Avoiding and Reporting Scams

Help the FTC get money back to people who experience impersonator fraud

February 15, 2022Blog PostTo combat government and business impersonation scams and get money back to people, the FTC is considering changes to the law that would give the agency better tools. Want to help? Submit a comment on the rulemaking and make your voice heard.

Love, not money

February 14, 2022Blog PostChocolates, flowers, and spending time with your special someone are all Valentine’s Day traditions, but what about helping a friend or loved one spot and avoid a romance scam?

Romance scams in 2021: Fraudsters to the left of you, fakers to the right

February 10, 2022Blog PostLove happens year-round, not only on Valentine’s Day. Unfortunately, romance scams are the same. So make Valentine’s Day a time to share with people you care about some ways to spot and avoid romance scams. Because, according to a new FTC report, people sent $547 million to online romance scammers last year.

How to tell if someone is using your identity

February 2, 2022Blog PostTaking steps to protect your personal information can help you minimize the risks of identity theft. But what if a thief gets your information anyway? Here are some of the ways thieves might use your stolen information and signs you can look out for.

Welcome to Identity Theft Awareness Week 2022

January 31, 2022Blog PostToday we’re kicking off Identity Theft Awareness Week 2022. Identity thieves have been busier than ever during the pandemic, with scammers and identity thieves after people’s information to apply for credit, unemployment benefits, file taxes, buy things, or get medical services. But there are some things you can do to protect yourself, and this week, you’ll learn how.

January 27, 2022Blog PostIn 2021, more than 95,000 people told the FTC that they’d been scammed with a con that started on social media. Today’s Data Spotlight gives us insights into how scammers use social media to con people.

New crypto payment scam alert

January 10, 2022Blog PostThere’s a new spin on scammers asking people to pay with cryptocurrency. It involves an impersonator, a QR code, and a trip to a store (directed by a scammer on the phone) to send your money to them through a cryptocurrency ATM.

Common Health Scams

January 6, 2022ArticlePeople spend billions of dollars a year on products and treatments in the hope of improving their health and fitness. But a lot of that money goes to companies that make fake claims about those products and treatments, cheating people out of their money, their time — even their health.

How to avoid buying fake COVID tests online

January 4, 2022Blog PostThe news is filled with images of long lines at in-person COVID testing sites and reports of limited supplies of at-home test kits. It’s not a surprise that, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, fake and unauthorized at-home testing kits are popping up online as opportunistic scammers take advantage of the spike in demand.

Avoiding Scams To Lower Your Credit Card Interest Rate

December 22, 2021ArticleYou’ve probably gotten calls or messages from companies guaranteeing — for a fee — to get you a lower credit card interest rate and promising to save you thousands of dollars. These scammy debt relief companies will tell you just about anything to get your money.

Invention Promotion Scams

December 17, 2021ArticleHere’s what to know to help you avoid a dishonest invention promoters.

’Tis the season for student loan scam calls

December 15, 2021Blog PostIf you have a federal student loan, you probably already know that the Coronavirus emergency relief program that has paused your payments is ending. Repayments will begin again after May 1, 2022. Scammers know it, too, and are looking for ways to take advantage: they’re calling, texting, and e-mailing to try to use any confusion around restarting your student loan payments to steal your money and personal information.

How to spot, stop, and report post-disaster scams

December 13, 2021Blog PostIf you or someone you know has been affected by the devastating series of tornadoes that roared across Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Missouri, coping with the aftermath is never easy. But when scammers target people just trying to recover, it can be even worse. Here are ways to help you and your neighbors avoid common post-disaster scams.

FTC sends third round of refunds to people who lost money to business coaching scam

December 8, 2021Blog PostOne of our favorite things to do at the FTC — whenever possible — is to return money to people who lost it to scammers. That’s what we’re doing today. If you lost money to a business coaching scheme that did business as Coaching Department or Apply Knowledge, among other names, you should be getting a check in the mail soon.

Looking for a new job? Watch out for scams

November 29, 2021Blog PostAs we wrap up National Caregiver Month, the FTC wants to recognize all the incredible work that caregivers like you do every day. The work is seen and unseen and helps people in both physical and emotional ways. We know caregiving can be tough on your finances, too. So if you’re looking for a way to make extra money, searching online can be a good start. But scammers are there, too, and post fake job ads designed to trick you into sharing personal information or sending money in exchange for the promise of a job…that doesn’t exist.

How to spot and avoid common health scams

November 22, 2021Blog PostAs a caregiver for a family member with special health needs, you know that shopping, making meals, or just regularly spending time with someone who can’t get out much can profoundly improve their quality of life. But being a caregiver is stressful, and scammers know that, too. In fact, dishonest companies will say almost anything to get you to buy their product or service.

Before you join that crowdfunding campaign, read this

November 18, 2021Blog PostIf it takes a village to raise a child, crowdfunding may be what it takes to make that invention a reality. But scammers could be behind those crowdfunding efforts and take your money without delivering what they promise.

When scam calls target your client or loved one

November 15, 2021Blog PostCalls from scammers are annoying and can cause a lot of trouble when you realize, too late, that they’re scams. What’s even worse? When they target a client or loved one you’re caring for. So today, as part of National Family Caregivers Month, we’re talking about how to spot and block scam calls.