Common Scams and Frauds

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They might&nbsp;get in touch by phone, email, postal mail, text, or social media. Protect your money and your identity. Don&#39;t share&nbsp;personal information like your bank account number, Social Security number, or date&nbsp;of birth. Learn&nbsp;how to recognize and report a COVID vaccine scam&nbsp;and other types of coronavirus scams.&nbsp;</p><h3>Common Coronavirus Scams</h3><p>Scammers change their methods frequently. Current coronavirus scams include:</p><ul><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2021/02/social-media-no-place-covid-19-vaccination-cards">Identity theft when people post a photo of their vaccination card on social media</a> -&nbsp; Don&#39;t post a photo of your vaccination card online. Scammers can see and steal your name, birthdate, and other personal information.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/beware-fraudulent-coronavirus-tests-vaccines-and-treatments">COVID-19 testing, vaccine, and treatment scams</a> - Be aware that&nbsp;<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://oig.hhs.gov/coronavirus/fraud-alert-covid19.asp">scammers are targeting Medicare recipients</a>. They&#39;re&nbsp;offering COVID-19 testing in an attempt to steal personal information.</li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/how-donate-wisely-and-avoid-charity-scams">Charity scams</a> - Fake charities pop up during disasters. And scammers can also claim to be from real charities. Learn how to research charity claims and protect your money.&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/04/want-get-your-coronavirus-relief-check-scammers-do-too">Checks from the government</a> - Scammers say they&rsquo;re from the IRS or another government agency. They&nbsp;ask for your personal information or try to charge you fake fees for getting your stimulus check or offer you a way to get the money early.&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2020/pr20032.html">FDIC and banking</a> - People pretend to call from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or your bank. They&nbsp;say your bank account or your ability to get cash are in danger and ask for your personal information.</li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/04/grandparent-scams-age-coronavirus">Grandparent and military service member scams</a> - A scammer pretends to be a grandchild or a military service member. They say they&#39;re&nbsp;sick or in trouble because of the coronavirus. They contact you asking to wire them money to pay for fake medical or travel expenses.</li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.militaryconsumer.gov/blog/scammers-target-loved-ones-covid-19-victims">COVID-19 funeral assistance scam</a>&nbsp;- Scammers pretend to be from <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance">FEMA&#39;s COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Program</a> and call to offer program registration to&nbsp;family members of people who have died from COVID-19. In this way, the scammers can&nbsp;steal the family members&#39; Social Security numbers and other forms of identification.</li></ul><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.fcc.gov/covid-scams">Learn from the FCC about other types of COVID-19&nbsp;scams and read and listen to sample text and phone messages from scammers.</a></p><h3>Report COVID-19&nbsp;Scams</h3><ul><li><p>Contact the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud">National Center for Disaster Fraud</a>&nbsp;hotline at <a href="tel:8667205721">866-720-5721</a>&nbsp;or email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:disaster@leo.gov">disaster@leo.gov</a>.</p></li><li><p>Report a scam to the FBI at <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://tips.fbi.gov/">tips.fbi.gov</a>.</p></li><li><p>If it&#39;s an online scam, submit your complaint through the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx">Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)</a>.</p></li></ul><h3>Coronavirus Rumors</h3><p>Rumors, myths, and conspiracy theories about the coronavirus can be frightening and misleading. Go to <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus/rumor-control">FEMA&#39;s Rumor Control page</a> to check out the real answers about the rumors you&#39;re hearing.</p><h3>Report Price Gouging</h3><p>During times of high demand, sellers may raise prices to a very high and unfair level on needed items like:</p><ul><li><p>Face masks</p></li><li><p>Hand sanitizer</p></li><li><p>Household or personal care items</p></li></ul><p>This is called price gouging and it&rsquo;s illegal. If you suspect price gouging, report it to your <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-attorney-general">state attorney general</a>.