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Refund and Recovery Scams

If you’ve been scammed, someone might promise to help you get your money back –– if you pay in advance. That’s another scam.
Consumer Alert

Fake shipping notification emails and text messages: What you need to know this holiday season

Alvaro Puig
When you order something online, you might get several emails or text messages about your order: Confirming your order. Telling you it shipped. Saying it's out for delivery. Notifying you about delivery. Did you know that scammers send fake package shipment and delivery notifications to try to steal people's personal information — not just at the holidays, but all year long? Here's what you need to know to protect yourself from these scams.
Consumer Alert

Scammers hide harmful links in QR codes to steal your information

Alvaro Puig
QR codes seem to be everywhere. You may have scanned one to see the menu at a restaurant or pay for public parking. And you may have used one on your phone to get into a concert or sporting event, or to board a flight. There are countless other ways to use them, which explains their popularity. Unfortunately, scammers hide harmful links in QR codes to steal personal information. Here’s what to know.
Consumer Alert

Announcing the FTC’s Voice Cloning Challenge

Alvaro Puig
Voice cloning technologies can generate a near-perfect voice clone based on a short audio clip or snippet of someone’s voice. The technology has potential to help people—for example, people who've lost their ability to speak, offering them a powerful and valuable means of communication. But, in the wrong hands, voice cloning technologies can do harm.
Consumer Alert

New help for spotting, avoiding, and reporting scams in multiple languages

Larissa Bungo
Scammers speak your language. That's why the FTC now takes reports in multiple languages. To report in Mandarin, Tagalog, Vietnamese, French, Arabic, Korean, Russian, Portuguese, Polish, and many other languages, call the FTC at (877) 382-4357. Press 3 to speak to an interpreter. To report identity theft, call (877) 438-4338 and choose the option for your preferred language. Lines are open between 9am-5pm Eastern.
Consumer Alert

Veterans and scams

Carol Kando-Pineda
As we approach Veterans Day, we thank our veterans for their service and sacrifice. But not everyone has a vet’s best interests in mind. Whether you left the service decades ago or you’re planning your transition to civilian life, scammers will try to get you to send money or share personal information. Scammers also want to get their hands on the valuable benefits you earned through military service. What are some ways to know you’re dealing with a scammer?
Consumer Alert

This Halloween, don’t get ghosted by scammers

Andrew Rayo
Halloween is almost here. What could be scarier than not having your costume ready? How about ordering a costume online and never getting what you paid for? Scammers are making this season extra spooky by pretending to be real companies like Spirit Halloween and Party City. But it’s all a trick. Here’s what to know.
Consumer Alert

Safely donating in response to the Israel-Gaza crisis

Larissa Bungo
Following the Israel-Gaza crisis in the news and want to help by donating to a charity? Scammers follow the news, too, and are at the ready. Just like in the wake of a natural disaster, scammers set up fake charities to take advantage of your generosity.