Learn about the latest scams, and get advice to help you avoid, report, and recover from them.
Fake calls from Apple and Amazon support: What you need to know
Scammers are calling people and using the names of two companies everyone knows, Apple and Amazon, to rip people off. Here’s what you need to know about these calls.
Veterans and imposter scams
During the past four years, the FTC logged more than 378,000 reports from veterans — and nearly 161,000 were fraud-related.
FTC warns companies to stop peddling fake COVID treatments and cures
Here at the FTC, we’ve seen people pitching COVID treatments like gemstone bead bracelets, water filtration systems, indoor tanning with red
Help veterans avoid scams
On Veterans Day, we celebrate our veterans — more than 18 million strong. We thank you for your service and sacrifice. It’s also a good time to arm yourself with some tips to avoid fraud.
Why report fraud?
Scams come in many forms: texts, emails, letters, and lots of calls.
Fake Clorox and Lysol websites try to take people to the cleaners
Scammers follow the headlines. They take advantage of what’s happening in the news to find new ways to get people to part with their money.
Temporary stop of COVID-19 evictions: what you need to know
In September, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a temporary order to stop evictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 clinical trial: real or fake? Learn how to tell the difference.
There are thousands of trials underway as companies race to find effective vaccines and treatments for COVID-19. Many of these research studies are legitimate, but some are not.
Overpaid your utility bill? That’s probably a scam
You get a robocall saying you paid too much on a utility bill. To make up for this mistake, they say, you’ll get a cash refund and a discount on your future bills.
How to spot, avoid, and report imposter scams
Imposter scams often begin with a call, text message, or email.
Threatening phone scams are targeting parents and immigrants
Two disturbing phone scams have popped up on the FTC’s radar.
Non-filers: Expect a letter about your stimulus check
If you don’t usually file a tax return, or didn’t file a return for 2018 or 2019, you might not know yo
The FTC Chairman is not writing to you
If you saw an email from FTC Chairman Joseph Simons, it wasn’t. From him, that is. Scammers pretending to be him are emailing, though.
Empowering the Latino community to avoid and report scams
Every year, Hispanic Heritage Month gives us a chance to reflect on the great contributions Latinos have made to society.
Tips to help you prepare for — and recover from — natural disasters
More than 85 large wildfires are ripping across the West Coast, from California to Oregon and Washington.
Fake check scams and your small business
If someone you don’t know sends you a check and asks for money back, that’s a scam. But what if you’re a small business owner and someone “overpays” you and asks you to refund the balance?
Scammers prey on your kindness during disasters
Wildfires raging out West. The hurricane season. Civil unrest.
Did someone tell you to pay with gift cards? It’s a scam
Maybe someone said you’ve won the lottery, a prize or sweepstakes.