</p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Banking Scams", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "<p>Banking scams involve attempts to access your bank account. Use this information to recognize, report, and protect yourself from them.</p><h3>Popular banking scams</h3><p>The most common banking scams include:</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-spot-avoid-and-report-fake-check-scams">Overpayment scams</a> -&nbsp; Someone sends you a check, instructs you to deposit it in your bank account, and wire part of the money back to them. But the check was&nbsp;fake, so you&rsquo;ll have to pay your bank the amount of the check, plus you&rsquo;ll lose any money you wired.</p></li><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://consumer.georgia.gov/consumer-topics/unsolicited-checks">Unsolicited check fraud</a> - A scammer sends you a check for no reason. If you cash it, you may be authorizing the purchase of items or signing up for a loan you didn&rsquo;t ask for.</p></li><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.helpwithmybank.gov/help-topics/bank-accounts/electronic-transactions/index-electronic-transactions.html">Automatic withdrawals</a> - A scam company sets up automatic withdrawals from your bank account to qualify for a free trial or to collect a prize.</p></li><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams">Phishing</a> - You receive an email message that asks you to verify your bank account or debit card number.</p></li></ul><h3>Report Banking Scams</h3><p>The proper organization to report a banking scam depends on which type of scam you experienced.</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.uspis.gov/report">Report fake checks you receive by mail</a> to the US Postal Inspection Service.</p></li><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://reportfraud.ftc.gov">Report counterfeit checks to the Federal Trade Commission</a>, either online or by phone at <a href="tel:18773824357">1-877-382-4357</a>.</p></li><li><p>Contact your bank to report and stop unauthorized automatic withdrawals from your account.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p></li><li><p>Forward phishing emails to the Federal Trade Commission at <a href="mailto:spam@uce.gov">spam@uce.gov</a>.</p></li></ul><h3>How to Protect Yourself</h3><p>Remember these tips to avoid a banking scam:</p><h4>Do</h4><ul><li><p>Be suspicious if you are told to wire a portion of funds from a check you received back to a company.</p></li><li><p>Be wary of lotteries or free trials that ask for your bank account number.</p></li><li><p>Verify the authenticity of a cashier&rsquo;s check with the bank that it is drawn on before depositing it.</p></li><li><p>When verifying a check or the issuer, use contact information on a bank&rsquo;s website.</p></li></ul><h4>Don&rsquo;t</h4><ul><li><p>Don&rsquo;t trust the appearance of checks or money orders. Scammers can make them look legitimate and official.</p></li><li><p>Don&rsquo;t deposit checks or money orders from strangers or companies you don&rsquo;t have a relationship with.</p></li><li><p>Don&rsquo;t wire money to people or companies you don&rsquo;t know.</p></li><li><p>Don&rsquo;t give your bank account number to someone who calls you, even for verification purposes.</p></li><li><p>Don&rsquo;t click on links in an email to verify your bank account.</p></li><li><p>Don&rsquo;t accept a check that includes an overpayment.</p></li></ul>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Telephone Scams", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "<p>Telephone scammers try to steal your money or personal information. Scams may come through phone calls from real people, robocalls, or text messages. Callers often make false promises, such as opportunities to buy products, invest your money, or receive free product trials. They may also offer you money through free grants and lotteries. Some scammers may call with threats of jail or lawsuits if you don&rsquo;t pay them.</p><h3>Report Telephone Scams</h3><p>It&#39;s important to report phone scams to federal agencies. They can&rsquo;t investigate individual cases. But your report can help them collect evidence for lawsuits against scammers.</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/">Report telephone scams online to the Federal Trade Commission</a>. You can also call <a href="tel:18773824357">1-877-382-4357</a> (TTY: <a href="tel:18666534261">1-866-653-4261</a>). The FTC is the primary government agency that collects scam complaints.&nbsp;</p></li><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.donotcall.gov/">Report all robocalls and unwanted telemarketing calls to the Do Not Call Registry</a>.