Consumer Alert
Sure ways to spot a scammer
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Scammers say and do things that can tell us they’re lying — and they’re not who they pretend to be. Of course, to hear or see those clues, we have to get past the panic scammers make us feel, thanks to the so-called emergencies they try to create. And since scammers are convincing, that can be hard to do. But recent scams are costing people their life savings, so here are some sure ways to spot the scammer.
Things only scammers will say:
- “Act now!” That’s a scam. Scammers use pressure, so you don’t have time to think. But pressuring you to act now is always a sign of a scam. It’s also a reason to stop.
- “Only say what I tell you to say.” That’s a scam. The minute someone tells you to lie to anyone — including bank tellers or investment brokers — stop. It’s a scam.
- “Don’t trust anyone. They’re in on it.” That’s a scam. Scammers want to cut you off from anyone who might slow you down.
- “Do [this] or you’ll be arrested.” That’s a scam. Any threat like this is a lie. Nobody needs money or information to keep you out of jail, keep you from being deported, or avoid bigger fines. They’re all scams.
- “Don’t hang up.” That’s a scam. If someone wants to keep you on the phone while you go withdraw or transfer money, buy gift cards, or anything else they’re asking you to do: that’s a scammer. DO hang up.
And here’s a list of things that only scammers will tell you to do:
- “Move your money to protect it” is a scam. Nobody legit will tell you to transfer or withdraw money from your bank or investment accounts. But scammers will.
- “Withdraw money and buy gold bars” is a scam. Always. Every time.
- “Withdraw cash and give it to [anyone]” is a scam. Doesn’t matter who they say: it’s a scam. Don’t give it to a courier, don’t deliver it anywhere, don’t send it. It’s a scam.
- “Go to a Bitcoin ATM” is a scam. Nobody legit will ever insist you get cryptocurrency of any kind. And there’s no legit reason for someone to send you to a Bitcoin ATM. It’s a scam.
- “Buy gift cards” is a scam. There’s never a reason to pay for anything with a gift card. And once you share the PIN numbers on the back, your money’s as good as gone.
If you see or hear any version of any of these phrases, you’ve just spotted a scammer. Instead of doing what they say, stop. Hang up. Delete the email. Stop texting. Block their number — anything to get away from them. And then, tell someone you trust and report the scam to the FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
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Our “Anatomy of an Imposter Scam” blog series breaks down how to recognize, avoid, and report business and government imposter scams. Read more.
- Never move your money to “protect it.” That’s a scam
- What’s a verification code and why would someone ask me for it?
- Will your bank or investment fund stop a transfer to a scammer? Probably not
- Sure ways to spot a scammer
- Did you get a call or text about a suspicious purchase on Amazon? It’s a scam
- New tech support scammers want your life savings
- Did someone send you to a Bitcoin ATM? It’s a scam
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I just got an email from a survey company that’s going to send me a check to deposit for my 1st assignment so I can buy 3 gift cards and to send pics of front and back with info showing and to keep cards for future assignments and there are so many red flags!! What should I do?
In reply to I just got an email from a… by R Mayer
Run, Run. Or, close the computer. Then run!
In reply to I just got an email from a… by R Mayer
VERY OBVIOUS SCAM.
In reply to I just got an email from a… by R Mayer
I got a call yesterday from some unidentified person almost demanding to know my phone number. I'm sure he already knew it. I hung up.
In reply to I just got an email from a… by R Mayer
So I get a email scammers sent talking almost $500 was about to be took out of my Pay Pal. ( I DONT HAVE PAY PAL) So I called the number and he wanted the number on the fake bill. Give that to him then he wanted to know my name and I said nope your not getting my name. He hung the phone up!.. His address is on the bill.. WHAT A LOSER. his email I got with his name all but one letter different. That stuff I was post to bought was to protect my computer from getting hacked. So that is why he bough the stuff his self, sent me a fake bill, He did that and now his computer is protected and he knows he can do everyone that way.
Thank you very much.
I got a call saying "This is your oldest grandson, I know it doesn't sound like me, I've been in a car wreck." I replied "If you are my oldest grandson, what's your name?" He hung up.
