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Avoid Scams When You Travel
Before you start your travel plans, learn common tactics scammers use that can ruin your entire trip.
Learn about the latest scams, and get advice to help you avoid, report, and recover from them.
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How To Avoid Scams After Weather Emergencies and Natural Disasters
Advice to help you choose a contractor, pay wisely, and handle problems along the way.
Article
Fake Prize, Sweepstakes, and Lottery Scams
You get a call, email, or letter saying you won a sweepstakes, lottery, or prize — like an iPad, a new car, or something else.
Consumer Alert
That social media ad with super low prices on well-known brands could be a scam
See an eye-catching “deal” on your social for a brand-name product at a big discount? Don’t click — it could be a scam. Here’s what to know.
Consumer Alert
LA Fitness made it difficult for people to cancel gym memberships, FTC says
If you’re looking to join a gym, you’ll probably find the membership sign-up process is quick and easy. Cancelling should be easy, too — but sometimes businesses make you jump through hoops that make it nearly impossible to quit. That’s unlawful and costs people a lot of time and money. And that’s what the FTC alleges LA Fitness did to people who signed up for monthly gym subscriptions.
Consumer Alert
Moving this summer? Watch for rental scams
Summer is a popular time to move to a new place, so you might be on the hunt right now. Looking for apartments or houses online is convenient, but that’s where many rental scams start. If you think you’ve found the perfect price in a great location, know how to spot a rental scam — before you commit to a rental.
Consumer Alert
How to spot and avoid task scams
You get an unexpected message on WhatsApp, Telegram, text, or social media. The person says you can make quick money online doing tasks. It sounds simple, and the message says you’ll get paid right away. But this could be a scam. Read on to find out how to spot and avoid them.
Consumer Alert
Looking for health insurance? Make sure that’s what you’re getting
Are you looking to get or switch your health insurance? Know that some dishonest marketers might lie about what your plan would cover, make it seem like they’re selling health insurance when you’re really just getting a discount plan, or try to sell you something else entirely.
Consumer Alert
Business and government impersonators go after older adults’ life savings
Scammers posing as government agencies or well-known businesses are increasingly going after retirees’ life savings. They weave a web of lies about some bogus crisis. Then they trick older adults into giving them tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Consumer Alert
Scammers are using fake websites in a twist on jury duty scams
Scammers are still pretending to be the police, calling to say you’ve missed jury duty and need to pay. But in a new twist, some scammers are now telling you to visit a website to enter your personal information — all so they can steal it and your money.
Consumer Alert
Free resources for learning money management and how to spot and avoid scams
Do you know someone who might need to brush up on their money management skills? Or learn to spot and avoid scams? Back-to-school season is a good time to get to work on learning. Whether you're a student, a parent, or just looking to sharpen your skills, you can learn how to protect your money and personal information. The FTC’s consumer.gov has free, reliable information in plain language to help you get started.
Consumer Alert
Job-seeking servicemembers: Avoid scams while you search
Discharged from the military, retiring, or transitioning to civilian life? Once you leave active duty, you might be interested in new career opportunities to put your valuable skills and experience to work. Scammers are also looking for opportunities — specifically, to steal your money. Reports to the FTC about job scams have tripled from 2020 to 2024 and reported losses jumped from $90 million to $501 million in that time. Here are some ways to help you spot a scam while you’re job searching.
Consumer Alert
Spot scams while getting out of debt
Having a lot of debt can be stressful at any age. But if you’re retired or about to live on a fixed income, paying off debt can sometimes be more challenging. As you explore your options, know that scammers might promise to take away your debt — for a fee. If you pay them before they help you, you’ll likely lose money instead of getting a fresh start. So, what’s the best way to pay down debt while avoiding scams?
Consumer Alert
Scammy texts offering “refunds” for Amazon purchases
Scammers are pretending to be Amazon again. This time, they’re sending texts claiming there’s a problem with something you bought. They offer a refund if you click a link — but it’s a scam. Here’s how the scam works so you can avoid it.
Consumer Alert
That text about an overdue traffic ticket is probably a scam
Chances are, you’ve gotten a scam text about unpaid toll charges or know someone who has. Now scammers are going even further and pretending to be the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) from states all over the country. They insist that you pay for an “overdue traffic ticket” and threaten to suspend your driving privileges (among other things) if you don’t. Here’s how the scam works.
Consumer Alert
Real government agents aren’t asking you to buy and deliver gold bars
If someone contacts you unexpectedly and tells you to buy gold bars and hand them to someone (anyone!) to “protect your money,” you’ve spotted a scam. Instead of doing what they say, stop. Want to know how these scams work and how to avoid them? Read on.
Consumer Alert
Spot and avoid FEMA impersonators
Scammers know natural disasters create opportunities to take advantage of people. One way they do that is by impersonating Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials to steal people’s money and personal information. FEMA impersonators often show up, call, or text people after a weather emergency and offer services like disaster grants or home inspections for a fee, usually cash up front. But these are scams: FEMA doesn’t charge people for disaster assistance.
Consumer Alert
New job? How to spot boss imposter scams
After a long search, you’ve got that new job. You can’t wait to share the good news on social media, but as you’re shouting it from the virtual rooftop, know this: it’s not only friends and colleagues who’ll get the alert. Scammers are watching, too — and they might use the update to target you.
Consumer Alert
Help the people affected by flooding in Texas — not a scammer
In response to the devastating flash flooding in central Texas, many are looking for ways to get and give help. And scammers are looking to prey on people’s generosity. So how can you make sure your donations go to the people who need them and not to a scammer?
Consumer Alert
Veterans and caregivers: Recognize VA benefits overpayment scams
Got a letter in the mail from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) saying you owe money due to an overpayment of your benefits? You might be wondering: Was I really overpaid? How much do I need to pay back? To get real answers to questions like these, always start by logging into your VA.gov account.
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