Learn about the latest scams, and get advice to help you avoid, report, and recover from them.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Phantom debt collectors impersonate law firms
Getting a call from a debt collector can be stressful. But it can be downright frightening when the caller uses lies, profanity and threats to try to get you to pay.
Payments you didn’t authorize could be a scam
Usually, when I pay with a check, I write it out and sign it, or I direct my bank to send it on my behalf.
Signs of a debt relief scam
If you feel smothered by your monthly bills, a call from someone who says they can reduce or eliminate your debts might sound like the answer to your prob
A government program that pays your bills?
Have you heard about a government program that will pay your monthly bills for an up-front payment or processing fee? Here’s a short version of the rest of this post: It’s a scam. Don’t do it.
How to spot a car wrap scam
Have you seen ads promising easy money if you shrink-wrap your car — with ads for brands like Monster Energy, Red Bull, or Pepsi?
Scammers can fake caller ID info
Your phone rings. You recognize the number, but when you pick up, it’s someone else. What’s the deal?
Scammers Impersonate the Police
We know scammers are out there, impersonating the authorities and conjuring up different schemes to fool people into giving them money.
It’s the IRS calling…or is it?
Here at the FTC, we think about scams all day long. What are the scammers’ new angles? How can we keep ahead of them?
Package delivery scam — delivered to your inbox
Expecting packages shipped to your home this holiday season? You’re not the only one… scammers are, too.
These online high schools didn’t make the grade
Looking for a way to get your high school diploma or a college degree online? You’ll want to read this.