In reply to I got a call saying "This is… by Jodi
Same thing happened to me. I knew it was a scam the second I said "hello." I have no grandsons. I played with this despicable scammer for about 3 minutes. Then I asked him what his mother's name was. He used several expletives and hung up. What a loser!
In reply to I got a call saying "This is… by Jodi
They want you to say, “oh John is that you?” Yes yes I’m John! Then everyone knows and calls. My 80+ year old father got multiple versions of that every week.
Thanks for watching our backs!
Good, but you left one out:
"We are from the government and we are here to help you."
Run, run, run away :-)
Thank you!
The articles and/or training materials posted on the FTC website are the best in class. I am so grateful to have access to this content and resources.
Curious if there are any articles written from a retailers perspective on how to teach their employees to protect their customers from these scams.
This would be very helpful.
Thank you,
Michele
In reply to The articles and/or training… by Michele Eaton
We have many resources to help small business owners, available at www.ftc.gov/SmallBusiness. There are online articles about scams that target your business, how to protect customers' personal information, what to do in case of a data breach, and more. Read the articles online, download and print copies for employees, or order free print copies at www.ftc.gov/bulkorder.
When you're on the Small Business site, subscribe to the Business Blog so you'll get regular email updates about business topics.
My parents were sold a plot in a national cemetery by someone representing a mortuary. After they passed, we discovered this and learned that burial in a national cemetery is free to all military veterans. They do not sell plots. My parents' intended site had no record of the sale. Please be aware of sales tactics targeting veterans for services they're already entitled.
Great article!
I get emails all the time that i have purchased on amazon ebay etc and my card will be charged in 8 hours
They also say @dont turn off computer”
Thank you for all that you do!
Thank you for letting us know about SCAMMERS. I have seen these messages before. Thank you.
What about companies that tells you they can help you with your debit??
I had an error come up on my computer saying I had been hacked, call Microsoft with the phone number. I called a d was told that my IP address was stolen. So was my Id info. She gave me a case number. Then she said that my id was used to look at child porn and open accounts with lots of money. She said she was transferring me to FTC. The guy said that I was not to speak to any on and send me a copy of ID and had me key online PN1156 to prove it was him. I was told not to tell anyone or I would be arrested. He said the scammers are smart and if they get wind we are talking I would be in danger. He said he is talking on a secure telephone line number 202 600 8402 I was to call this number to talk to him. He then told me to get all the money in my investments and have them send it to me in a bank check. I was suppose to deposit it in my checking. There would be two guys showing up to give me papers on what I am suppose to do. He always asked if I was alone. He told me Security would be locking my SS number and send me a new SS number. Some how he got a copy of my license. What can I do I know this must be a scammer. Help
In reply to I had an error come up on my… by Lynn
The FTC will never tell you to transfer your money, or make threats, or demand money from you.
Never move your money to "protect" it. That's a scam. Your money is fine where it is, no matter what they say or how urgently they say it. Moving it means you’ll lose it, not protect it. Someone who says you have to move your money to protect it is a scammer.
If you’re worried, call your real bank, broker, or investment advisor. Use the number you find on your statement Never use any numbers the caller gives you, which will take you to the scammer.
If you get a call like this, tell your bank or fund right away. Especially if you moved money or shared a verification code. Then tell the FTC at www.ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
If you have more questions, please write again.
In reply to The FTC will never tell you… by FTC Staff
Is this company legal Nielsen they told me not to No one about them they wanted to know what l watch daily on tv. They also pay you money.
In reply to I had an error come up on my… by Lynn
The same think happened to me today! The person that said they were from the FTC told me I was compromised on my compute and phone and that my SS number had been used to open several credit cards and. On line purchases had been made, porno sides had been accessed. Money laundrying from Mexico to China and it went on and on. He said there was a warrant for my arrest for the money laundrying. He told me I need to get a new SS number and that I should take all my money out of my banks, credit union in cash, and that a federal agent would hold that money until I could open new accounts. I came on this site to see if there were any help because the whole think sounded wrong.. The secure number they gave to to call 202-995-1617.
