Consumer Alert
Will the FTC call or write you? Will they demand money?
Scammers trying to rip you off will often impersonate organizations or government agencies you know. Some even pretend to be from the Federal Trade Commission. But how can you know if it’s the FTC or if it’s a scammer impersonating the FTC?
If someone who says they’re from the FTC demands money or threatens you, that’s not the FTC. Only scammers pretending to be the FTC will do that. The latest twist? Scammers are sending fake letters from Sam Levine, the Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, threatening to “shut down” your accounts for “unsanctioned” activity and demanding that you call an “officer” immediately. Don’t do it. Report them at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
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Here’s when and how the FTC will communicate with you:
- If you report something to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, you’ll get advice about how to recover and protect yourself. You’ll also get that information by email, if you give us an email address.
- If you’re getting a refund or payment from an FTC case, you’ll get it by check, prepaid debit card, or PayPal. The payment or claim form will tell you more about the case and why you’re getting money. Go to ftc.gov/refunds to see a list of FTC cases that resulted in refunds, the name of the company sending payments, and a phone number to call with questions.
Don’t respond to someone who says they’re from the FTC and demands money, threatens you, or asks for personal or financial information. Report them to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
What if you’re not sure it’s a scam? Report it anyway. Your report could help the FTC stop scammers.
Shouldn't this video be captioned for the 40 million Americans who are Deaf or hard of hearing?
I have been scammed out of $100,000 from these people so-called saying they’re from the government agencies now I have lost all my money and I have nothing left
I have a letter from Ftc saying that it's a survey settlement regarding my ducts in my house and that's it suppose to be sent in by March 2, 2023 they even sent me the agreement how can I be sure
In reply to I have a letter from Ftc… by Margaret Oneal
Some homeowners got surveys in the mail because the FTC and the State of California recently reached a settlement with Ygrene Energy Fund, a company that provides home improvement financing. The surveys were mailed on January 31, 2023.
The survey will help determine whether a homeowner is eligible for their lien to be released or whether they may be eligible for other monetary relief.
If you get a survey, please respond by March 2, 2023.
Read about it on the FTC website at www.ftc.gov/enforcement/refunds/ygrene-pace-financing-settlement
In reply to I have a letter from Ftc… by Margaret Oneal
SOUNDS LIKE ALL IT TAKES IS A CALL TO THE FTC TO ASK A SIMPLE QUESTION.DID YOU OR ANYONE FROM THE FTC CALL OR EMAIL , EVEN WRITE REGARDING A SURVEY OR WHATEVER IT WAS. THEY WILL TELL YOU THE TRUTH. ALSO GET THAT PERSON NAME AND TITLE. WRITE DOWN DATE AND TIME YOU CALLED THEM AND WHATEVER STATEMENT WAS ANSWERED . YOU SHOULD KNOW WHAT TO DO SINCE OF COURSE YOU TRIED TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM BEING SCAMMED. THE SCAMMERS MAY WANT JUST ONE LITTLE THING AND SOMETIME SURVEYS CAN GIVE THEM THAT ONE THING, IF ITS NOT LEGALLY THE FTC.
Thank you so much for the warning. I wish people had better things to do instead of preying on others!
Amazed you let people impersonate you or any federal law enforcement agency. What if someone impersonates a police officer??
I received a message via WhatsApp from a Jim Smith claiming that he could help recover my funds that were scammed by a Jennifer Pantoja.
Is this Zjim Smith a legitimate representative? Is WhatsApp the normal way of communicating?