&nbsp;</p></li><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us">Report caller ID spoofing to the Federal Communications Commission</a>. You can report either online or by phone at <a href="tel:18882255322">1-888-225-5322</a> (TTY: <a href="tel:18888355322">1-888-835-5322</a>).&nbsp;</p></li></ul><p>For more help in resolving consumer issues, you can report scams to your <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-consumer">state consumer protection office</a>.</p><h3>Protect Yourself From Telephone Scams</h3><p>Remember these tips to avoid being a victim of a telephone scam:</p><h4>Do</h4><ul><li><p>Register your phone number with the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.donotcall.gov/">National Do Not Call Registry</a>. You may register online or by calling <a href="tel:18883821222">1-888-382-1222</a> (TTY: <a href="tel:18662904236">1-866-290-4236</a>). If you still receive telemarketing calls after registering, there&rsquo;s a good chance that the calls are scams.&nbsp;</p></li><li><p>Be wary of callers claiming that you&rsquo;ve won a prize or vacation package.&nbsp;</p></li><li><p>Hang up on suspicious phone calls.&nbsp;</p></li><li><p>Be cautious of caller ID. Scammers can change the phone number that shows up on your caller ID screen. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2016/05/scammers-can-fake-caller-id-info">This is called &ldquo;spoofing.&rdquo;</a>&nbsp;</p></li><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.bbb.org/search">Independently research business opportunities, charities, or travel packages that the caller offers</a>.</p></li></ul><h4>Don&rsquo;t</h4><ul><li><p>Don&rsquo;t give in to pressure to take immediate action.&nbsp;</p></li><li><p>Don&rsquo;t say anything if a caller starts the call asking, &ldquo;Can you hear me?&rdquo; This is a common tactic for scammers to record you saying &ldquo;yes.&rdquo; Scammers record your &ldquo;yes&rdquo; response and use it as proof that you agreed to a purchase or credit card charge.&nbsp;</p></li><li><p>Don&rsquo;t provide your credit card number, bank account information, or other personal information to a caller.&nbsp;</p></li><li><p>Don&rsquo;t send money if a caller tells you to wire money or pay with a prepaid debit card.</p></li></ul>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Census-Related Fraud", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "<p>Census scams happen when someone pretends to work for the Census Bureau to steal your personal information. Use this information to learn how these scams work, and protect yourself against them.&nbsp;</p><h3>How Census Related Fraud Works</h3><p>Some scam artists may pretend to be work for the Census Bureau. They&#39;ll try to collect your personal information to use for fraud or to steal your identity. These scam artists may send you letters that seem to come from the U.S. Census Bureau. Others&nbsp;may come to your home to collect information about you.</p><h3>Report Census-Related Fraud</h3><p>If you suspect fraud, report it to the Census Bureau&rsquo;s<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.census.gov/about/regions.html"> regional office</a> for your state. Forward scam emails to the Census Bureau at &nbsp;ois.fraud.reporting@census.gov.</p><h3>How to Protect Yourself</h3><p>Follow these tips to ensure that your personal information stays safe:</p><h4>Do</h4><ul><li><p>Verify that the study is legitimate. Check the survey name on the Census Bureau&#39;s&nbsp;<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/surveyhelp/list-of-surveys.html">list of surveys</a>.</p></li><li><p>If someone comes to your home and claims to be a census worker,&nbsp;<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/surveyhelp/verify-a-survey.html#person">verify that they work for the Census Bureau</a>.</p></li><li><p>Look up the employee&#39;s name in the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/main/email.cgi">Census Bureau staff directory</a>.</p></li><li><p>Ask to see their badge. A Census Bureau badge has a picture of the field agent, a Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date.</p></li><li><p>Follow these&nbsp;<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/surveyhelp/fraudulent-activity-and-scams.html">tips to help you spot census scams</a>, so you don&rsquo;t become a victim.</p></li></ul><h4>Don&rsquo;t</h4><ul><li><p>Don&rsquo;t share your full Social Security number, bank or credit card account numbers, or your mother&rsquo;s maiden name. The Census Bureau won&#39;t ask for this type of information.