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How To Spot, Avoid, and Report Fake Check Scams

Fake checks might look like business or personal checks, cashier’s checks, money orders, or a check delivered electronically. Here’s what to know about fake check scams. Types of Fake Checks Scams Why
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Refund and Recovery Scams

They’re the worst of the worst: scams that target people who have already lost money to a scam. If you’ve been scammed, you may be targeted by a refund or recovery scam. In these scams, someone says
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Fake Prize, Sweepstakes, and Lottery Scams

You get a call, email, or letter saying you won a sweepstakes, lottery, or prize — like an iPad, a new car, or something else. But you can tell it’s a scam because of what they do next: they ask you
Consumer Alert

Did someone tell you to pay with gift cards? It’s a scam

Traci Armani
Maybe someone said you’ve won the lottery, a prize or sweepstakes. Or they claim to be from the government and tell you there’s a problem with your Social Security number. And, to collect your
Consumer Alert

Anatomy of a fake check scam

Colleen Tressler
Fake checks drive many types of scams – like those involving phony prize wins, fake jobs, mystery shoppers, online classified ad sales, and others. In a fake check scam, a person you don’t know asks
Consumer Alert

Winners are losers in lottery & sweepstakes scams

Colleen Tressler
You get a card, call, or email telling you that you won! Maybe it’s a lottery, sweepstakes, or some other prize. The person calling is excited and can’t wait for you to get your winnings. But here’s
Consumer Alert

Publishers Clearing House imposters keep coming

Emma Fletcher
Who wouldn’t love to be that winner you see on TV holding a great big sweepstakes check? That’s what con artists are counting on when they claim to be Publishers Clearing House. This trick is an oldie
Consumer Alert

Western Union refunds scam alert

Karen Dodge
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. The scam emails we’ve seen ask for
Consumer Alert

Western Union refund alert

Karen Dodge
The deadline to ask for your money back from the FTC’s settlement with Western Union is now May 31, 2018. That’s the settlement refunding people the money that scammers had them pay using Western