In reply to I had an error come up on my… by Lynn
Just had this happen to me yesterday, almost identical except they did get the last 4 digits of my SS# and they said someone had Child porn charged 550.00 on my bank account. Very unfortunately I went into a terror coma and did what they asked, the whole time thinking this is not real no Fed agency would ask me to do this. Mine was gift card to protect ,my account. PTL that my bank had a limit on how much I could withdraw. Now I'm so embarrassed and ashamed. I seen all the red flags but in my fear I kept going.
In reply to I had an error come up on my… by Lynn
me too ..computer locked up ..said call apple support that id been hacked...said dont use my phone, turn off computer and eased me towards banking info and what i used computer for ..ie banking pay bills, shopping..all financial related...shut them down and got new anti virus of my own....restated computer all was fine, no alerts ran scan on systems ..all ok
When reading emails and I think it is a scam, what is the best way to reach you?
Thank you. But the robot thing below, people like me can't see it. Many places use that and many of us can not see.
I got hooked..saw email about a charge for antivirus I never signed up for for $421..saw a phone number to call if I did not want this...called it..{stupid on my part}} they had me download Any desk which a screen sharing sight...because when I was suppose to type in the $$421 to get it back he was using screen share on my bank account and made me think that $$3000 was added to that spot instead..so I panicked and asked how do it get this back to you ..he says do not tell anyone because the $3000 was from a foreign account and if anyone knew I would get fined for accepting it...long story short..he said to get back the $$3000 to them I would have to go to closest place and buy 4 $500 Google gift cards..i said well I will have to get money at an ATM ..he says no use the $money that was deposited in your account and showed me that sure enought there it was in my checking account..and put it on a cc or debit card..so I did that..the whole time he had me on speaker and told me to just tell cashier I was buying them for Xmas gifts..I then was told to also put any desk app on my phone and to let me know when I was in my driveway so I could scratch off numbers and send him pictures of each one..I did that..I never gave it a thought about it being a scam..then he tells me he will call me the next morning to get the other $$1000..well it bothered me all night and I couldn't sleep..so got up really early and decided to drive to my bank and I took my laptop with me so I could show them email...I called to tell them I thought I was scammed and they immediately locked my bank account and cancelled my debit and credit card..he called my phone 5 times while I was driving ..I rejected all of them..so he texted me and asked where I was..I did not answer..needles to say I was out $2000..had to get new cards a new bank account and change all mh passwords and payment info on all my bills as well as let social security to mail me my money instead of depositing it into my old account..little did I know but the $3000 I saw in my checking was what he did..went into my account and transferred money out of my savings account while using Any desk..Filled out police report..but since they are not from U.S. they cannot get them..I am 77 and all I have is social security so that loss really messed me up..payments couldn't get paid etc..And I feel very stupid..and of course my family made me feel foolish..all behind me now and it will never happen to me again!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks so much for these updates and informative communiques. As a senior, I fortunately have so far never fallen for these scams; but I know they've come my way, and thanks to you folks, I'm prepared to delete such requests.
Thank-you for the information.
I just received one yesterday. I was doing a search and a message box dropped in on my search and said that my computer was having multiple attacks on my Apple ID and various accounts. It looked very legitimate. I called the number and a person with a Middle Eastern accent tried to get me to open WhatsApp so he could end the attack. When I told him I wanted him to talk to my husband, he hung up.
I regularly read and find benefit from your infographics, and this is one of the best I have seen. So concise yet covers such a variety of scammer tactics. Thank you for sharing. The only thing which could make these better is if the infographic were available as a downloadable one-page PDF which we could post in our lobbies for customers to see and read.
In reply to I regularly read and find… by Erin
To print the text of this post, click Ctrl key and then the letter P on your keyboard. Then you'll get the choice to print the page. The post will print out with the title and date.
To print copies of the infographic that says "If someone says "Don't trust anyone. They're in on it." It's a scam"
Go to the link at the end of this paragraph, then follow the printing instructions. If you don't have a color printer, the infographic will automatically print in black and white. Link to infographic: consumer.ftc.gov/system/files/styles/scaled_lg/private/consumer_ftc_gov/images/Impersonator-SocMed-1200x630-4-Trust.png?itok=yj0wxrA0
In reply to To print the text of this… by FTC Staff
When it’s not. Scam ? But multiple people in multiple states get W9 but not bank account holders. Why doesn’t the FTC have a rule to prevent the banks from making false statements . If a bank or any company gives. W9 this should never be used when the IRS hasn’t sent a letter to “you” it says not to use or give information on the same form that bank gave demanding information. What kind of federal agency ignores that a person can’t get a lawyer for a national bank .
