Learn about the latest scams, and get advice to help you avoid, report, and recover from them.
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Consumer Alert
When it comes to preparing for hurricanes, financial readiness is as important as a flashlight with fully charged batteries. Leaving your home can be stressful, but knowing that your personal and
Consumer Alert
Scammers are hijacking job ads. Here’s how to spot the fakes
Scammers are taking outdated ads from real employers, changing them, and posting them on employment websites and career-oriented platforms like Indeed or LinkedIn. The modified ads seem to be real job
Consumer Alert
Avoiding scams that target immigrants
When there are big changes that lead to confusion, scammers prosper. Pretty much always. So, as Title 42, the pandemic-era law related to immigration, expired last week, the resulting “what happens
Consumer Alert
Investment scam targeting WeChat groups
A so-called investment opportunity reportedly took the social media platform WeChat by storm — and stole millions from the Chinese community in the U.S. A flurry of social media posts urged people to
Consumer Alert
FTC halts two student loan debt relief schemes
Paying off student loans can feel like a big undertaking, especially since it’ll take most people years to see a zero balance. When debt relief companies call promising quick loan forgiveness, you may
Consumer Alert
Are scams affecting your community?
This month and all year long, we join the nation in honoring the cultures and many contributions of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) individuals and communities
Consumer Alert
Think you owe back taxes? Read this
Tax season might be over, but your tax issues might not be. What happens if you owe back taxes and don’t know how you’re going to pay them? Tax relief companies might say they can help, but often they
Consumer Alert
You got the job!
You got the job! Work from home and earn top dollar. They already sent you a big check to buy supplies. (“Send us whatever is left, probably around $1,000,” they said.) If your alarm bells are
Consumer Alert
Ads for fake AI and other software spread malicious software
There’s a lot of hype around artificial intelligence (AI) these days. And cybercriminals are taking advantage of people’s interest in AI to spread harmful malware through online ads.
Consumer Alert
Are you really the lucky winner? Spot the prize scams
Say you hear or read the words: “You’ve won!” What will you do with your winnings? Who wouldn’t be excited to win a prize, sweepstakes, or lottery? But…did you actually win? And how do you know
Consumer Alert
It’s Financial Literacy Month: Learn how to keep your money safe from scammers
April is Financial Literacy Month, and a great time to take advantage of free advice at ftc.gov/Money Matters. Federal Trade Commission data show people reported losing $8.8 billion to scams in 2022
Consumer Alert
Is it really the IRS?
The “IRS” is on the phone. They’re saying you owe back taxes and need to pay immediately using cryptocurrency, or you’ll be arrested. You reach for your wallet but then think — WAIT — is this really
Consumer Alert
Avoid scammers trying to profit from a deadly tornado
Every time there’s a natural disaster — like the tornado that tore through Mississippi and neighboring states — scammers are quick to follow. How do they exploit tragedy to steal from people who have
Consumer Alert
What to know about auto service contracts and extended warranty scams
You may think buying an auto service contract can help ease the burden of costly repairs. While a service contract might sound like a good idea, it could duplicate coverage you have through your
Consumer Alert
Scammers use AI to enhance their family emergency schemes
You get a call. There's a panicked voice on the line. It's your grandson. He says he's in deep trouble — he wrecked the car and landed in jail. But you can help by sending money. You take a deep
Consumer Alert
Before you believe addiction or cancer claims, read this
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or dealing with a serious disease like cancer, Parkinson’s, or Alzheimer’s, you’ve probably looked for the best treatment out there. But how do
Article
Job Scams
Scammers advertise jobs the same way honest employers do — online (in ads, on job sites, and social media), in newspapers, and sometimes on TV and radio. They promise you a job, but what they want is
Consumer Alert
What to know about the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey
Getting a call, letter, or a visit about the American Community Survey (ACS) — when so many scammers are trying to trick you into sharing personal information — might make you think twice. And it’s
Consumer Alert
doTERRA distributors charged with making unfounded COVID-19 cure claims
Essential oils and supplements to prevent, treat, or cure COVID-19? If it smells fishy to you, the FTC agrees. According to the FTC, three high-level distributors for Utah-based multi-level marketing
Consumer Alert
The top scams of 2022
What are scammers up to these days? Every day, people just like you tell the FTC what they’ve spotted, and maybe even lost money to. Then, every year, the FTC rolls up all those millions of reports