Scams

Don’t Get Butchered: How to Spot and Stop “Pig Butchering” Scams You get a friendly, seemingly random message on social media, WhatsApp, or a dating app. The conversation turns to cryptocurrency or other “can’t-miss” investment opportunities. Before you know it, you’re being guided to send money to a platform that looks legitimate, only to watch your investment—and your new “friend”—vanish. This isn’t just bad luck; it’s a sophisticated fraud known as “pig butchering,” and authorities are sounding the alarm. ...

What a New Survey Says About Banking Fraud—And How to Protect Yourself A recent survey from the American Bankers Association (ABA) conducted by Morning Consult offers a snapshot of how consumers feel about their banks’ fraud protection efforts. The findings, released in the fall of 2025, suggest a generally high level of consumer satisfaction. While this is encouraging news, it’s not a reason for complacency. Understanding these perceptions and pairing them with proactive personal security measures is crucial for true financial safety. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Scams Every day, scammers refine their tactics, looking for new ways to trick people out of their money and personal information. Keeping up with their latest schemes is one of the best defenses you have. Recently, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar to shed light on the most prevalent and emerging scam trends affecting consumers right now. ...

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. ...

Beyond the Headlines: What the FTC’s Scam Webinar Really Means for You You’ve probably seen the warnings: “New scam alert!” or “Protect your money!” They flash across news tickers and fill social media feeds, often feeling too vague to be useful. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) cut through the noise with a timely webinar during National Consumer Protection Week, offering a clearer picture of the specific tricks fraudsters are using right now. While the full details are presented to professionals like those at ACA International, the core insights provide a crucial roadmap for everyday consumers looking to safeguard their wallets and personal information. ...

Your Guide to the FTC’s 2026 Consumer Safety Advice Another year, another wave of sophisticated scams. As digital life becomes more embedded in our routines, the tactics used by fraudsters grow more convincing. That’s why the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) remains a critical touchpoint. For 2026, the agency has distilled its guidance into clear, actionable advice aimed at helping everyday people build stronger digital defenses. ...

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 Played: A Real-World Guide to Spotting, Stopping, and Recovering from Scams It’s a stressful reality of modern life: sophisticated scams are on the rise. From AI-generated voices that sound like a distressed family member to phishing emails that look indistinguishable from real ones, fraudsters are constantly refining their tactics. Recent data, including reports of a 50% surge in identity theft over the past two tax seasons, underscores that this isn’t just an annoyance—it’s a significant financial and personal risk. The good news is that you are not powerless. By understanding the current landscape and implementing a few key habits, you can dramatically reduce your risk and know exactly what to do if you’re targeted. ...

Your Guide to Outsmarting Scams: Practical Advice for 2026 National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) isn’t just a calendar event—it’s a yearly reminder to sharpen our defenses. As we look ahead to 2026, the core advice from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) remains crucial: staying informed is your first line of defense. Scams evolve, but the principles for spotting and stopping them don’t. This guide translates the FTC’s key messages into practical steps you can use right now. ...