Fraud Prevention

The Latest Scam Playbook and How to Shield Yourself Each year, scams grow more sophisticated, targeting our wallets and personal information through increasingly believable lies. During the recent National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to cut through the noise and highlight the most prevalent and damaging scam trends affecting consumers right now. The insights from this session are a crucial update for anyone looking to protect themselves and their families from financial fraud. ...

Don’t Get Towed by a Fake Ticket: How to Spot a Parking Violation Scam If you’ve recently received an urgent text, email, or letter demanding payment for a parking ticket you don’t remember getting, you’re not alone. The North Carolina Department of Justice (NCDOJ) issued a consumer alert in March 2026 warning drivers about a new wave of sophisticated parking violation scams. These cons are designed to create panic and trick you into paying money or surrendering personal information to criminals. ...

That Friendly Online Investor Might Be Fattening You Up for a Slaughter You strike up a conversation with someone on a dating app, social media, or even through a seemingly wrong-number text. They’re charming, interested, and over weeks or months, a genuine connection seems to form. Eventually, the topic turns to money—specifically, an incredible investment opportunity they’ve found. They show you screenshots of their own massive profits and encourage you to join in. What begins as a small, successful test deposit can spiral into a devastating financial loss. This isn’t a bad romance or a lucky break gone wrong; it’s a sophisticated fraud known as “pig butchering.” ...

FTC Warns of Rising Scam Tactics: How to Stay Protected The landscape of fraud is constantly shifting, with scammers refining their tactics to exploit new technologies and current events. To mark National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently hosted a webinar highlighting the latest trends in consumer scams. The session served as a critical reminder that vigilance is a year-round necessity, not just during awareness campaigns. While specific data from the webinar is still being disseminated, the overarching themes provide a clear picture of where threats are growing and how you can defend yourself. ...

A New Parking Ticket Scam is Targeting Drivers: Here’s How to Protect Yourself A new, deceptive scam is circulating that preys on a common driver’s worry: the unexpected parking ticket. According to a recent consumer alert from the North Carolina Department of Justice (NCDOJ), fraudsters are sending out fake parking violation notices in an attempt to steal money and personal information. This scam isn’t confined to physical tickets on windshields; it’s primarily digital, leveraging texts and emails to create a false sense of urgency. ...

FTC’s Latest Scam Alert: What You Need to Know Now The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently held a public webinar as part of National Consumer Protection Week, focusing on the most pressing fraud trends circulating right now. While the full details are outlined by the agency, the core message is clear: scammers are refining their methods, and public awareness is the first line of defense. Here’s a breakdown of what was highlighted and the practical steps you can take to protect yourself. ...

How to Spot This Year’s Top Scams: Straight Talk from the FTC It’s easy to feel like scams are a distant threat—something that happens to other people. But fraudsters are constantly refining their tactics, and what worked to protect yourself last year might not be enough today. That’s why the insights from regulators are so valuable. Recently, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to break down the latest scam trends. Their goal wasn’t to scare people, but to arm them with specific, current knowledge. ...

Watch Out for Fake Parking Tickets: How to Spot the Latest Scam If you’ve ever rushed back to your car, worried about a parking meter running out, you know that sinking feeling. Scammers are banking on that anxiety, and a recent alert from the North Carolina Department of Justice warns they’re now using it to steal your money and personal information. ...

How to Recognize the Newest Scam Tricks, According to the FTC Each year, scam artists refine their tactics, creating new schemes and repackaging old ones with a more convincing veneer. Staying ahead of these threats is a constant challenge for consumers. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a public webinar during National Consumer Protection Week to shed light on the latest fraud trends. The session aimed to arm the public with knowledge, emphasizing that awareness is the first and most powerful line of defense. ...

How to Spot a Pig Butchering Scam Before It’s Too Late It starts with a friendly, unexpected message. Maybe on a dating app, a social media platform, or even via a “wrong number” text. The conversation feels genuine, builds slowly, and a sense of trust develops. But this carefully crafted connection has a singular, devastating goal: to fatten you up financially before the slaughter. This is a “Pig Butchering” scam, and authorities like the New York State Attorney General are urging the public to be on high alert. ...