The FTC has a long history of protecting people from scams. As part of its ongoing efforts to protect people in every community, the FTC recently took steps to stop two schemes harming older adults: a tech support scam and a sweepstakes scam.
This latest tech support scam, which appears to impact older adults, has a lot in common with other scams we’ve seen. Some scammers pretend to be calling from the technical support department of a well-known company. Others send pop-up messages warning you about a problem with your computer. They want you to believe your computer is infected with a virus, or that a hacker is trying to access your computer. It’s all a ploy to get you to pay for bogus technical support you don’t need. Find out how you can help someone you know recognize and avoid a tech support scam.
The other operation appears to target older adults with a sweepstakes scam. The companies behind the scam send mailers that make people think they’ve won a $1 million prize (or more!), and that the recipient only needs to pay a small fee to claim it. Find out how you can help someone you know avoid a prize or sweepstakes scam.
If you think you see a scam, talk with someone. Your story could help someone avoid that scam. Then report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/complaint. Your story could help the FTC stop the scammers.
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The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.
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In reply to Thank you for this by Jake
In reply to I got sucked in with a pop-up by Sherry
In reply to I got sucked in with a pop-up by Sherry
In reply to How do you know if an IRS by Blondie316
The IRS is using private debt collectors to collect some tax debts. If your debt is put into the program, you will get a letter from the IRS, and then a letter from the private debt collection company. Read more from the IRS about the program.
If you get a letter and you owe federal taxes, or think you might owe, call the IRS at 800-829-1040. IRS workers can help you with your payment questions. Or go to the IRS website at irs.gov.
In reply to How do you know if an IRS by Blondie316
I have a question about all the Scan calls & E-mail we get. Is possible for use to send the suspicious 3 s or E-ms to a Trade -Comm.office for tracking? May be other ways too.
In reply to I get scam phone calls on my by Jscoot
In reply to I get scam phone calls on my by Jscoot
In reply to I get the same calls all day by Ibtink
In reply to I get scam phone calls on my by Jscoot
In reply to I've been getting calls twice by Debbih57
In reply to Thanks for the heads up. by Oldfart
In reply to Hi.you should look into these by Lillysimba
Please report that to the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/complaint. The information you give will go into a secure database that law enforcement uses for investigations. Thank you.
In reply to My telephone number has been by Brawlyer
In reply to Between scams sales calls by Legalbegal
In reply to We often answer the call with by Frosty
In reply to We often answer the call with by Frosty
In reply to We often answer the call with by Frosty
Good info, especially the Tech Support scam. You need to log out to get rid of their pop ups. thanks
In reply to Good info, especially the by slb
In reply to The FTC has been wonderful by Virginia
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