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          Your right to get information about funeral services by phone
        

January 25, 2024


Alvaro Puig


Whether you’re making funeral arrangements for a loved one in another state, or simply can’t or don’t want to meet with the funeral provider in person to learn about the goods and services they offer, the FTC’s Funeral Rule gives you the right to get accurate information over the phone. FTC investigators recently discovered many violations of the Funeral Rule, including some providers that didn’t give accurate price information over the phone and others that didn’t give out any price information over the phone.
    
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          What to do if you can’t make car payments
        

November 29, 2023


Colleen Tressler


Trouble making car payments? Worried about repossession? Unexpected life events, like a job loss or drop in income, may affect your ability to pay your bills, including car payments. If you’re worried that you won’t be able to make your next car payment, take action as soon as possible. If you get behind on your payments, your lender could repossess your car — sometimes without warning. Read on to learn what to do.
    
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          Job scams targeting college students are getting personal
        

December 27, 2023


Lesley Fair


If you’ll be seeing college-age relatives over the holidays, warn them about a variation on the “job interview” scam that students looking for summer or permanent employment have reported to us.
    
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          Fake shipping notification emails and text messages: What you need to know this holiday season
        

December 14, 2023


Alvaro Puig


When you order something online, you might get several emails or text messages about your order: Confirming your order. Telling you it shipped. Saying it's out for delivery. Notifying you about delivery. Did you know that scammers send fake package shipment and delivery notifications to try to steal people's personal information — not just at the holidays, but all year long? Here's what you need to know to protect yourself from these scams.
    
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          Fake shipping notification emails and text messages: What you need to know this holiday season
        

December 14, 2023


Alvaro Puig


When you order something online, you might get several emails or text messages about your order: Confirming your order. Telling you it shipped. Saying it's out for delivery. Notifying you about delivery. Did you know that scammers send fake package shipment and delivery notifications to try to steal people's personal information — not just at the holidays, but all year long? Here's what you need to know to protect yourself from these scams.
    
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                                                                        Feature PagesVea esta página en español Imposter scams come in many varieties, but work the same way: a scammer pretends to be someone you trust to convince you to send them money. Learn how to spot an imposter scam.
  
    
        The FTC will never demand money, make threats, tell you to transfer money, or promise you a prize. Anyone who does is a scammer. Report impersonators at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Learn more
    Recognize Government Impersonators


Did someone tell you to move or transfer your money? It could be a scam


ImageMany 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.

              
The FTC won’t demand money, threaten you, or promise you a prize


Scammers want to gain your trust. That’s why they keep pretending to work for government agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission. They might use the names of real FTC employees, but the stories they tell are a bunch of lies.
    How To Avoid a Government Impersonator Scam


Scammers pretend to be calling you from government agencies like the Social Security Administration and the IRS. Or say they work for Medicare. They say that if you don’t pay or you refuse to give them your personal information, something bad will happen. Or maybe you’ll miss out on some government benefit. But it’s a scam. Learn the signs and avoid the scam.

              
Government Grant Scams


Offers of free money from government grants are scams. Someone might offer you a grant to pay for education, home repairs, home business expenses, or unpaid bills. But they’re all scams. Here’s how to avoid a government grant scam, and how to report it.


See all government impersonators
    Business and Other Impersonators


How To Spot, Avoid, and Report Tech Support Scams


Tech support scammers want you to pay them to fix a non-existent computer problem. Learn how to avoid and report tech support scams.

              
How to recognize a fake Geek Squad renewal scam


Scammers are at it again, impersonating well-known businesses and trying to rip people off. This time they’re pretending to be from Geek Squad, Best Buy’s tech support service. Here’s what we’re hearing about the scam and what to do if you see it.

              
Fake calls from Apple and Amazon support: What you need to know


Scammers are calling people and using the names of two companies everyone knows, Apple and Amazon, to rip people off. Here’s what you need to know about these calls.
    Scammers Use Fake Emergencies To Steal Your Money


Someone calls or contacts you saying they’re a family member or close friend. They say they need money to get out of trouble. But check that there’s an emergency first because it could be a scammer calling.

              
What to Know About Romance Scams


Scammers strike up a relationship with you to build up trust, sometimes talking or chatting several times a day. Then, they make up a story and ask for money. Learn how to avoid romance scams.

              
Utility Company Impersonators


A call from your gas, electric, or water company threatening to immediately turn off your service is probably a scam. Here’s what you need to know.
    Job scam targeting influencers


Did you get a message from a “brand ambassador manager” for a national company wanting to pay you to promote their products online? It could be a scam...but how will you know?

              
Scammers impersonate delivery service support to rip off drivers and restaurants


We’re hearing about a new scam targeting food delivery drivers and restaurants.

              
Nanny and Caregiver Job Scams


If you’re looking for a job as a babysitter, nanny, or other kind of caregiver, you might have searched online or used a website that matches you up with potential employers. Scammers also use these sites. Learn how to spot these fake jobs and avoid them.


See all business and other impersonators
    Watch


Family Emergency Scams


The first-person story of how one family responded to a family emergency scam: by putting it on the radio.

              
Tech Support Scams


The first-person story about a retired business consultant’s tech support scam experience, what he did about it.

              
Nanny and Caregiver Scams


Caregiver websites can help you find jobs, but scammers also use them to find people to rip off.
    Did you spot an impersonator scam?

Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
    Looking for information for older adults?

Check out ftc.gov/PassItOnReturn to top **
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