</p></li><li><p>Don&#39;t trust emails claiming to be from the Census Bureau. This agency uses postal mail to invite individuals to take part in its surveys. If you get an email from the Census Bureau, it&#39;s probably a scam.</p></li><li><p>Don&#39;t trust caller ID. Call the Census Bureau&rsquo;s<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.census.gov/about/npc.Call_from_an_Interviewer.html"> National Processing Center</a> to verify a telephone survey.</p></li></ul>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Government Grant Scams", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "<p>Government grant scammers try to get your money by guaranteeing you a grant for costs like college or home repairs. They ask for your checking account information. With it, they say they will &quot;deposit the grant money into your account&quot; or withdraw a &ldquo;one-time processing fee.&rdquo;</p><p>In reality, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/grants#item-36807">government grants are rarely awarded to individuals</a>. They usually go to state and local governments, universities, and other organizations. The money is awarded to help pay for research and projects that will benefit the public.</p><h3>Report Grant Scams</h3><p>If you think you&rsquo;ve been a victim of a government grant scam, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/?pid=B">report the scam&nbsp;to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)</a>.&nbsp;</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/assistant?pid=B">Online</a>&nbsp;</p></li><li><p>By calling&nbsp;<a href="tel:18773824357">1-877-FTC-HELP</a> (1-877-382-4357)</p></li></ul><p>The FTC enters fraud-related complaints into a database available to law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.</p><p>If you&rsquo;ve paid a fee to learn about or apply for a government grant, you can report it to your <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-consumer">state consumer protection office</a>. The government does not charge for information or applications for federal grants.</p><h3>Protect Yourself From Grant Scams</h3><p>Remember these tips to avoid being a victim of a grant scam:</p><h4>Do</h4><ul><li><p>Be wary of advertisements and calls about free government grants. These are usually scams.</p></li><li><p>Register your phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry. This may reduce the number of telemarketing calls you receive. You can register:</p><ul><li><p>Online at <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.donotcall.gov/register.html">donotcall.gov</a></p></li><li><p>By calling <a href="tel:18773824357">1-888-382-1222</a>&nbsp;(TTY: <a href="tel:18773824357">1-866-290-4236</a>) from the phone number you wish to register</p></li></ul></li></ul><h4>Don&rsquo;t</h4><ul><li><p>Don&rsquo;t give your bank account information to anyone you don&rsquo;t know.</p></li><li><p>Don&rsquo;t pay any money for a government grant. You can get information about government grants for free at public libraries and online at <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.grants.gov/">Grants.gov</a>. Government agencies don&rsquo;t charge processing fees for grants they&rsquo;ve awarded.</p></li><li><p>Don&rsquo;t believe callers who claim they&rsquo;re from an official-sounding government agency with news about a grant. Check out the name of the agency online or in the phone book&mdash;it may be fake.</p></li><li><p>Don&rsquo;t assume a phone call is originating from the area code displayed on your caller ID. Some scam artists use technology to disguise their location and make it appear as if they&rsquo;re calling from Washington, DC.</p></li></ul>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Investment Scams", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "<p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.investor.gov/protect-your-investments/fraud/types-fraud#.VA32ZsVSHPR">Investment scams</a> promise high returns, without financial risk. Use this information to report and protect your investments.</p><h3>Report Investment Scams</h3><p>Report investment scams, if you have been a victim.</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.sec.gov/oiea/Complaint.html">File a complaint about an investment</a> or an investment account with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).</p></li><li><p>Report pyramid or Ponzi schemes to the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://reportfraud.ftc.gov">Federal Trade Commission (FTC)</a>.</p></li><li><p>Report investment scams by state-licensed companies to <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.nasaa.org/contact-your-regulator/">your state&#39;s securities administrator</a>.