Learn about the latest scams, and get advice to help you avoid, report, and recover from them.
Scams and your small business
At the FTC, our mission is to protect consumers, including small business owners. That’s why, when we see scammers taking money from small businesses, we step in.
Work from home business scam sidelined
Would you be tempted by an online business training program that promises you could earn thousands of dollars a month working from home? I wouldn’t blame you if you were.
No gift cards for tech support scammers
Hey computer users, it’s time for a pop quiz.
Winners are losers in lottery & sweepstakes scams
You get a card, call, or email telling you that you won! Maybe it’s a lottery, sweepstakes, or some other prize. The person calling is excited and can’t wait for you to get your winnings.
New alert for Western Union refunds
Did you lose money to a scam, wiring the money via Western Union between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017?
A scam story: Secret shopping and fake checks
Scammers need a good story to get to your wallet. Once they find one that works, they use it again and again.
Publishers Clearing House imposters keep coming
Who wouldn’t love to be that winner you see on TV holding a great big sweepstakes check?
Scammers impersonate the Chinese Consulate
Have you gotten a call from someone saying they’re from a Chinese Consulate office? If so, you’re not alone – based on reports to the FTC and the real Chinese Consulates.
FTC asking for access to your computer? It’s a scam.
Scammers pretending to be with the FTC or with FTC refund administrators are calling, asking for remote access to your computer.
Western Union refunds scam alert
We’ve heard that people are getting official-looking emails about the Western Union settlement. The thing to know is that you cannot apply for a refund by email.
FTC continues to crack down on student loan scams
A lot of us have student loans – and some of us have trouble paying them every month.
Phishers send fake invoices
We’ve recently heard that scammers are recycling an old phishing attempt.
Stopping scams targeting older consumers
The FTC has a long history of protecting people from scams.
The FTC will never ask you to send money
If someone claiming to be with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) contacts you and asks you to send money, it’s a scam. Do not pay.
New easy money con, same old tricks
What would you give for a turnkey system to earn six figures in 90 days or less, all while working from home? That’s what the defendants behind Digital Altitude promised.
Has an online love interest asked you for money?
Looking to start a new relationship? For some, that may mean meeting a new love interest online. Word to the wise: sometimes it’s best to lead with your head and not your heart.
That’s not your neighbor calling
When your phone rings and it looks like a local call, you may be more likely to answer. Scammers count on this and can easily fake caller ID numbers.
Do Not Call registrations don’t expire
Someone pretending to be from the FTC is sending out fake emails telling people that their Do Not Call registration is expiring.