Fraud Prevention

How to Spot and Avoid ‘Pig Butchering’ Scams: A Consumer Alert In February 2026, New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a public warning about a growing type of fraud known as “pig butchering.” The name is grim but descriptive: scammers “fatten up” victims with fake relationships and small, believable returns before slaughtering them financially. The warning from the AG’s office isn’t just for New Yorkers—these scams are spreading across the country. Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself. ...

Pig Butchering Scams: A Step-by-Step Guide to Spotting These Devastating Crypto Frauds In February 2026, New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert warning about a sharp rise in “pig butchering” scams. These schemes combine romance fraud with fake cryptocurrency investments to drain victims’ savings—often over weeks or months of careful grooming. According to the alert, losses have reached millions of dollars, and the transactions are almost impossible to reverse. ...

New FTC Data Reveals Top Scams of the Year — How to Stay Safe Each year, National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) serves as a reminder to check our defenses against fraud. During the 2026 observance, the Federal Trade Commission held a webinar that outlined the latest scam trends, based on consumer reports filed with the agency. The patterns are worth knowing even if you think you’re unlikely to fall for them, because scammers constantly adjust their tactics. ...

How to Spot and Avoid ‘Pig Butchering’ Scams: What to Know A recent consumer alert from New York Attorney General Letitia James warns about a growing type of fraud known as “pig butchering.” These scams combine elements of romance fraud and fake investment schemes, and they have cost victims billions in recent years. Here’s what you need to know to recognize the warning signs and protect your money. ...

Account Takeover Attacks Are on the Rise: How to Protect Your Online Accounts If you’ve noticed unusual login attempts on your email, banking, or social media accounts recently, you’re not alone. The New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection issued an alert on August 14, 2025, warning that account takeover incidents are becoming more frequent and more sophisticated. In an account takeover, a criminal gains unauthorized access to one of your online accounts—often through phishing, credential stuffing (using leaked passwords from other sites), or SIM swapping—and then uses it to steal money, open new lines of credit, or impersonate you to target your contacts. ...

Gift Card Scams: New Alert Highlights Warning Signs Everyone Should Know Earlier this month, Attorney General Brian Schwalb of Washington, D.C. issued an alert warning residents about a surge in gift card scams. While the alert was directed at D.C. consumers, the tactics described are used everywhere. Gift card fraud is one of the most common and costly scams in the United States today, and it shows no signs of slowing down. ...

Account Takeover Attacks Are Surging: How to Protect Your Online Accounts Now On August 14, 2025, the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection issued a consumer fraud alert warning of a sharp rise in account takeover incidents. These attacks, where a criminal gains access to one of your online accounts and locks you out, can lead to direct financial loss and long-term identity theft. The alert covers common attack methods and practical ways to prevent them. ...

New Scam Trends to Watch: Key Takeaways from the FTC’s Consumer Protection Webinar Every year during National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) shares an updated look at the scams currently costing Americans the most money. This year’s webinar, hosted in cooperation with ACA International, covered several emerging tactics that consumers should know about. While the trends themselves change, the goal is the same: separate people from their money or personal information. ...

New Parking Violation Scam: How to Spot Fake Tickets and Avoid Being Duped Parking tickets are a common frustration, but a newer scam adds a layer of risk. State officials in North Carolina recently warned drivers about a spike in fake parking violation notices—both physical tickets left on windshields and digital messages sent via text or email. While the alert originated there, the tactics are identical to ones cropping up nationwide. Understanding how these scams work and knowing a few verification steps can save you money and protect your personal information. ...

FTC Webinar Scam Trends: What Consumers Should Know Each year during National Consumer Protection Week (the first full week of March), the Federal Trade Commission releases new data on the fraud landscape. This year’s webinar zeroed in on the scams consumers are most likely to encounter right now—and how to spot them before it’s too late. ...