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Government Grant Scams

Offers of free money from government grants are scams. Here’s how to avoid a government grant scam, and how to report it.
Consumer Alert

FTC Commissioners aren’t calling you — really

Andrew Rayo
Scammers have been calling, pretending to be people from the FTC. While the names they use might be real, they’re actually scammers — some of them hoping to trick you into thinking they’re an FTC Commissioner. But they’re not. Whether the caller promises you a prize or threatens you with arrest — and even if they give a (fake) badge number — that’s a scammer. So that call from someone who wants your money or info, and says they’re Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya from the FTC — or Commissioner Noah Phillips, Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, Commissioner Christine Wilson, or FTC Chair Khan? That’s a scam.
Consumer Alert

Warning: Callers are impersonating FTC Commissioner Noah Phillips

Jennifer Leach
You’re minding your business and the phone rings. If you don’t screen and ignore it, you answer — and the caller says he’s Commissioner Noah Phillips from the FTC. (He’s not.) He gives you a badge number (it’s fake), says there’s a warrant for your arrest (there’s not), and demands that you pay up (nope).
Consumer Alert

Child Tax Credit scammers are still reaching out

Emily Wu

Many people have gotten their advance Child Tax Credit payments this year, but scammers are taking advantage of this new program to try to trick you out of money or information.

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