The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.
The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.
You get a card, call, or email telling you that you won! Maybe it’s a lottery, sweepstakes, or some other prize. The person calling is excited and can’t wait for you to get your winnings.
Did you lose money to a scam, wiring the money via Western Union between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017?
Scammers need a good story to get to your wallet. Once they find one that works, they use it again and again.
Who wouldn’t love to be that winner you see on TV holding a great big sweepstakes check?
Have you gotten a call from someone saying they’re from a Chinese Consulate office? If so, you’re not alone – based on reports to the FTC and the real Chinese Consulates.
Scammers pretending to be with the FTC or with FTC refund administrators are calling, asking for remote access to your computer.
We’ve heard that people are getting official-looking emails about the Western Union settlement. The thing to know is that you cannot apply for a refund by email.
A lot of us have student loans – and some of us have trouble paying them every month.
We’ve recently heard that scammers are recycling an old phishing attempt.
The FTC has a long history of protecting people from scams.