Scams | Consumer Advice

Scams | Consumer Advice
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Scams
Learn about the latest scams, and get advice to help you avoid, report, and recover from them.
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Avoiding and Reporting Scams
Scammers Are Impersonating the FTC
The FTC will never threaten you, say you must transfer your money to “protect it,” or tell you to withdraw cash or buy gold and give it to someone. That’s a scam.
Report it at
ReportFraud.ftc.gov
How To Avoid a Scam
Recognizing these common signs of a scam could help you avoid falling for one.
What To Do If You Were Scammed
Find out steps you can take if you were scammed.
Report Fraud, Scams, and Bad Business Practices
Your report could help the FTC stop the scammers.
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Consumer Alert
Say “no, thanks” to unexpected offers to lower your credit card interest rate
BCP Staff
April 22, 2026
If a company calls you unexpectedly and offers to help lower your credit card interest rate, say “no, thanks.” It’s probably a scammer hoping you’ll pay them for shortcuts that don’t really exist. Here’s how to spot and avoid scams that promise to help lower your credit card interest rate.
Consumer Alert
With people losing big to investment scams, learn how to spot and avoid them
BCP Staff
April 16, 2026
You might be interested in making money through investments. Who isn’t? So offers that promise big returns might draw your attention…and scammers know this. They use those promises and clever schemes to lure you in and, unfortunately, people are losing big money on investment scams. In fact, FTC data shows reports of more than $7.9 billion in losses to investment scams, with a median individual loss of more than $10,000 in 2025. Do you know how to spot and avoid investment scams?
Consumer Alert
That text about a traffic violation is probably a scam
BCP Staff
April 14, 2026
Did you get a text with a picture of what looks like an official notice of a traffic hearing? You’re not alone. The FTC has seen a spike in reports about this text scam in the last month. It’s just the latest story of how scammers are trying to separate people from their money. Here’s how this scam works — and how to avoid it.
Consumer Alert
Got a text about expiring reward points? Look closer
BCP Staff
April 7, 2026
If you’re signed up for a rewards program, you may have gotten texts warning that your points are expiring soon. A message like that may catch your attention, but people are reporting to the FTC that some of those messages aren’t real — and come from scammers. So how can you tell which messages are real and which are phishing scams?
Consumer Alert
Could that mortgage relief offer be a scam?
BCP Staff
April 2, 2026
Life happens and sometimes you end up with trouble paying your mortgage. Maybe you were affected by a natural disaster, lost your job, or got stuck with a bunch of medical bills after an illness. Then, suddenly, you get an unexpected call offering you mortgage relief. But could it be a scam?
Consumer Alert
How to handle unexpected calls about unclaimed funds
BCP Staff
March 30, 2026
Did you get a call or text saying you’re eligible for thousands of dollars in unclaimed property? Don’t get excited yet. It might be a scammer looking to steal your money or personal information. Here’s how to avoid that scam — and find out if a government agency has money, stocks, or another asset that belongs to you.
Consumer Alert
Looking for debt relief? Here’s how to avoid a scam
BCP Staff
March 26, 2026
If you’re dealing with a lot of debt, you might be looking for help. Some companies offer a range of free and paid services, like budget counseling and debt management classes. But others are dishonest and will take your money for the promise of getting rid of your debt — just to leave you even worse off. So, how can you avoid scams while you’re trying to pay off your debt?
Consumer Alert
How scammers are using the Iran conflict to try to steal your money and information
BCP Staff
March 24, 2026
With global attention focused on the conflict in Iran, it’s no surprise scammers have already added that situation to their story lines. Some recent reports to the FTC about imposter, romance, and fake charity scams include an Iran twist. The details change, but the scammer’s goal is always to trick you into paying or sharing your personal information. Here are some examples of these scams — and how to protect yourself.
Consumer Alert
How to make your World Cup experience scam free
BCP Staff
March 17, 2026
Excitement is reaching a fever pitch as the United States, Mexico, and Canada get ready to welcome thousands of fans for one of the most-watched sporting events on the planet — the FIFA World Cup! While die-hard fans are preparing to support their countrymen, scammers are looking to take advantage of the rush for tickets. Learn how to make your World Cup experience scam free.
