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How To Avoid a Government Impersonation Scam

Scammers pretend to be from government agencies like the FTC, Social Security Administration, and  IRS — or say they're calling about your Medicare benefits. Learn the signs and avoid the scam.
Consumer Alert

Searching for a job to work remotely? Avoid scams and identity theft

Gema de las Heras
Found a job listing to telework as a Spanish translator or a data entry clerk with great benefits and pay? Scammers are impersonating real employers on legitimate platforms like ZipRecruiter and Indeed. When you respond, they might even schedule interviews and send you paperwork that looks legit. But it’s all a scam to get your information and steal your money or your identity. Here’s how to know you’re dealing with a scam.
Consumer Alert

New help for spotting, avoiding, and reporting scams in multiple languages

Larissa Bungo
Scammers speak your language. That's why the FTC now takes reports in multiple languages. To report in Mandarin, Tagalog, Vietnamese, French, Arabic, Korean, Russian, Portuguese, Polish, and many other languages, call the FTC at (877) 382-4357. Press 3 to speak to an interpreter. To report identity theft, call (877) 438-4338 and choose the option for your preferred language. Lines are open between 9am-5pm Eastern.
Consumer Alert

Veterans and scams

Carol Kando-Pineda
As we approach Veterans Day, we thank our veterans for their service and sacrifice. But not everyone has a vet’s best interests in mind. Whether you left the service decades ago or you’re planning your transition to civilian life, scammers will try to get you to send money or share personal information. Scammers also want to get their hands on the valuable benefits you earned through military service. What are some ways to know you’re dealing with a scammer?
Consumer Alert

This Halloween, don’t get ghosted by scammers

Andrew Rayo
Halloween is almost here. What could be scarier than not having your costume ready? How about ordering a costume online and never getting what you paid for? Scammers are making this season extra spooky by pretending to be real companies like Spirit Halloween and Party City. But it’s all a trick. Here’s what to know.
Consumer Alert

Overcharging car buyers based on how they look? That’s illegal

Gema de las Heras
It’s unfair and illegal to increase the amount someone ends up paying to buy or lease a car based on their race or how they look. But that’s how the FTC says a group of three auto dealerships in Rhinelander, Wisconsin allegedly overcharged some of their customers. Read on to learn more about the case — and what you can do to get a fair deal when buying a car.
Consumer Alert

Unmasking sellers of bogus COVID-19 prevention claims

Colleen Tressler, FTC, Division of Consumer and Business Education
​​​​​​​Even though the COVID-19 health emergency is over, many Americans continue to struggle with treatment for illness ― and the FTC will continue go after bad actors who trick people with claims about their products. Case in point: The sellers of The 1 Virus Buster Invisible Mask ― also advertised as The 1 Virus Buster Card ― claim their product gives you an invisible, three-foot barrier of protection against 99.99% of airborne diseases, including COVID-19. Hard to believe? The FTC agrees. Read on to learn more.
Consumer Alert

Safely donating in response to the Israel-Gaza crisis

Larissa Bungo
Following the Israel-Gaza crisis in the news and want to help by donating to a charity? Scammers follow the news, too, and are at the ready. Just like in the wake of a natural disaster, scammers set up fake charities to take advantage of your generosity.
Consumer Alert

Job scam targeting influencers

Larissa Bungo
Did you get a message from a “brand ambassador manager” for a national company wanting to pay you to promote their products online? It could be a scam…but how will you know?
Article

Scammers Use Fake Emergencies To Steal Your Money

Someone calls or contacts you saying they’re a family member or close friend. They say they need money to get out of trouble. Not so fast. Is there really an emergency? Is that really your family or friend calling? It could be a scammer.
Consumer Alert

Children’s Health Insurance Program: Spot the scam

Marissa Hopkins
Finding and keeping health insurance for your family can be stressful and expensive. During the pandemic, your state’s Medicaid Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) might have helped — but with the end of the pandemic, states may be reaching out to update your family Medicaid enrollments. Except scammers might try to get to you first. So how can you spot them?
Consumer Alert

September is National Preparedness Month: Make a plan now

Colleen Tressler, FTC, Division of Consumer and Business Education
Extreme weather and natural disasters can occur with little warning. Communities spared in the past have suffered devastating losses this year, and many are still recovering. National Preparedness Month is a great time to get ready for whatever may come your way.
Consumer Alert

After Atlantic storm Lee, send scammers packing

Gema de las Heras
Atlantic storm Lee brought near-hurricane strength winds and torrential rains to many New England residents — many already affected by wildfires and severe flooding this summer. When you’re doing your best to recover from the destruction caused by back-to-back natural disasters, the words “I can help” may sound like music to your ears. And that’s exactly what scammers count on to try to steal your money or personal information. So how do you weed out the scammers and get real help?
Consumer Alert

What do fraud and bad business practices look like in the Latino community?

Cristina Miranda
Scammers target everyone. But scams and reported bad business practices can play out differently in different communities. Sometimes, scammers set out to target a particular community. Sometimes, they tell a group to pay in specific ways. (Specific ways that make it very hard to get their money back, after they discover the scam.) There are also businesses who harm communities by using tactics that trick people into use their services. So, what do scams and bad business practices look like in the Latino community?
Consumer Alert

Looking for a remote job for a cause you care about? Here’s how to know if it’s a scam

Royal Rose
If you’re looking for a remote job, you might be interested in companies that support a cause. But scammers know that and use your interest to draw you in. If, for example, you’re an LGBTQ+ person or ally, a job that says you can “help LGBTQ+ people in need from the comfort of your own home” might sound great. But what happens if you take that next step?
Consumer Alert

Pay your student loans — not scammers

Ari Lazarus
You’ve probably heard the news — federal student loan repayments are starting again in October. But scammers might try and tell you they can help you avoid repayment, lower your payments, or get your loans forgiven — for a price. Here’s how to spot and avoid these scams.
Consumer Alert

Help spot scammers after Hurricane Idalia

Gema de las Heras
Figuring out the full extent of Hurricane Idalia’s damage could take weeks or even months. But we already know that scammers will follow the path of the storm and try to take advantage of people doing their best to recover. While storms are unpredictable, there are ways to spot the tactics these scammers use — even if they change some of the details — so, read on.
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