Fraud Prevention

New Scam Trends Revealed in FTC Webinar: What You Need to Know Every year, the Federal Trade Commission uses National Consumer Protection Week to highlight the latest fraud tactics targeting Americans. This year, a March 2026 webinar brought together consumer advocates and law enforcement to discuss current scam trends. If you missed it, the key takeaways are worth knowing — not because the scams are new, but because they keep evolving. ...

Account Takeover on the Rise? Here’s How to Protect Your Online Accounts In August 2025, the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection issued an alert about a significant increase in account takeover incidents. If you use online banking, email, social media, or any service that stores personal information, this matters to you. Account takeover is a form of identity theft where criminals gain access to your existing accounts — often by stealing your credentials — and then use them to commit fraud, make unauthorized purchases, or steal additional data. ...

How to Spot Tech Scams Targeting People Over 50 Fraud directed at older adults is increasing sharply, and technology is the primary vehicle. Recent reports from CBS News and AARP show that impersonation scams alone surged 148 percent in the past year, and in Florida, people over 50 lost more than $258 million in 2025. These numbers represent real people who received a phone call, an email, or a pop‑up that sounded urgent and legitimate — and then lost savings in minutes. ...

New Scam Trends from the FTC: What You Need to Know Every year, National Consumer Protection Week serves as a reminder that fraud evolves quickly. During the 2026 event, the Federal Trade Commission held a webinar outlining the latest patterns in consumer scams. The agency also dedicated a separate session to financial schemes that disproportionately affect military personnel and their families. Here’s a practical summary of what was shared and how you can lower your risk. ...

Pig Butchering Scams: How to Protect Yourself from This Growing Fraud Introduction In February 2026, New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert about a particularly cruel form of investment fraud known as “pig butchering.” While the warning was aimed at New Yorkers, the scam is spreading nationwide and has already cost victims hundreds of thousands of dollars each. Understanding how this scam works—and learning to spot the warning signs—is critical for anyone using dating apps, social media, or cryptocurrency platforms. ...

Fraud Surge Targeting Older Adults: How to Spot Tech Scams Before You Lose Money Fraud cases involving phone calls, texts, and emails are rising sharply among people aged 50 and older. Recent reports from CBS News and AARP show that losses in Florida alone topped $258 million in 2025, and impersonation scams — where someone pretends to be a government agency, a tech company, or a family member — increased 148% compared to the previous year. If you or someone you care for is in this age group, it’s worth understanding what’s driving this wave and how you can reduce the risk. ...

Investment Scams on Social Media: What to Know After a State Attorney General’s Warning In early April 2026, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown issued a consumer alert about a surge in investment scams operating on Meta platforms—specifically Facebook and Instagram. The warning, published by the Attorney General’s office, highlights how fraudsters are using fake profiles, sponsored ads, and private messages to pitch bogus investment opportunities to unsuspecting users. ...

Gift Card Scams Are Still Thriving: What the Latest D.C. Alert Means for You Gift cards are a convenient way to give presents, but scammers have turned them into a preferred payment method for fraud. In December 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a consumer alert warning residents about a surge in gift card scams. While the alert targets D.C. residents, the advice applies to anyone who receives an unexpected demand for payment via gift card. ...

What Is a “Pig Butchering” Scam? How to Spot and Avoid This Devastating Fraud If you receive an unsolicited message on a dating app, social media, or even a text from a “wrong number,” be cautious. That friendly stranger could be a scammer running a “pig butchering” scheme—a hybrid of romance fraud and fake investment opportunities that has cost victims billions. Recent alerts from authorities, including New York Attorney General Letitia James, underscore how widespread and destructive this scam has become. ...

National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Key Tips to Avoid Scams Each year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and its partners dedicate the first week of March to National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). For 2026, NCPW ran from March 1 through March 7, serving as a focused reminder that scams and identity theft don’t take a holiday—and neither should your awareness. While the official week has passed, the advice issued by the FTC remains just as relevant today as it was during the campaign. ...