Consumer Alert
That random call saying “you’ve won a prize” is a scam
BCP Staff
March 10, 2026
If you get a call saying “you’ve won a prize,” you might be thinking, why not claim it? Unfortunately, it’s likely a scam to steal your money — especially if it’s for a contest you didn’t enter. So how can you spot and avoid a prize scam?
Consumer Alert
How to avoid government grant scams that offer free money for personal expenses
BCP Staff
March 5, 2026
Scammers make up all kinds of bogus stories to steal your personal information, or your money. Some go negative and make up a problem that doesn’t really exist. Others try a positive spin and say you won something, like free money made available through a government grant or program. How do you know if these promises are legit—or a scam? Here are five common signs of a fake government grant scam:
Consumer Alert
Got a letter about unemployment benefits you didn’t file? That’s identity theft
BCP Staff
February 17, 2026
Unemployment benefits can be a life saver if you’re between jobs. But what happens if a scammer misuses your personal information, like your Social Security number (SSN) to file a fraudulent unemployment claim? That’s identity theft.
Consumer Alert
How to handle unexpected calls that claim your money is at risk
BCP Staff
January 30, 2026
Your phone rings and what the caller says next sends you into a panic. They claim there’s fraud on your credit card, someone hacked your bank account, you owe a tax debt, or your benefits will end today. Your adrenaline is pumping, and your mind races a hundred miles an hour. They sense this—and they say they can help. Should you trust them? No.
Consumer Alert
No, that’s not your boss asking you to buy gift cards
BCP Staff
January 28, 2026
While the gift-giving holidays are over, scammers still want gift card money. Some scammers might even reach out by pretending to be your boss and asking you to buy gift cards for them. But it’s a scam. Here’s how to spot and avoid it.
Consumer Alert
That text or email about your “tax refund” is a scam
BCP Staff
January 22, 2026
Tax season is approaching, and if you’re getting a refund, scammers are looking to steal it before you’ve had a chance to claim it. So, before you respond to a text or email about a “tax refund” — especially one that asks you to click a link — know that this could be a scam designed to get your personal information and steal your tax refund.
Consumer Alert
Can you spot a fake loan text scam?
BCP Staff
January 20, 2026
You get a text message, supposedly following up on a $10,000 loan application. Only, you never applied for a loan. Is this pure luck or a scam? Before you use the callback number in the message to find out, or even reply “NO” to cancel the application, learn to spot a fake loan text scam.
Consumer Alert
Hang up on unexpected calls saying you owe back taxes. Those are scams
BCP Staff
January 15, 2026
We’re seeing a big wave of reports about phone scams claiming you owe back taxes. But it’s not the IRS calling, it’s a scammer using a company name like “Tax Resolution Oversight Department.” If someone calls you out of the blue offering to help you fix a tax issue, hang up. Here’s how to spot the scam.
Consumer Alert
Traveling to the Olympics in Italy? Here’s how to avoid a scam
BCP Staff
January 9, 2026
With the winter Olympics in Italy fast approaching, athletes around the world are fine-tuning their routines, sharpening their skates, and finalizing their travel itineraries. If you’re planning to go to the Olympics, having a sound game plan is a key to success, just as it is for the competitors. Here’s what to know about travel, ticket, and vacation rental scams before you embark on your journey.
Consumer Alert
Spot the scams when fixing your credit
BCP Staff
January 7, 2026
If there’s information on your credit report that’s correct but not so great, it can make it harder to get credit with good terms. But there are things you can do yourself for free to help fix your credit. Credit repair companies also charge to do the same things. Before you consider paying, though, know the rules these companies have to follow — rules dishonest companies and scammers often break.
Consumer Alert
Looking to fix your credit? An illegal credit repair scam isn’t the answer
BCP Staff
December 29, 2025
Need better credit to do things like get a loan, buy a car, or rent an apartment? There are things you can do, but don’t believe a credit repair company that promises to remove accurate and up-to-date information.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 661
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