BY SUZANNE HAZLETT, MBA, CIMA®, CFP®
Pig butchering is a rather vulgar term in the financial realm that refers to financial crimes and abuse, particularly of individuals aged 60 and older. Perpetrators “fatten up” their victims with fake relationships and promises of romance or high investment returns. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the highest law enforcement agency in the U.S., in 2024, fraud against older adults caused over $3.4 billion in financial losses. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) recently reported that nearly 41% of American adults have lost money to fraud, with people over 60 submitting the most complaints and suffering the most losses.
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the broker-dealer industry’s regulator, recently noted in their annual report an increase in scams in which victims are fooled into helping fraudsters deplete their own accounts. FINRA warns that fraudsters increasingly use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other technologies to scam victims. One example is using social media posts to direct investors to phony investment clubs. Financial crimes have proven to be most successful when criminals target more isolated elderly who have fewer real-life social connections.
Scammer Red Flags
-Quick to show romantic or business interest in you
-Avoid meeting you in person and showing themselves
-Use the latest technology to assume and change their identities
-Offer quick and easy profits
-Offer unsolicited assistance and advice with creating new online accounts, installing investment applications, or remotely accessing your computer
-Request personal details or banking information
-Ask you for money for a fake emergency scenario
-Often use poor spelling and grammar in messages, websites, and applications
Avoiding Scams and Identity Theft
-Shield Yourself
Don’t respond to random messages from unknown parties
Place no-cost credit freezes on your financial records with the three credit reporting agencies experian.com, equifax.com, transunion.com
-Guard Your Personal Information
Pay attention to the information you share online
Use caution on social media and online dating sites
-Communicate with Trusted Contacts and Advisors
The relationship with an advisor can be helpful in protecting against abuse
Naming a trusted contact with your financial institutions enables firms to make contact on your behalf if concerns arise
What to do if you or someone you care about is a victim:
-Report fraud to your local law enforcement agency
-Contact the Federal Trade Commission reportfraud.ftc.gov
-Contact the Internet Crime Complaint Center ic3.gov
-For more information about the United States Secret Service and financial crimes involving cryptocurrencies visit secretservice.gov/investigations/digitalassets
Suzanne Hazlett, MBA, CIMA®, CFP®, is a Certified Investment Management Analyst® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professional. Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Securities are offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC.. HAZLETT WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC is independent of Raymond James and is not a registered broker/dealer. 675 Sun Valley Road, Suite J1 + J2, Ketchum, Idaho, 83340 208.726.0605 HazlettWealthManagement.com
