Consumer Alerts
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!
Know the risks if you are considering offers to cash out your home equity through a “sale-leaseback"
October 3, 2014 - Offers to cash out your home equity through a "sale-leaseback" are risky. Take your time and read the fine print before signing on to this type of offer.
Got a call about unpaid college tuition? It could be a scam
August 28, 2024 - Imagine getting a call from someone who supposedly works at your school, saying you haven’t paid the bill. But be careful, because you might end up paying a scammer instead of your real tuition and fees.
Five ways to keep scammers and hackers away
August 23, 2024 - Learn to keep your personal information safe from online scammers. In this data age we live in, these tips may help you avoid having your identity stolen.
Learn to spot scammers from legitimate resources when it comes to your federal student loans
August 20, 2024 - Sometimes scammers try to camouflage themselves by making their information look like the real thing. If you have federal student loans, learn to spot legitimate resources from the Department of Education.
Scammers target young adults on social media with fake check scam
July 24, 2024 - Only deposit checks from people you know and trust. If someone you don’t know sends you a check and asks you to send money back to them or to someone else, it’s a scam.
Can you spot an investment scam?
July 15, 2024 - The Federal Trade Commission reports that more people lose money to investment scams than any other type. Be leery of investment offers that claim you'll get big returns or make a lot of money investing in their hot new "opportunity", like cryptocurrency. They will pressure you to act fast before the deal expires. Learn how to spot these scams!
Got a call about fraud activity on your bank account? It could be a scammer.
July 8, 2024 - Did someone supposedly spot fraud or criminal activity or offer to help “protect” your money by moving it from your bank, investment, or retirement account? If anyone did any of those things, it’s always a scam. Here's some suggestions on what to do next.
Federal Trade Commission stops another student loan debt relief scheme
June 28, 2024 - Some student loan debt relief companies will lie and say they’re affiliated with the Department of Education when they’re not. Learn the red flags and avoid these scammers.
What to do if your online love interest offers to teach you how to invest your money
June 10, 2024 - Online scammers establish an emotional connection with you and before you know it, your new friend is talking money. They want to help you invest your money in the crypto markets, or they say they can teach you how to do it. But the reality is they only have their own financial well-being in mind.
Did someone send you to a Bitcoin ATM? It’s a scam.
March 20, 2024 - It should never make sense that someone sends you to a cryptocurrency kiosk, or Bitcoin ATM, to make a payment. A common scam involves a call supposedly from the government telling you that your money is at risk and you have to move it to secure it.
What to know before you click on a “free” computer security scan
March 14, 2024 - Resist the temptation to click on pop-ups or ads for "free" scans to keep your computer safe. Their goal is to trick you into paying to fix computer problems that may not exist.
Sure ways to spot a scammer
March 13, 2024 - Scammers often lie and pretend to be someone they are not. Look for ways to spot a scam.
Never move or transfer your money to “protect it.” That's a scam.
March 5, 2024 - If you receive notification, supposedly from your financial institution or investment professional, that there is suspicious activity on your account and you need to take action to move or transfer it, be suspicious and contact that financial professional yourself.
Romance scammers love to take your money
February 14, 2024 - If your new online sweetheart only wants to talk about your money and how you should invest it, stop talking. They might be a scammer.
Government impersonators mail fake notices to business owners
February 13, 2024 - The Federal Trade Commission has reported that scammers are sending fake forms and letters from made-up agencies to small business owners and demanding payment ASAP. Learn what to do you if this happens to your company.
Identity theft happens in every community. Learn how to get help in your language.
January 29, 2024 - The Federal Trade Commission has made it easier than ever to report identity theft in your preferred language. Learn what identity theft is, how to spot it, what you can do to protect your identity, and where to report it and get help.
Did someone tell you to move or transfer your money? It could be a scam.
January 19, 2024 - Many impersonation schemes start with a call about a routine problem, like suspicious activity in your Amazon account. But in a new twist, the story quickly takes a more serious turn when you’re told someone is using your information to commit crimes and all your money is at risk.
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.