Fraud Prevention

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. ...

New FTC Report Reveals Top Scams to Watch Out for This Year Every March, the Federal Trade Commission hosts a series of events for National Consumer Protection Week, and this year’s webinar offered a sobering look at the current state of fraud in the United States. The agency presented updated data on the most common scams, the tactics criminals are using, and who they are targeting. For anyone trying to stay one step ahead of fraudsters, the key takeaways are worth paying attention to. ...

How to Spot and Avoid ‘Pig Butchering’ Crypto Romance Scams What Is a Pig Butchering Scam? The term “pig butchering” comes from the way scammers carefully “fatten up” a victim before taking their money. It blends social engineering — often starting on dating apps or social media — with fake cryptocurrency investments. The goal is to build trust over weeks or months, then convince you to send large sums to bogus trading platforms that show impressive but completely fabricated returns. ...

Lloyds Bank Warns Customers of New Scam Wave: What to Do Now Lloyds Bank has issued an updated customer alert warning of a rise in fraud attempts targeting its account holders. The alert, published on 24 April 2026, outlines specific tactics fraudsters are using to impersonate the bank and trick customers into handing over sensitive information. ...

UK Bank Scam Warning: How to Spot and Stop Fraudulent Account Alerts If you received a text or email this week claiming to be from Lloyds Bank about suspicious activity on your account, you are not alone. The bank recently issued a customer alert about an ongoing wave of scams designed to trick people into handing over login details, one-time passcodes, or approving fraudulent payments. Similar warnings have been issued by other UK banks and cybersecurity experts, and the timing is especially critical because some payment methods now carry reduced protection. ...

NCPW 2026: Key Consumer Alerts and What to Do National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) returned in early March 2026, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) once again used the occasion to highlight the scams and frauds that pose the greatest risk to everyday consumers. The week is designed to give people a concentrated dose of practical advice—not just during the event, but all year long. If you missed the alerts, here is a summary of what was emphasized and how you can apply that advice right now. ...

What the FTC’s Latest Webinar Tells Us About Scam Trends in 2026 Every year during National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission holds webinars to brief the public on the latest fraud data. The 2026 edition, held in early March, focused on three emerging scam categories that consumers need to know about: AI-powered fraud, payment app scams, and schemes specifically targeting military families. ...

National Consumer Protection Week 2026: How to Spot Scams and Protect Yourself National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 runs from March 2 to March 6, and it’s a good time to pause and review how you handle your personal information. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) uses this week to highlight the most common fraud tactics and provide free resources to help people avoid becoming victims. Whether you’ve been targeted before or just want to stay ahead, the FTC’s advice is straightforward and practical. ...

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. ...

National Consumer Protection Week 2026: What the FTC Wants You to Know National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 took place from March 2 to 6, and the Federal Trade Commission used the annual event to push out its latest fraud prevention guidance. While the week has passed, the advice doesn’t expire. Here’s a practical recap of the most important tips and resources that any consumer can use year-round. ...