Investment Scams

Social Media Scams Cost Americans Billions: Here’s How to Protect Yourself Fraud has increasingly moved from email inboxes to social feeds. According to the Federal Trade Commission, older Americans alone lost $2.4 billion to scams in 2024, much of it originating on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. These platforms have become the top vector for fraud because scammers can create fake profiles and ads quickly, often bypassing automated checks. While platforms have added reporting tools, users still need to take their own precautions. Below is a breakdown of the most common schemes and practical steps you can take to avoid losing money or personal data. ...

Pig Butchering Scams: What the New York Attorney General’s Warning Means for You If you’ve ever received an unprompted message from a stranger who seems too charming, too interested in your life, and too eager to discuss investment opportunities, you might be in the early stages of a “pig butchering” scam. The name is deliberately dehumanizing—the fraudster “fattening up” a victim with trust and affection before extracting as much money as possible. ...

Investment Scams on Facebook and Instagram: What the Maryland Attorney General’s Warning Means for You If you use Facebook or Instagram, you have likely seen posts or messages promoting investment opportunities. Some promise quick returns, “guaranteed” profits, or secret strategies. In early April 2026, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown issued a consumer alert about a surge in investment scams on Meta platforms. The warning is not just for Maryland residents—scammers do not respect state lines, and the patterns they use are consistent across the country. ...

Investment Scams on Facebook and Instagram: How to Spot Them and Stay Safe If you’re active on Facebook or Instagram, you’ve probably seen posts or messages promoting a “guaranteed” investment opportunity. Maybe it’s a crypto trading platform that promises triple your money in a week. Or a direct message from someone claiming to be a trusted financial advisor with a limited-time offer. ...

Investing on Facebook or Instagram? New Warning About Scams to Watch For Intro If you’ve ever been messaged out of the blue on Facebook or Instagram with a “can’t miss” investment opportunity, you are not alone. Scammers are increasingly using Meta’s platforms to pitch fake stock tips, cryptocurrency schemes, and “guaranteed” returns. Recently, the Maryland Attorney General’s office issued a consumer alert about this exact trend. Here’s what you need to know to keep your money safe. ...

Top scams to avoid right now: FTC’s 2026 consumer protection guide National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 ran from March 2 to March 6, and the Federal Trade Commission used the occasion to update its advice on the most common scams affecting Americans. The timing is no accident: scams tend to spike during tax season and around major holidays, so having a clear, up-to-date picture of what fraud looks like can help you avoid losing money or personal information. ...

How to Spot and Avoid ‘Pig Butchering’ Investment Scams If you receive an unsolicited message from a stranger who seems charming, quickly turns the conversation toward investing, and pushes you to put money into a cryptocurrency platform you’ve never heard of, you might be in the crosshairs of a “pig butchering” scam. On February 17, 2026, New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert specifically warning residents about this growing fraud. Here is what you need to know to recognize it, avoid it, and act if you or someone you know has been targeted. ...

What Is a Pig Butchering Scam? How to Spot and Avoid This Growing Fraud If you get a friendly text from a wrong number, a compliment on a social media post, or a match on a dating app who seems almost too good to be true, that person may actually be a scammer. Not just any scammer, but one running a long‑term con known as “pig butchering.” In February 2026, New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert warning residents about the rising tide of these frauds, which have already cost victims in New York millions of dollars. ...

Top Scams Targeting Americans in 2026, According to the FTC During National Consumer Protection Week in March 2026, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar that laid out the most prevalent scams hitting consumers. The data comes from the agency’s Consumer Sentinel Network, which collects millions of fraud reports each year. While the webinar was held several months ago, the trends it highlighted remain active. Whether you’re tech-savvy or just trying to protect your savings, this summary of the top schemes and the steps you can take should help. ...

Tech scams targeting adults 50+ are on the rise: how to spot them and stay safe Fraudsters are becoming more aggressive and more tech-savvy, and current data shows that adults aged 50 and older are bearing the brunt. Recent consumer alerts from CBS News and MSN (late April 2026) highlight a sharp uptick in technology‑enabled scams that specifically target older people. This article lays out the most common schemes and gives practical, no‑nonsense steps to protect yourself or someone you care about. ...