Socially distancing from COVID-19 robocall scams

March 30, 2020

Karen Hobbs, Assistant Director, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC

Scammers – and scammy companies – are using illegal robocalls to profit from Coronavirus-related fears. Listen to some of the latest scammy robocall pitches, so you can be on the lookout and know how to respond. (Here’s a hint: hang up!) Illegal robocalls are universally hated, so why do scammers...

Now more than ever, spot the scams with #FTCScamBingo

March 26, 2020

Jennifer Leach, Associate Director, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC

D uring the Coronavirus outbreak, many people are working from home — and maybe even, for the first time in a long time, answering calls from unfamiliar phone numbers. It might be your colleague’s cell phone…or it might be a robocaller or scammer. So here’s a way you can spot some of those scam...

Online security tips for working from home

March 20, 2020

Lisa Weintraub Schifferle, Attorney, FTC, Division of Consumer & Business Education

Teleworking during the Coronavirus outbreak? While working from home can help slow the spread of the virus, it brings new challenges: juggling work while kids are home from school; learning new software and conferencing programs; and managing paper files at home. As you’re getting your work-at-home...

FTC: Coronavirus scams, Part 2

March 19, 2020

Colleen Tressler, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

Last month, we alerted you to Coronavirus scams we were seeing at the time. Earlier this month, we sent warning letters to seven sellers of scam Coronavirus treatments. So far, all of the companies have made big changes to their advertising to remove unsupported claims. But scammers don’t take a...

Checks from the government

March 18, 2020

Jennifer Leach, Associate Director, Division of Consumer & Business Education, FTC

As the Coronavirus takes a growing toll on people’s pocketbooks, there are reports that the government will soon be sending money by check or direct deposit to each of us. The details are still being worked out, but there are a few really important things to know, no matter what this looks like. 1...

Look before they ship

March 11, 2020

Lesley Fair, Attorney, FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection

You’ve spotted a gotta-have-it item online. You’ve looked into the price, product details, and return information. Ready to click the BUY button? Not so fast. If you don’t pay careful attention to a company’s shipping policies, you could miss the boat . That’s a money-saving tip for all consumers,...

FTC: Detox tea claims are hard to swallow

March 09, 2020

Colleen Tressler, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

Looking to improve your health or lose a few pounds? Maybe detox teas promoted by celebrities on social media have caught your eye. Before you pay up and down a cup, listen to what the FTC has to say about one purveyor of such potions. In a settlement announced today , the FTC alleges that Teami,...

What's a money mule scam?

March 06, 2020

Lisa Weintraub Schifferle , Attorney, FTC, Division of Consumer & Business Education

Scammers may try to use you to move stolen money. If you help them, you could be what law enforcement calls a money mule. Money mule scams happen several ways. The story often involves scams related to online dating , work-at-home jobs , or prizes . Scammers send money to you, sometimes by check,...

Is that text message about your FedEx package really a scam?

March 02, 2020

Alvaro Puig, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

You may be skeptical when someone you don’t know sends you a text message you didn’t expect and it tells you to click on a link. Maybe that little voice in your head starts talking to you. I know mine does. It says, “Hmm, this could be a scam. Maybe someone wants to steal my personal information...

It’s not true love if they ask for money

February 12, 2020

Cristina Miranda, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC

It’s almost Valentine’s Day. Lots of us have profiles on online dating sites, apps or social media to find “the one.” But that interesting person who just messaged you could be a sweet - talking romance scammer trying to trick you into sending money. Reports of romance scams are growing, and...

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