Scammers impersonate the FTC, too

Scammers never seem to run out of new ways to try to take your money or steal your identity, especially in times of crisis like the one we’re living through now.

One of the latest schemes involves an email that claims—falsely—that it came from me. It might say you’re entitled to some money from a phony “Global Empowerment Fund” and tell you to give your bank account number or credit card information.

These emails are not from me or anyone else at the FTC. They are a scam. The FTC will never send you an email asking you to share your bank account information. Or your Social Security number. Or your credit card number.

In fact, anyone who asks you to wire money or pay by gift card or with cryptocurrency is a scammer.

If you’ve encountered this scam or any other, report it to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint so we can warn others. If you’ve given your personal information to someone you don’t know, you may be at risk for identity theft. Visit identitytheft.gov to learn what to do if a scammer has your personal information.