Fraud Prevention

The “Pig Butchering” Scam: How to Spot It and Protect Your Money You receive a friendly, seemingly accidental message. A wrong number, perhaps, or a new connection on social media. The conversation starts casually, but over weeks or months, it evolves. Your new contact is personable, shares stories of their success, and eventually reveals an “exclusive” investment opportunity with incredible returns. This is the opening act of a devastating financial fraud known as “pig butchering,” and authorities like New York Attorney General Letitia James are urging the public to be on high alert. ...

The Latest Scams and How You Can Avoid Them Every year, National Consumer Protection Week serves as a crucial reminder to review our digital habits. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar focusing on the newest tactics scammers are using to part people from their money and personal information. While the specific details of every scam evolve, the underlying principles of fraud remain consistent. Understanding these trends is your first line of defense. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams Staying ahead of scammers is a constant challenge. Their tactics evolve as quickly as our technology does, making ongoing awareness a key part of personal financial security. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar during National Consumer Protection Week to shed light on the most pressing fraud trends circulating right now. The insights aren’t just for experts; they’re essential knowledge for anyone who uses a phone, email, or the internet. ...

Don’t Get Fattened Up: How to Recognize and Avoid “Pig Butchering” Scams You get a friendly, unexpected message. Maybe it’s on a dating app, social media, or even a wrong-number text. The person is charming, engaging, and over weeks or months, a seemingly genuine relationship or friendship blossoms. Then, the conversation turns to a “can’t-miss” investment opportunity. This slow-burn strategy is the hallmark of a “pig butchering” scam, a devastating fraud that has prompted warnings from authorities like the New York State Attorney General. Understanding how it works is your first and best defense. ...

That Parking Ticket Might Be a Scam: What North Carolina Drivers Need to Know You find a notice on your windshield, or an urgent text message arrives, demanding payment for a parking violation. Your first instinct might be to pay it quickly to avoid more trouble. But before you do, take a moment. Law enforcement officials are warning that a new wave of parking ticket scams is targeting drivers, using official-looking documents and high-pressure tactics to steal your money and information. ...

The FTC Just Flagged These Scam Trends—Here’s What You Need to Know During National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar to shed light on the latest tactics scammers are using to part people from their money and personal information. As fraud techniques evolve, staying informed isn’t just helpful—it’s a critical layer of your personal defense. The insights from this session provide a timely snapshot of what to watch for right now. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Scams Last month, during National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a public webinar to shed light on the most current and pervasive scams targeting consumers. These events are more than just routine updates; they are a direct line to the tactics fraudsters are using right now, based on the millions of reports the FTC receives. With scammers constantly refining their methods, understanding these trends is your first and best line of defense. ...

A Warning from New York: How “Pig Butchering” Scams Are Targeting Wallets You receive a friendly, seemingly accidental message. It might be on a dating app, social media, or even a wrong-number text. The person on the other end is charming, builds a connection over weeks or months, and eventually starts talking about a fantastic investment opportunity they’ve found. This slow, deliberate process is the hallmark of a “pig butchering” scam, and it’s become a significant enough threat that New York Attorney General Letitia James has issued a formal consumer alert to warn the public. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams Every year, National Consumer Protection Week serves as a crucial reminder to review our defenses against fraud. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar to spotlight the latest scam trends that are currently tricking people out of money and personal information. While the full details are best obtained directly from the FTC, their consistent message points to an evolution of classic cons, now supercharged by technology and current events. Staying a step ahead means understanding how these schemes work today. ...

The New “Friend” Who Wants You to Get Rich: Understanding Pig Butchering Scams You get a message out of the blue. Maybe it’s on a dating app, social media, or even a wrong-number text that turns into a conversation. The person on the other end is charming, attentive, and seems genuinely interested in your life. Over weeks or even months, a digital friendship—or romance—blossoms. Then, they casually mention an incredible investment opportunity that’s making them a fortune. They want to help you get in on it, too. ...