Fraud Prevention

Don’t Get Parked by a Scam: How to Spot Fake Violation Notices If you’ve ever returned to your car to find a parking ticket tucked under the wiper, your heart probably sinks. Now, scammers are exploiting that exact feeling of dread. According to a recent consumer alert from the North Carolina Department of Justice (NCDOJ), drivers are being targeted by a new wave of parking violation scams designed to steal money and personal information. ...

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. ...

Don’t Fall for the Fake Ticket: A New Parking Scam Hits North Carolina If you drive in North Carolina, be on high alert. The state’s Department of Justice recently issued a warning about a convincing new scam designed to trick drivers into paying for parking violations they never committed. This fraud is a timely reminder that scammers are constantly refining their tactics, and a moment of confusion can lead to real financial loss. ...

What the FTC’s Latest Scam Alert Means for You Staying ahead of scammers is a constant challenge. Just when you think you’ve heard of every trick, they invent a new one. That’s why the recent Federal Trade Commission (FTC) webinar, held during National Consumer Protection Week, is so valuable. It cut through the noise to highlight the specific fraud tactics that are currently trapping people. By understanding these trends, you can build a stronger defense for your wallet and personal information. ...

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. ...

That Parking Ticket on Your Windshield Might Be a Scam If you’ve returned to your car to find a parking violation notice tucked under the wiper, your first instinct might be frustration—and then to pay it quickly to avoid more trouble. But authorities are warning that scammers are now exploiting this very reaction with a new fraud scheme. ...

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. ...

The Long Con: How “Pig Butchering” Scams Work and How to Protect Yourself You meet someone new online. The conversation starts casually, perhaps on a social media platform or a dating app. Over weeks or even months, a genuine-seeming friendship or romance blossoms. They share details about their life, ask about yours, and the connection feels real. Then, eventually, the topic turns to money—a can’t-miss investment opportunity, a sudden personal crisis, or a complex financial favor. If you engage, you may become the latest victim of a “pig butchering” scam, a devastating fraud that is seeing a sharp rise, prompting warnings from officials like the New York Attorney General. ...

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. ...