How to Spot and Stop a Gift Card Scam A family member texts you in a panic: they’ve been in a minor car accident and need money for the deductible right now. They ask you to buy several hundred dollars worth of gift cards and send the codes immediately. You want to help, so you rush to the store. ...
The Latest Scams You Should Watch Out For, According to the FTC If you feel like scams are getting more frequent and sophisticated, you’re not imagining it. That’s precisely why the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) dedicated a key part of this year’s National Consumer Protection Week to a public webinar. Held in early March 2026, the session aimed to arm consumers with knowledge about the most pressing fraud trends circulating right now. ...
The New Scam Playbook: What the FTC Wants You to Watch For Every year, scammers refine their tactics, using new technologies and old tricks of psychology to separate people from their money. To mark National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a public webinar on March 5, 2026, to shed light on the latest fraud trends. The session served as a timely reminder that vigilance is our first line of defense. For anyone who uses a phone, shops online, or has a bank account, understanding these evolving schemes is no longer optional—it’s essential. ...
Watch for Fake Parking Tickets: A New Scam Hits Drivers’ Phones If your phone buzzes with a text demanding immediate payment for a parking ticket you don’t remember getting, pause before you panic—or pay. The North Carolina Department of Justice (NCDOJ) recently issued a consumer alert warning drivers about a new wave of parking violation scams. Fraudsters are sending urgent, official-looking messages to trick people into handing over money and personal information. ...
How to Spot and Stop a “Pig Butchering” Scam You get a message out of the blue. It might be on a dating app, social media, or even a wrong-number text. The person is friendly, charming, and over weeks or months, they build a genuine-seeming connection. Then, they tell you about a fantastic, can’t-miss investment opportunity. This slow-burn deception has a name: the “Pig Butchering” scam. It’s a brutal metaphor, where the victim is the “pig” fattened with trust before being financially “butchered.” ...
What the FTC Wants You to Know About Current Scams If you feel like you’re hearing about new scams more often, you’re not imagining it. Fraudsters constantly refine their tactics, and what worked to protect yourself a year ago might not be enough today. That’s why the information shared by regulators is so critical. During the recent National Consumer Protection Week in March, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar specifically to dissect the latest scam trends circulating right now. While the full details are best heard from the source, understanding the overarching themes they highlighted can give you a significant advantage in spotting and stopping fraud before it causes harm. ...
Don’t Get Butchered: Understanding and Avoiding “Pig Butchering” Scams Imagine building a friendship or even a romance online, one that grows over weeks or months. This person seems to care, sharing stories and offering investment advice that sounds too good to be true. They encourage you to put in a little money, and at first, you see impressive—but fake—gains. Then, when you try to withdraw your now-larger sum, it vanishes, along with the person you trusted. ...
The New Scam Tactics You Need to Recognize Now Scammers don’t take time off. Their methods evolve constantly, becoming more sophisticated and harder to spot. To help consumers stay ahead, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently held a crucial webinar as part of National Consumer Protection Week, shining a light on the most current and troubling fraud trends. This isn’t just theoretical; understanding these patterns is your first line of defense. This article breaks down the key takeaways from that FTC discussion and translates them into practical steps you can use to protect yourself and your family. ...
The New Scam Playbook: What the FTC Just Warned Us About Every year, scammers refine their tactics, and keeping up can feel like a full-time job. That’s why the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) recent webinar, held during National Consumer Protection Week, is so valuable. It cut through the noise to highlight the specific fraud trends that are currently costing consumers the most money and peace of mind. Understanding these patterns isn’t about fostering fear; it’s about building practical awareness—your first and best line of defense. ...
Watch Out for Fake Parking Tickets: A New Scam Targets Drivers If you’ve parked in North Carolina recently, you might want to take a close look at any text messages or emails about parking violations. State officials are warning drivers about a new scam where fraudsters send fake parking tickets, aiming to steal your money and personal information. ...