Consumer Alert
Celebrate National Consumer Protection Week. Talk about scams
That call or text might not seem like a scam. It might look like it’s Apple or Microsoft, saying there’s a problem with your computer. (It’s not.) It might seem like it’s Amazon, saying there’s a problem with an order. (Also no.) It might even sound like your grandchild, calling with (supposedly) an emergency. (Still no.) All of these are scammers. This is National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) and we’re inviting you to join us in talking about scams just like these.
Scammers target everyone, in any language. But research and experience show that talking about scams helps us avoid them. So, this NCPW, let’s talk about scams. Start a conversation to share what you learned about how to spot, avoid, and report scams. Maybe even reach out to someone who might need a little extra help or information.
To join the conversation this NCPW:
- Attend a free FTC event. Talk about scammers’ tactics. Choose from dozens of virtual and in-person events at ftc.gov/ncpw. (Invite a friend, too.)
- Spread the word. Get free printed materials sent to you at ftc.gov/bulkorder. Find free online and print materials in a dozen languages at ftc.gov/languages. Order, download, and share them in your community.
- Tell the FTC. Because scammers don’t let language stop them, the FTC now takes scam and identity theft reports in all languages by phone, as well as online in English and Spanish.
- Report in English: ReportFraud.ftc.gov or IdentityTheft.gov
- Report in Spanish: ReporteFraude.ftc.gov or RobodeIdentidad.gov
- Report scams in your language: Call (877) 382-4357 and press 3 to speak to an interpreter in your language (from 9-5 ET)
- Report identity theft in your language: Call (877) 438-4338 and press 3 to speak to an interpreter in your language (from 9-5 ET)
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What about Facebook.I got a message it's charging and to download it
I have adopted an approach that seems to serve me well. If I haven't requested it (whatever "it" may be, text, email, phone message, etc.) I don't respond to it, open it, answer it, etc.
I probably miss out on some legitimate things, but I really don't care.
In reply to I have adopted an approach… by Robert
Yes I have been romance scanned for almost 7vyears I anwas supposed to meet her 23 tines have most of it documented in my own writing and mostly would like to see this person jailed there's comments on the web if others burned my her as well one I know of who says he was taken for over 300000$ om at the 700000nark but she saysxw. 100000$ dobgoveuthbthat
I applaud FTC's efforts in helping consumers. This week is a renewed effort in helping consumers curtailing scams.
There is one element that confuses consumers about is which consumer protection agency - federal or state - is responsible for each product or services that are under their direct supervision. Ideally, each agency - federal or state - would list in each announcement or campaign about the services under their jurisdiction and responsibility. The lack of understanding may deter consumers to file a complaint or to seek assistance.
Happy to see some action!
It's too late for me. Scammers broke into my supposedly protected computer said they were Microsoft and scammed me out of 15 thousand dollars I believed I was sending to a "safe" account. This was half of my life savings. Reported to police, feds bank and all others. No help.
I have had no feedback concerning my reported scam. I have filed the scam report numerous times and have numbers for the reports and that is all.
In reply to I have had no feedback… by Dennis Green
Same here, I’ve done the multiple same actions over and over past few years but nothings being complished, one case was wellsfargo mortgage done illegal recording done to my property title , They recorded unauthorized illegal POA/AIF (20 names) were in my title. So I reported to cfpb and
I sent the copy of documentation to cfpb on time as allowed but cfpb forward the my documentation to 3rd party in London Ky then cfpb closed my case stating my documentation didn’t arrived on time to cfpb. Ftc did made lot of progress in last few years and very glad but there is dark side which needs monitor, such as white collour monopolies controlling gov systems..
In reply to I have had no feedback… by Dennis Green
From the FAQ page:
The FTC is not able to respond to each report individually, and it can't take action on behalf of individual consumers. The FTC uses reports like yours to investigate and bring cases against fraud, scams, and bad business practices. When you submit your report, we'll offer you next steps you can take to protect yourself or recover from fraud. If you include your email address in your report, we'll also send you an email with these steps.
