Key Scam Trends from FTC’s National Consumer Protection Week Webinar

Key Scam Trends from FTC’s National Consumer Protection Week Webinar Every year, National Consumer Protection Week gives the FTC a platform to share the latest data on how scammers are operating. The agency’s most recent webinar, held during that week, outlined which fraud tactics are growing and how consumers can defend themselves. If you missed it, here’s a summary of what was covered—and what you can do about it. ...

April 24, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

Top Scam Trends from the FTC: What You Need to Know Now

Top Scam Trends from the FTC: What You Need to Know Now Each year during National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission holds a webinar to share the latest patterns in fraud. The March 2026 edition was no exception, and the trends it highlighted are worth paying attention to. If you’ve been wondering what kinds of scams are most common right now and how to avoid them, here’s a clear breakdown. ...

April 24, 2026 · 3 min · BriefArc Desk

New FTC Data Reveals Top Scams Consumers Face Right Now

New FTC Data Reveals Top Scams Consumers Face Right Now Each year during National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission releases a fresh look at the fraud landscape. In a webinar held in early March 2026, FTC officials walked through the latest data on what scams are hitting Americans hardest—and what consumers can do about it. The information is timely: scam tactics evolve quickly, and awareness remains one of the best defenses. ...

April 24, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

Pig Butchering Scams: How to Spot and Avoid This Growing Investment Fraud

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. ...

April 24, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

Investment Scams on Social Media: What to Know After a State Attorney General's Warning

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. ...

April 24, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

How to Spot and Avoid ‘Pig Butchering’ Scams: What to Know

How to Spot and Avoid ‘Pig Butchering’ Scams: What to Know A recent consumer alert from New York Attorney General Letitia James warns about a growing type of fraud known as “pig butchering.” These scams combine elements of romance fraud and fake investment schemes, and they have cost victims billions in recent years. Here’s what you need to know to recognize the warning signs and protect your money. ...

April 23, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

What Are ‘Pig Butchering’ Scams? How to Spot and Avoid This Investment Fraud

What Are ‘Pig Butchering’ Scams? How to Spot and Avoid This Investment Fraud New York Attorney General Letitia James recently issued a consumer alert warning New Yorkers about a sophisticated type of fraud known as “pig butchering.” The term may sound strange, but the damage is very real: victims have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars—sometimes their entire savings—to these scams. If you use dating apps, social media, or even LinkedIn, it’s worth understanding how this scheme works and how to protect yourself. ...

April 23, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

Attorney General Warns of Investment Scams on Meta Platforms: What to Watch For

Attorney General Warns of Investment Scams on Meta Platforms: What to Watch For If you use Facebook or Instagram, chances are you’ve seen ads or messages promoting “can’t-miss” investment opportunities. Cryptocurrency schemes, celebrity-endorsed trading platforms, and early-stage stock tips are common. What’s less obvious is that many of these offers are scams designed to steal your money. ...

April 23, 2026 · 3 min · BriefArc Desk

How to Avoid Pig Butchering Scams: Essential Tips for Savvy Investors

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. ...

April 22, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

Protect Your Money: How to Avoid Pig Butchering Scams Online

Attorney General Issues Warning: How “Pig Butchering” Scams Are Targeting New Yorkers In February 2026, New York State Attorney General Letitia James issued a formal consumer alert about a particularly insidious type of fraud: “pig butchering” scams. While the name may sound unusual, the financial damage is brutally real. This warning highlights a growing threat that leverages fake online relationships to fatten up victims—the “pigs”—before financially butchering them. Understanding this scam is the first critical step in preventing it. ...

April 21, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk