Scams

Avoiding and Reporting Scams

Scammers Are Impersonating the FTC
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.
Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov

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

The IRS won’t call about your stimulus money

Lisa Lake

August 30, 2022

Most people have already gotten their economic stimulus payments, but the Internal Revenue Service is still sending them out.

Consumer Alert

The FTC Chairman is not writing to you

Karen Hobbs

August 30, 2022

If you saw an email from FTC Chairman Joseph Simons, it wasn’t. From him, that is. Scammers pretending to be him are emailing, though.

Consumer Alert

Free COVID test scam targets people on Medicare

Gema de las Heras

August 23, 2022

Article

What To Know About Romance Scams

August 22, 2022

Romance scammers create fake profiles on dating sites and apps or contact you through popular social media sites like Instagram or Facebook. The scammers strike up a relationship with you to build up trust, sometimes talking or chatting several times a day. Then, they make up a story and ask for money. Learn how to avoid romance scams.

Article

Rental Listing Scams

August 22, 2022

Scammers use rental listings to get you to pay in advance for a place to live or vacation.

Consumer Alert

As prices rise, keep an eye out for scammers

Kira Krown

August 19, 2022

Consumer Alert

Only scammers demand utility payments in cryptocurrency

Gema de las Heras

August 11, 2022

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

Modeling Scams

August 5, 2022

A talent scout says you've got a future in modeling. That's flattering — but sometimes it’s a scam.

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

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