Please begin "encouraging" finanacial institutions to stop using SMS messages for two-factor authentication, and begin using authenticator apps instead.
There have been many media reports recently about how "SIM card swap" scams are growing in popularity among scammers.
This is when a scammer convinces a cell phone company that they are a customer who has lost their phone or had it stolen. The phone company issues a new SIM card with the customer's phone number and the old SIM card is deactivated. Now the scammer can receive 2FA text messages intended for the customer.
Scammers use this when they also have banking information about someone, and with the SIM swap, can now break into the person's online accounts. You might think they would also need the person's passwords, but apparently they can use the "forgot password" function to also reset the person's password.
It'd be nice if these companies whose computers are hacked and they tell us ...by a postcard... that our personal, financial, and health info has been "compromised".. but they never tell me EXACTLY what info of mine was taken, nor if they found the responsible attacker, nor if they found out where my info went and if there's any consequences to the hacker. I suppose .it's nobody's fault but the company who can't secure our information. Yet it's up to then to let us know WHO was hacked. Like they know..and if they do..like they are going to admit to how many ..and they send a post card to the last address they had for you...so that means if you moved...and your forwarding is expired..that you will not be notified. I've got accounts on my credit report that I can't explain, don't know where they came from...or how they did it...but I don't have any money for an attorney to fix it .so my credit has been taking a beating for years as I wait for them to fall off. Wouldn't ya know...theres one on my credit report 3 times (I think) different creditors...I never opened an account nor even recognize any of them...(oh theres other accounts that are fraud ..I can identify them by the dollar amount ..and i just got served a small claims lawsuit for one that is 6 years old...and has been tossed around like a hot potato. And I can't prove it the Equifax breach or the capital one breach or the other few breaches of my records..and I have no money for an attorney...but I've suffered 6 years of tanked credit score due to these accounts, I've paid the price for being hacked, mentallt disabled, an no pro Bono for these cases...I got nothing to take. And can't take much more.
In reply to It'd be nice if these… by Jill Edwards
You don't have to pay a lawyer to help fix your credit. You can get your credit report for free and dispute mistakes yourself, for free.
Get your free credit report at www.AnnualCreditReport.com.
If you see accounts on your report that you didn't open, that could mean someone stole your information and opened accounts in your name. Report the identity theft at www.IdentityTheft.gov.
After you report identity theft, you get an Identity Theft Report. The Report gives you the right to get fraudulent information removed from your credit report.
You will have to send letters to the businesses and credit reporting companies about the problem. There are sample letters at www.IdentityTheft.gov.
The fact that they are having consumer protection week is a scam in its self! Protecting consumers is just an act they don't they protect the companies that are scamming. Don't waste your precious time. No one is going to help you they will lie and act like they are going to do something to get your hopes up. So just except it as a lesson learned on what not to do for the next time or now you'll know what to watch out for.
Last Friday for some inexplicable reason I took a call that I thought was from Medicare and after the call I realised it was a scam. I gave them my Social Security number, DOB, height, weight, and Medicare Number.
I have reported the scam to the Fraud Dept, FTC.
Are there any other organisations I should be contacting?
What are they likely to do with the information?
I was born in London and came to the USA in 2010. I am also a US Citizen.
In gratitude for any help!
In reply to Last Friday for some… by Paul Handover
A scammer might mis-use your Social Security number to get credit, a loan, or file a tax refund in your name. This article on this page lists warning signs of identity theft: https://www.identitytheft.gov/#/Warning-Signs-of-Identity-Theft.
To report fraud to Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
I have reported to FTC n thet saud will file report but only work with large corps.
A cr. Card Co. Rrported I had a late fee of 30 days 3 years after I got rid of card and has refused to remove it. I have written, called , reported to cr. Bureaus and asked to have a report attached about my dispute. They never honored my request