served as a timely reminder: scammers are constantly refining their tactics. While the specific data from the event isn’t publicly detailed in full, the FTC consistently highlights patterns that every consumer should recognize. The core message is that awareness of these evolving trends is your first and best line of defense. ...