Is Cheersway a scam? They send you USDT, ask you to withdraw it, then ask you to deposit a bigger amount of money to their app.. Claim it is refundable in a year. And that it's an employment opportunity
IN 2020 I WON A MAJOR WIN 1 MILLION AND A NEW TRUCK BACK EVERYTHING WAS FRE TO WIN AND GET YOUR WINNINGS THEY HAVE NOT PAID ME A PENNY OF IT 4 YEARS NOW THEY ARE TRYING TO BLACKMAIL ME INTO PAYING THEM OR THEY WON'T PAY ME ALSO THIS PAST DECEMBER I WON 10.5 MIL AND A NEW TRUCK WON'T PAY ME UNLESS I BUY A GIFT CARD ??? THAT'S ILLEGAL
I truly believe CHASE BANK is scamming. I had to call the bank just to change my phone over two months back., Because someone was taking money from my account. The young man said it was done. Give it about 24 hrs. Well! This past week I had to call Chase Bank again to up date my number again. It wasn't updated at all. I had to call the bank again. They placed me on hold so they can look at my account. I was told my phone number do not match anything in my account. I really feel CHASE BANK employees is going into my account and saying it is fraud. They really need to be investigated as well
I have gotten calls from people saying that they were 'Amazon' and ''Walmart' within the last week.
They wereb;t very convincing.`
I just hung up. ... But they are always out there, trying.
If the Federal Government would just set up a Universal $0.10 connection fee for all phone calls, these nuisance calls would stop pretty quickly.
I have been talking to a man who CALLED ME IN RESPONSE TO A REQUEST TO REMOVE MY OLD MICROWAVE AND INSTALL A NEW ONE FOR A GOOD PRICE..He called yesterday and said a person would be at my house Saturday.He was very hard to get him on the phone and for him to call back.So far no show and no answer on phone calls.I think I have been SCAMMED.Should I report this to the police.?
Started out by a comment I made under a post for grandparents loving their grandchildren. A so called gentleman posted a reply under my comment that he would love to chat with me and become my "friend". I answered and we started to message each other on Facebook everyday about job on an Oil Rig in the Golf Coast. Ofcourse he got my attention being a lonely widow and an easy target for a Scammer. After two weeks of messageing I asked for Face time with him and ofcourse when we tried I could not see his face and was told by him it wasn't working. It ended when he asked me for a gift card. The End...
Scam scam scam
Scammers
In reply to Scammers by Celia mae Toole
I got a call from Fidelity Credit Card - correct Phone Number - (later realized scammers can show any # to look legit). They knew my phone and credit card numbers - and said there were charges from another state - from Target - $605 dollars. It wasn't valid - they said they would shut down the card and send me a new one. Then asked for a verification code (my bad I gave it). Alerts started flashing - they said "thats not us" - I hung up and saw that PayPal was involved - in fact my password for my Fidelity Investments was changed, and my account was linked to PayPay - I called and had my accounts shut down - this all took less than 20 min - PayPay transfers had already started - money was lost. Any calls - hang up and call the legit number!
Hello everyone please helped me let everything right now for security and protect fraud and scam making work out making issues account day ease from A-Z please thrive tome enable me know when good right for me thanks
I received a call claiming they were from The Publishers Clearing House. They claimed I was up to win $4.5 million dollars and stated the taxed on that money was $90.00. Then we started to get the money for the taxes until I finally found out that this was a scam. When I refused to give them any more money, the explained to me that we were almost finished with the process. I give them $25,000 more dollars and that will satisfy the obligation. I would be sent the money right away. I refused and the guy kept calling me for three (3) days after. Then heard nothing more. I hope they get these guys.
Thank you for the information. I am taking care of an older adult and we receive the same SCAM call every morning around medicare benefits. Each time, there is a different number, customer service representative and when I mention the do not call list they hang up. BE AWARE - could be calling themselves "Healthcare Benefits".
His telephone number begins with country code 234, he has my number and I'm very concerned.
Thank you.
Being scammed by apple