</p></li></ul><p>The SEC may forward your complaint to the investment company. It will&nbsp;request that the company reply to your complaint. The FTC will not research your individual case of investment fraud.</p><h3>How to Protect Yourself</h3><p>Remember these tips to avoid being a victim of an investment scam:</p><h4>Do</h4><ul><li><p>Research investment opportunities and investment professionals. Your <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.nasaa.org/contact-your-regulator/">state securities regulator</a> and the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.sec.gov/investor/pubs/affinity.htm">Financial Industry Regulatory Authority offer information.</a></p></li><li><p>Learn where the investment and the investment professional have&nbsp;registered. It may be&nbsp;in your state or with other regulators.</p></li><li><p>Get all the details of an investment in writing, but still do your own research.</p></li><li><p>Ask questions about costs, timing, risks, and other issues.</p></li></ul><h4>Don&rsquo;t</h4><ul><li><p>Don&rsquo;t give in to&nbsp;pressure to invest immediately.</p></li><li><p>Don&rsquo;t be influenced by promises that seem too good to be true. These promises may include&nbsp;&ldquo;guaranteed earnings&rdquo; or &ldquo;risk-free&rdquo; investments.</p></li><li><p>Don&rsquo;t invest just because the investment professional seems nice, trustworthy, or has&nbsp;professional titles.</p></li><li><p>Don&rsquo;t invest based on claims&nbsp;that&nbsp;<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.sec.gov/investor/pubs/affinity.htm">other people, &quot;just like you&quot;</a>, have invested.</p></li><li><p>Don&rsquo;t feel obligated to invest, even if the&nbsp;professional gave you a gift, lunch, or reduced their&nbsp;fees.</p></li></ul>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Lottery and Sweepstakes Scams", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "<p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0199-prize-scams">Prize scammers</a> try to get your money or personal information through fake lotteries, sweepstakes, or other contests. Many claim that you&rsquo;ve won a prize but must pay a fee to collect it. Others require you to provide personal information to enter a &ldquo;contest.&rdquo; These scams may reach you by postal mail, email, phone call, robocall, or text message.</p><h3>Report Lottery and Sweepstakes Scams</h3><p>To report a prize scam:</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/">Contact the Federal Trade Commission</a> online or by phone at <a href="tel:18773824357">1-877-382-4357</a>.</p></li><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.uspis.gov/report/">Contact a postal inspector</a> if the scam uses the U.S. mail .</p></li><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.donotcall.gov/report.html">Report robocalls and unwanted telemarketing calls to the Do Not Call Registry</a>.</p></li></ul><p>Federal agencies investigate scams and pursue criminal charges against the scammers. They don&rsquo;t, however, investigate individual cases. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-consumer">State consumer protection offices</a>&nbsp;might pursue individual cases as well as investigate scams.</p><h3>Protect Yourself From Lottery and Sweepstakes Scams</h3><p>Remember these tips to avoid being a victim of a lottery or sweepstakes scam:</p><h4>Do</h4><ul><li><p>Ask yourself if&nbsp;you entered a particular contest. If you didn&rsquo;t enter it, the prize notice is likely a fake.</p></li><li><p>Some scammers use the&nbsp;names of organizations that run real sweepstakes. Research the company&#39;s contact information. Contact them to verify if the prize is legitimate.</p></li><li><p>Register your phone number with the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.donotcall.gov/">National Do Not Call Registry</a>. You may <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.donotcall.gov/register.html#step1">register online</a> or by calling <a href="tel:18883821222">1-888-382-1222</a>. If you still receive telemarketing calls after registering, there&rsquo;s a good chance that the calls are scams.</p></li><li><p>Report <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-report-spam-text-messages">spam text</a> messages to your mobile carrier, then delete them.</p></li><li><p>Hang up on suspicious calls.</p></li></ul><h4>Don&rsquo;t</h4><ul><li><p>Don&rsquo;t pay a fee, taxes, or shipping charges to receive a prize.</p></li><li><p>Don&rsquo;t wire money to, or deposit a check from, any organization claiming to run a sweepstakes or lottery.</p></li><li><p>Don&rsquo;t provide your credit card number or&nbsp;bank account information to receive a prize.</p></li><li><p>Don&rsquo;t believe someone just because they say they&rsquo;re from the government or an official-sounding organization.