Consumer Alerts
NEW! Consumer Alerts are available in multiple languages:
Consejos Para Consumidores(de La Comisión Federal de Comercio)
Visit ftc.gov/languages to learn to spot and avoid scams in multiple other languages!
Don't let scammers poach your pension and disability benefits
November 7, 2023 - Applying for VA benefits is free and legitimate assistance is free. Make sure to use VA-accredited agents, Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), or accredited attorneys. Get more valuable information from the Federal Trade Commission.
Scammers are impersonating FTC Inspector General Andrew Katsaros
October 30, 2023 - 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. Don't respond to someone who says they’re from the FTC and demands money, threatens you, or asks for personal or financial information.
Department of Banking: Fraudulent Texts Target Connecticut Banking Customers
October 12, 2023 - The Department of Banking has recently learned of a scam targeting Connecting banking customers claiming they needed to call their bank’s fraud department and attempting to collect user account information. This is a reminder that your financial institution will never call or send you a text requesting your personal financial information.
Pay Your Student Loans - Not Scammers
September 14, 2023 - Scammers might try and tell you they can help you avoid repayment of your student loans, lower your payments, or get your loans forgiven — for a price. Learn how to spot and avoid these scams.
Know Who You're Sending Money to Before Using a Mobile Payment App
August 14, 2023 - If you use payment apps like Venmo, CashApp, or Zelle, make sure you know exactly who you are sending your money to because it can be very hard to get it back.
Asked to wire money? Cut the cord
August 7, 2023 - Never wire money to someone you haven’t met in person, who pressures you to pay immediately, or who says a wire transfer is the only way to pay. Only scammers ask you to do those things.
Agencies Issue Joint Alert Warning Consumers to Avoid Scams Involving Virtual Currency Kiosks or Bitcoin ATMs
May 22, 2023 - Scammers are increasingly stealing money from unwitting consumers using cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, often telling them to use so-called virtual currency kiosks (also known as Bitcoin ATMs). To avoid becoming a victim, do not pay anyone who contacts you and demands payment in cryptocurrency.
FTC Halts Two Student Loan Debt Relief Schemes
May 7, 2023 - You don’t have to pay for help managing your student loans.
What's legit and what's a scam?
February 21, 2023 - Scammers want your money in a hurry, and if they insist you pay by gift card, money transfer, or cryptocurrency it's likely a scam.
Donating to help after earthquakes in Turkey and Syria?
February 10, 2023 - Scammers follow the headlines, and when a disaster occurs they prey on your generosity. When making a charitable donation, make sure your money helps those in need and doesn't end up in the pockets of a scammer.
Credit Card Debt Relief: Get the Facts
November 30, 2022 - Credit card debt can be stressful. There are companies out there that offer to reduce or eliminate your credit card debt for a fee. But this is illegal. Find out your alternatives.
Don't Pay a Fee for Help Recovering Money Lost in Crypto
November 16, 2022 - If you’ve lost money in crypto, scammers might try to convince you they can get your money back... for a fee. This is a scam and your money will be gone.
Did you get an email saying your personal info is for sale on the dark web?
September 26, 2022 - Learn the steps to take to protect yourself from identity theft if you have received an email warning that your sensitive personal information is being sold on the dark web.
Job hunting? Look out for phony job postings
June 23, 2022 - Scammers are using the names of well-known employers to post job openings that don’t exist, in order to trick you into sending them personal information or money upfront to get the job. This alert from the Federal Trade Commission will provide ways to avoid these scams.
Did you use Western Union to pay a scammer?
April 18, 2022 - Refunds are still available to people who were tricked into wiring money to scammers through Western Union between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017. If you didn’t file a claim for a refund yet, you have until July 1, 2022 to file.
Identity Theft Can Happen to Anyone
February 1, 2022 - During Identity Theft Awareness Week, learn steps from the Federal Trade Commission that can help reduce your risk of identity theft.
'Tis the Season for Student Loan Scam Calls
December 15, 2021 - The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reminds us that federal student loan repayments will begin after January 31, 2022. Be on alert for scammers that may call, text, or e-mail to try to use any confusion around restarting your student loan payments to steal your money and personal information.
Federal Trade Commission: Avoiding a Money Mule Scam
December 3, 2021 - Scammers are looking for people to help them move stolen money. They visit online dating, job search, and social media sites, create fake stories, and make up reasons to send you money. Then they tell you to send that money to someone else by using gift cards or wire transfers. But if you do that, you might be acting as what law enforcement calls a money mule.
Department of Banking: Warning to Investment Advisers Regarding Renewal Fee Scam E-mail
April 21, 2021 - The Department has received reports that some investment advisers have received an email impersonating Banking Department Manager Kevin Maher notifying them that their investment adviser renewal fees have increased. If you receive this e-mail, do not click on the link it contains, and delete it immediately.
IRS Warns University Students and Staff of Impersonation Email Scam
March 30, 2021 - The Internal Revenue Service warned of an IRS-impersonation scam that appears to primarily target educational institutions, including students and staff who have ".edu" email addresses. The suspect emails display the IRS logo and use various subject lines such as "Tax Refund Payment" or "Recalculation of your tax refund payment." It asks people to click a link and submit a form to claim their refund.
Connecticut Bank Uncovers Fraudulent Scheme
March 8, 2021 - Savings Bank of Danbury, located in Danbury, CT, has reported that counterfeit bank checks using the bank’s name are being presented for payment.