Scams

Avoiding and Reporting Scams

The FTC will never threaten you, say you must transfer your money to “protect it,” or tell you to withdraw cash or buy gold and give it to someone. That’s a scam.
Learn more

How To Avoid a Scam

Recognizing these common signs of a scam could help you avoid falling for one.

What To Do If You Were Scammed

Find out steps you can take if you were scammed.

Report Fraud, Scams, and Bad Business Practices

Your report could help the FTC stop the scammers.

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Consumer Alert

Contacted about a long-lost relative’s inheritance? Hold on a minute

Joseph Ferrari

August 10, 2022

The FTC has been getting reports of people getting letters in the mail from a law firm. They are, they say, looking for the heir of a multi-million-dollar inheritance. And they think it might be you. (Spoiler alert: it’s not.)

Consumer Alert

Don’t click on that random text. It’s a scam

Gema de las Heras

August 8, 2022

Article

Government Grant Scams

August 6, 2022

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

August 4, 2022

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

Scammers target disaster victims. Spot their traps

Gema de las Heras

August 2, 2022

Article

How To Spot, Avoid, and Report Fake Check Scams

July 29, 2022

Fake checks might look like business or personal checks, cashier’s checks, money orders, or a check delivered electronically.

Consumer Alert

Selling stuff online? Here’s how to avoid a scam

Alvaro Puig

July 27, 2022

Selling stuff online can be a great way to make some extra cash. Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and other sites attract a lot of buyers — and scammers.

Article

What To Do if You Were Scammed

July 26, 2022

Find out what to do if you paid someone you think is a scammer, or if you gave a scammer your personal information or access to your computer or phone.

Article