</p></li><li><p>Don&rsquo;t reply to, or click on any links in, a <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0350-text-message-spam">spam text message</a>.</p></li><li><p>Don&rsquo;t give in to pressure to take immediate action.</p></li><li><p>Don&rsquo;t believe anyone claiming to be from a foreign lottery or sweepstakes. It&rsquo;s <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0086-international-lottery-scams">illegal to enter foreign contests</a> like these.</p></li></ul>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Charity Scams", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "<p>Some scammers set up fake organizations&nbsp;to take advantage of the public&rsquo;s generosity. They especially take advantage of&nbsp;tragedies and&nbsp;disasters.</p><h3>How to Report Charity Scams</h3><ul><li><p>Your <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-consumer">state consumer protection office</a> can accept and investigate consumer complaints.</p></li><li><p>File a complaint with the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/?pid=B">Federal Trade Commission</a> (FTC). The FTC does not resolve individual matters. But it does track charity fraud claims and sues companies on the behalf of consumers.</p></li><li><p>Contact the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/how-report-disaster-related-fraud">National Center for Disaster Fraud</a>,&nbsp;if the&nbsp;fraud is because of a natural disaster.</p></li></ul><p>The <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.donotcall.gov/index.html#who">Do Not Call Registry doesn&rsquo;t apply to charities</a>. But you can ask an organization not to contact you again.</p><h3>How to Protect Yourself From Charity Scams</h3><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://give.org/donor-landing-page/giving-guidance-tips">Follow these tips</a> to detect common <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/before-giving-to-charity#Signs">charity scam tactics</a>:</p><h4>Do</h4><ul><li><p>Check out the charity with your <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-consumer">state consumer protection office</a> or the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.give.org/">Better Business Bureau</a>.</p></li><li><p>Verify the name. Fake charities often choose names that are close to well established charities.&nbsp;</p></li></ul><h4>Don&rsquo;t</h4><ul><li><p>Don&rsquo;t give in to high pressure tactics such as urging you to donate immediately.</p></li><li><p>Don&rsquo;t assume that you can get a tax deduction for donating to an organization. Use the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/">IRS&rsquo;s database of 501(c)3 organizations</a> to find out if it has this status.</p></li><li><p>Don&rsquo;t send cash. Pay with a check or credit card.</p></li></ul>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Pyramid Schemes", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "<p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.investor.gov/introduction-investing/investing-basics/glossary/pyramid-schemes">Pyramid schemes</a> are scams that need a constant flow of new participants to keep them going. They are marketed as <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/multi-level-marketing-businesses-and-pyramid-schemes">multi-level marketing programs</a> or other types of legitimate businesses. They use new recruits&rsquo; &quot;investments&quot; to pay&nbsp;&ldquo;profits&rdquo; to those participating longer.</p><p>Pyramid schemes collapse when they can&#39;t recruit enough new participants&nbsp;to pay earlier investors. These scams always fail&mdash;<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.ftc.gov/public-statements/1998/05/pyramid-schemes#N_3_">it&rsquo;s mathematically guaranteed.</a></p><h3>Report Pyramid Schemes</h3><p>Report pyramid schemes to:</p><ul><li><p>Your <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-consumer">state consumer protection office</a></p></li><li><p>The <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/">Federal Trade Commission</a></p></li></ul><h3>How to Protect Yourself</h3><p>Keep these tips in mind to avoid falling for a pyramid scheme:</p><h4>Do</h4><ul><li><p>Be wary if you have to recruit more participants to increase your profit, or get your investment back.</p></li><li><p>Ask if the company sells non-tangible products and&nbsp;services&nbsp;rather than physical products.</p></li><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.bbb.org/">Check out the business with the Better Business Bureau</a>, your <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.naag.org/naag/attorneys-general/whos-my-ag.php">state attorney general</a>, or state licensing agencies.