Learn about the latest scams, and get advice to help you avoid, report, and recover from them.
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Consumer Alert
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.
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What To Know Before You Wire Money
Scammers pressure you to wire money to them because it’s easy to take your money and disappear. Wiring money with services like MoneyGram, Ria, and Western Union is like sending cash — once you send it, you usually can’t get it back. Never wire money to anyone you haven’t met in person — no matter the reason they give.
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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
Recovering after tornados in Tennessee? Spot the scams
As residents in Tennessee and other southern states begin to assess the damage caused by deadly tornados and severe weather over the weekend, we know the question is not if but when scammers will show up. Whether you’re a homeowner, a tenant, or a business, scammers will try to take advantage while you’re focused on cleaning up and fixing the damage.
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How To Avoid Scams After Weather Emergencies and Natural Disasters
Advice to help you choose a contractor, pay wisely, and handle problems along the way.
Consumer Alert
Scammers hide harmful links in QR codes to steal your information
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
Order and share FREE fotonovelas to help your community avoid scams
Talking about scams is one of the best ways to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community against scammers. You don’t have to be an expert, especially with tools to help get the conversation started.
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High School Diploma Scams
Thinking about getting your high school diploma? Here’s how to tell the difference between legit programs and diploma scams.
Consumer Alert
Military consumers: The FTC wants to hear from you
Recently, the White House announced some initiatives the Administration is undertaking to improve the lives of the military and veteran communities. The FTC participates in several of these efforts, including the VSAFE task force that’s working to help veterans and their families avoid scams and other deceptive practices.
Consumer Alert
In the giving spirit? Here’s how to donate safely on Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday is a terrific time to support your favorite cause or charity. Here’s how to avoid charity scams and make your donations count.
Consumer Alert
Announcing the FTC’s Voice Cloning Challenge
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
Slow your scroll: Spot and avoid social media giveaway scams
You may have heard us say when you’re shopping online, check things out before checkout. The same advice applies to giveaways on social media sites like Facebook and Instagram. Here’s why: One in four people who reported losing money to fraud since 2021 said it started on social media. Scammers make it hard to tell what’s real and what’s fake. Want to avoid scams on your feed? Slow your scroll and keep reading to find out how.
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How To Avoid a Government Impersonation Scam
Scammers pretend to be from government agencies like the FTC, Social Security Administration, and IRS — or say they're calling about your Medicare benefits. Learn the signs and avoid the scam.
Consumer Alert
Searching for a job to work remotely? Avoid scams and identity theft
Found a job listing to telework as a Spanish translator or a data entry clerk with great benefits and pay? Scammers are impersonating real employers on legitimate platforms like ZipRecruiter and Indeed. When you respond, they might even schedule interviews and send you paperwork that looks legit. But it’s all a scam to get your information and steal your money or your identity. Here’s how to know you’re dealing with a scam.
Consumer Alert
New help for spotting, avoiding, and reporting scams in multiple languages
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
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?
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How To Avoid Immigration Scams and Get Real Help
Learn where to go for legitimate immigration help and avoid dealing with a scammer.
Consumer Alert
Scammers are impersonating FTC Inspector General Andrew Katsaros
Scammers are using the names of FTC employees, including the FTC’s Inspector General, to trick people into sending money or giving up their personal information. Here’s what you need to know.
Consumer Alert
This Halloween, don’t get ghosted by scammers
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
Overcharging car buyers based on how they look? That’s illegal
It’s unfair and illegal to increase the amount someone ends up paying to buy or lease a car based on their race or how they look. But that’s how the FTC says a group of three auto dealerships in Rhinelander, Wisconsin allegedly overcharged some of their customers. Read on to learn more about the case — and what you can do to get a fair deal when buying a car.
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