Plain-language guides to the scams that reach people by phone, text, email, and pop-up, with simple steps to protect yourself and the older adults in your life. Each guide explains how the scam works, the warning signs, and what to do if you have already paid or shared information.
If you think you have been targeted, call your bank or card company first, then report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. For identity theft, use IdentityTheft.gov.
Fake Check Scams: Overpayments, Prizes, and Why “Cleared” Isn’t Safe
A buyer overpays and asks for the difference back, or a prize check arrives with fees to pay. Here is how fake check scams work, why money that has cleared can still bounce, and what to do if you deposited one.
Crypto Investment Scams: Wrong-Number Texts to Fake Trading Apps
Many crypto investment scams start with a friendly wrong-number text and end with a fake trading app that shows big gains but charges endless fees to withdraw. Here are the warning signs and what to do if you already sent money.
Home Repair Scams: How to Hire a Contractor Safely
Door-to-door offers, storm repair crews and big upfront payments are classic home repair scams. Here is how to check a contractor, what the FTC’s three-day Cooling-Off Rule covers, and what to do if the work never gets done.
Rental Listing Scams: How to Spot a Fake Rental Before You Pay
Fake apartment and vacation rental listings are often copies of real homes. Here is how to check that a landlord is real, which payments to refuse, and what to do if you already paid.
Fake Government and Bill-Pay Sites: How to Find the Real One
Search ads can lead to lookalike passport, records and bill-pay sites that add fees or take your personal information. Here is how to find the real office or company, and what to do if you already paid a lookalike.
Debt Relief Scams: Upfront Fee Rules, Risks, and Free Help
Callers promising to erase your debt for a fee are often scams. Here is how the upfront fee rule works, the real risks of debt settlement, and the free help from creditors, nonprofit counselors and StudentAid.gov.
Ticket Scams: How to Buy Concert and Event Tickets Safely
Lookalike ticket sites, social media sellers and screenshots sold to several buyers leave fans locked out at the gate. Here is how to buy tickets safely, why to pay by credit card, and what to do if you got fake tickets.
Job Scams: How to Spot a Fake Job Offer Before You Pay
Fake recruiters, task apps, equipment checks and reshipping jobs all end the same way: you pay or hand over personal details for a job that doesn’t exist. Here is how to check an offer and what to do if you were scammed.
Health Insurance and Medicare Enrollment Scams: How to Pick a Plan Safely
Scammers copy HealthCare.gov and Medicare.gov, buy search ads and call with fake offers during open enrollment. Here are the dates, the warning signs, and how to choose a plan safely.
Fake Online Stores and Social Media Shopping Scams: How to Check a Seller Before You Buy
Fake online stores use too-good deals and social media ads to take your money. Here is a five-minute check before you buy, your rights when an order never arrives, and what to do if you already paid.