If someone claiming to be with the Federal Trade Commission contacts you and asks you to send money, it’s a scam. Don’t pay any money. Report it to the FTC.
“We’ve received reports that imposters are calling, emailing, even texting or faxing, and pretending to be with the FTC, in an attempt to gain your trust and to steal your hard-earned money,” said Andrew Johnson, consumer education specialist for the FTC. “They’re contacting people about fake prize winnings, grants, or refunds, or saying you’re in trouble and need to pay delinquent accounts or fees.”
Their goal is to either excite or scare you into sending money, Johnson said.
He wants consumers to know that the FTC doesn’t call, email, text, or fax consumers to ask for payment. Those are scams. An example: The U.S. Department of Justice announced that two scammers who impersonated the FTC, and the SEC, were found guilty of scamming people out of $10 million.
The FTC distributes money to people after suing companies for unlawful practices. However, the FTC won’t ask you to send money or provide bank account information to get your money back. If you’re entitled to a refund from a FTC lawsuit, you will usually receive a check or claim form with details about the case. The case will be listed in the FTC’s chart of recent cases resulting in refunds. You can call the number for the case on the FTC’s website if you have any questions.
Watch out for other scams that rely name familiarity. Scammers will use the names of any people or organizations consumers trust. Be skeptical. If they ask you to pay by wiring them money, getting iTunes cards, or putting money on a MoneyPak, Vanilla Reload, or Reloadit card, it’s a scam. Run.