</p></li><li><p>Ask to see&nbsp;financial statements audited by a certified public accountant (CPA). Find out if&nbsp;the company earns income from selling its products or services to customers, not to its sales team.</p></li><li><p>Be skeptical of success stories and testimonials of fantastic earnings.</p></li></ul><h4>Don&rsquo;t</h4><ul><li><p>Don&rsquo;t invest until you&rsquo;ve verified that the business is legitimate.</p></li><li><p>Don&rsquo;t get involved in businesses that make you&nbsp;recruit new participants.</p></li><li><p>Don&rsquo;t buy into franchises that promise&nbsp;big or quick profits.</p></li><li><p>Don&rsquo;t invest in any &ldquo;opportunity&rdquo; bearing <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.investor.gov/introduction-investing/general-resources/news-alerts/alerts-bulletins/investor-alerts/investor-30">warning signs of a pyramid scheme</a>.</p></li></ul>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Ponzi Schemes", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "<p>A <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.investor.gov/protect-your-investments/fraud/types-fraud/ponzi-scheme">Ponzi scheme</a> is a type of investment fraud. Use this information to identify, report, and protect yourself against this type of scam.&nbsp;</p><h3>How Ponzi Schemes Work</h3><p>Ponzi schemes rely on money from new investors to pay &ldquo;returns&rdquo; to current investors. To keep the scheme going, the scammers must&nbsp;continually&nbsp;recruit new investors and discourage&nbsp;current investors from cashing out. Otherwise, they will not&nbsp;bring in enough cash to pay current investors, and&nbsp;the scheme will collapse.</p><h3>Report Ponzi Schemes</h3><p>Report Ponzi schemes to:</p><ul><li><p>The <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.sec.gov/complaint/select.shtml">Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)</a></p></li><li><p>The <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.finra.org/investors/need-help">Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)</a></p></li><li><p>Your <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-consumer">state&nbsp;securities administrator</a></p></li></ul><h3>How to Protect Yourself From Ponzi Schemes</h3><p>Keep these tips in mind to protect yourself from Ponzi schemes:</p><h4>Do</h4><ul><li><p>Be wary of any investment that regularly pays positive returns regardless of what the overall market is doing.</p></li><li><p>Avoid investments if you do not&nbsp;understand them or cannot get complete information about them.</p></li><li><p>Be alert to account statement errors, which may be a sign of investment fraud.</p></li><li><p>Be suspicious if you do not&nbsp;receive a payment or have difficulty cashing out. &nbsp;</p></li></ul><h4>Do Not</h4><ul><li><p>Do not&nbsp;put your money in investments that promise big returns with little to no risk.</p></li><li><p>Do not&nbsp;contribute to any investment that is not registered with the SEC or with state regulators.</p></li><li><p>Do not get financially involved with any unlicensed investment professional or unregistered firm.</p></li></ul>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Ticket Scams", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "<p>Ticket selling scams happen when a scammer uses tickets as bait to steal your money.&nbsp;The scammer usually sells fake tickets,&nbsp;or you pay for a ticket, but never receive it. They are common when tickets for popular concerts, plays, and sporting events sell out.</p><h3>Ways That Ticket Scammers Go After Your Money</h3><p>Scammers, including individuals and fake resale companies, take advantage of ticket shortages by:</p><ul><li>Charging prices much higher than the face value of a ticket</li><li>Creating counterfeit tickets with forged barcodes and logos of real ticket companies</li><li>Selling duplicates of a legitimate ticket and emailing it to several&nbsp;buyers</li><li>Pretending to sell tickets online to steal your credit card information</li></ul><h3>Report Ticket Scams</h3><p>There are several options to report a ticket scam.</p><ul><li>Contact your <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-consumer">state consumer protection office</a>.</li><li>Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) using the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/">Online Complaint Assistant</a>.</li><li>File a local police report, especially if you met the scammer in person or have a picture of them to give the police.</li><li>Report it&nbsp;using the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker">Better Business Bureau&rsquo;s Scam Tracker</a>.