Online Safety

Don’t Get Fattened Up: A Practical Guide to “Pig Butchering” Scams A stark warning from New York Attorney General Letitia James has put a spotlight on a disturbing and financially devastating trend: “pig butchering” scams. These are not quick cons but elaborate, long-term schemes designed to slowly gain a victim’s trust before stealing their life savings. The name itself is a grim metaphor—scammers “fatten up” their targets with affection and false promises before “butchering” them financially. ...

What Scammers Are Pushing Now: Key Takeaways from the FTC’s Latest Warning Every March, National Consumer Protection Week serves as a crucial reminder to review our digital defenses. This year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a timely webinar, distilling the most persistent and emerging scam threats that are currently costing people money and peace of mind. For anyone who uses a phone, email, or the internet—essentially, all of us—understanding these trends isn’t just helpful; it’s necessary for financial safety. ...

The “Pig Butchering” Scam: How to Recognize and Avoid This Costly Fraud Imagine receiving a friendly, seemingly accidental message from a stranger. They’re charming, engaging, and over weeks or months, a trusting relationship blossoms. Then, they present an exclusive investment opportunity with guaranteed high returns. If this sounds familiar, you might be the target of a “pig butchering” scam. Recently, New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a stark consumer alert warning residents about this sophisticated and devastating fraud. Understanding how it works is your first and best defense. ...

The Long Con: Understanding and Avoiding “Pig Butchering” Scams You meet someone online. The conversation starts casually—perhaps on a social media platform, a dating app, or even via a seemingly wrong-number text. They’re friendly, engaging, and over weeks or months, a bond of trust develops. Then, they mention a lucrative investment opportunity. You make a small initial deposit and watch your returns soar on a slick-looking website. Encouraged, you invest more. And then, when you try to withdraw your now-substantial “profits,” the platform stalls, the contact vanishes, and your money is gone. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams If you feel like you’re hearing about more scams lately, you’re not wrong. Fraud is evolving, and scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their attempts to steal money and personal information. To mark National Consumer Protection Week this past March, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar focusing on the latest tactics used by criminals. Their message was clear: awareness is your first and most powerful line of defense. ...

The Long Con: How “Pig Butchering” Scams Fatten Victims for Slaughter You receive a friendly, seemingly accidental message on social media, a dating app, or even WhatsApp. The conversation starts casually, grows into regular chats, and over weeks or months, a relationship or friendship develops. Then, the topic of a lucrative, “can’t-miss” investment opportunity arises. If this scenario sounds familiar, you may be the target of a devastating fraud known as “pig butchering.” ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Scams The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently held a public webinar as part of National Consumer Protection Week, shining a light on the fraud tactics that are currently plaguing Americans. These events are designed to arm the public with knowledge, and the latest session underscored that while the core goals of scammers remain the same—to steal money and personal information—their methods are constantly adapting. For anyone who shops online, manages finances, or simply uses email or a phone, understanding these trends is the first step toward building a solid defense. ...

Don’t Get Locked Out or Scammed: How to Safeguard Your Next Ticket Purchase Scoring tickets to a much-anticipated concert, playoff game, or theater show is a thrill. Unfortunately, that excitement makes fans a prime target for fraudsters. Beyond the scramble for seats lies a parallel scramble by scammers looking to steal your money, your personal data, or both. Whether you’re buying directly from a primary vendor or on the resale market, a few key security practices can significantly lower your risk of disappointment and financial loss. ...

Your Tickets Are Safe Until They Aren’t: A Guide to Outsmarting Scammers For anyone who has ever refreshed a browser tab at 10 a.m. sharp, the thrill of securing event tickets is unmatched. That excitement, however, has a dark shadow: a growing wave of sophisticated scams determined to turn your anticipation into disappointment and financial loss. From fake listings for sold-out concerts to phishing attacks designed to hijack your accounts, fraudsters are relentlessly targeting fans. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams In early March, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to brief the public on the most pressing fraud trends of the moment. The goal was straightforward: to arm everyday people with the knowledge to recognize and stop scams before they cause harm. As our financial and social lives become increasingly digital, the tactics used by scammers evolve in parallel, making this kind of timely advice more critical than ever. ...