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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.
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National Consumer Protection Week - March 3-9,2024
Search Terms
scam
Topics
Unwanted Calls
Unwanted Emails, Texts, and Mail
Identity Theft
Online Privacy and Security
Scams
All Scams
Phishing Scams
Job Scams
Car Buying Scams
Charity Scams
COVID-19 Scams
Debt and Credit Scams
Family Emergency Scams
Free Trial Scams
Money-Making Opportunity Scams
Prize and Grant Scams
Wire Transfer Scams
Tech Support Scams
Student Loan and Education Scams
Scams Against Small Businesses
Avoiding and Reporting Scams
Scams Against Immigrants
Rental and Housing Scams
Scams Against Older Adults
Fake Check Scams
Gift Card Scams
Business Impersonators
FTC Impersonators
Government Impersonators
IRS Impersonators
Medicare Impersonators
Health and Weight Loss Scams
Social Security Impersonators
Phone Scams
Romance Scams

It is your choice whether to submit a comment. If you do, you must create a user name, or we will not post your comment. The Federal Trade Commission Act authorizes this information collection for purposes of managing online comments. Comments and user names are part of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) public records system, and user names also are part of the FTC’s computer user records system. We may routinely use these records as described in the FTC’s Privacy Act system notices. For more information on how the FTC handles information that we collect, please read our privacy policy.

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.

  • We won’t post off-topic comments, repeated identical comments, or comments that include sales pitches or promotions.
  • We won’t post comments that include vulgar messages, personal attacks by name, or offensive terms that target specific people or groups.
  • We won’t post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity.
  • We won’t post comments that include personal information, like Social Security numbers, account numbers, home addresses, and email addresses. To file a detailed report about a scam, go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Opinions in comments that appear in this blog belong to the individuals who expressed them. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission.

Mary Gray
March 04, 2024

What about Facebook.I got a message it's charging and to download it

Robert
March 04, 2024

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.

Fernando
March 04, 2024

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!

Elizabeth Rickard
March 04, 2024

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.

Dennis Green
March 04, 2024

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.

Lee wilson
March 05, 2024

In reply to 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..

JG
March 05, 2024

In reply to 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.

Rich
March 06, 2024

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.

Jill Edwards
March 06, 2024

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.

FTC Staff
March 06, 2024

In reply to 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.

Amy H
March 07, 2024

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.

Paul Handover
March 18, 2024

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!

Donna
March 21, 2024

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

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