</li><li>If you paid by credit card, report the problem to the card company. You may be able to dispute the charge.</li></ul><h3>How to Protect Yourself</h3><p>Learn what you can do to avoid becoming a victim:</p><h4>Do</h4><ul><li>Buy tickets at the venue box office.</li><li>Buy tickets from authorized brokers and third party sellers, with verified contact information.</li><li>Look for red flags in the ticket offer. If the offer has imperfect English or unusual phrases, the offer&nbsp;could be a scam.&nbsp;</li><li>Verify that the seller has a real physical addresses and phone numbers. Scammers often post fake addresses, PO Box, or no address on their websites.</li><li>Check the actual web address of the resale ticket seller. Some scammers create phony websites that look like real ticket sellers&#39; websites.</li><li>Search online for negative reviews about the seller. Use the seller&rsquo;s name, email address, and phone number, along with the words &ldquo;fraud,&rdquo; &ldquo;scams,&rdquo; and &ldquo;fake tickets&rdquo;.</li><li>Verify the details on the ticket. Check the&nbsp;date and the time printed on the tickets. Make sure the section and seat numbers actually exist at the venue.</li><li>Have the seller meet you in person in a public place for the ticket exchange.</li><li>Ask the seller for proof that they bought the tickets, if you are buying from an individual.</li><li>Use a credit card to pay third party sellers. Your credit card offers protections, if you need to dispute a charge.</li><li>Check for complaints against a ticket seller with your state&rsquo;s <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-consumer">consumer protection agency</a>.</li></ul><h4>Don&rsquo;t</h4><ul><li>Don&rsquo;t wire transfer money to pay for tickets. &nbsp;</li><li>Don&rsquo;t trust sellers who want you to pay with a prepaid money card.</li><li>Don&rsquo;t meet an individual ticket seller alone or in a low-traffic area.</li><li>Don&rsquo;t automatically trust online search results for ticket sellers. Search results can include paid ads, sellers that charge high fees, and scams.</li></ul>" } } ] } </script><script type="text/javascript" src="//web.archive.org/web/20211122142455js_/https://script.crazyegg.com/pages/scripts/0007/9651.js" async="async"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/web/20211122142455js_/https://www.usa.gov/js/accordion-from-content.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> $(document).ready(function(){ accordionify({id: "item-214623"}); accordionify({id: "item-37207"}); accordionify({id: "item-36617"}); accordionify({id: "item-211606"}); accordionify({id: "item-212864"}); accordionify({id: "item-35527"}); accordionify({id: "item-37297"}); accordionify({id: "item-213708"}); accordionify({id: "item-35227"}); accordionify({id: "item-213719"}); accordionify({id: "item-213803"}); }); </script> <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://schema.org", "@type": "SpecialAnnouncement", "name": "Identify and Report Coronavirus Scams and Price Gouging", "text": "<p>Scammers are taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic. 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href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/debt">Dealing with Debt</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/currency">Currency</a> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/housing" href="#">Housing</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/finding-home">Affordable Rental Housing</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/foreclosure">Foreclosure</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/buying-home">Help Buying a Home</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/housing-help-audiences">Housing Help</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/housing-scams">Housing Scams</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/housing-complaints">Housing-Related Complaints</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/mortgages">Mortgages</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/moving">Moving</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/repairing-home">Repairing and Improving a Home</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/post-office">U.S. Postal Service Issues</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/retirement">Retirement</a> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/spend-save-invest" href="#">Spending, Saving and Investing</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/cars">Car Complaints and Motor Vehicle Services</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/donate-to-charity">Donating to Charity</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/mortgages">Mortgages</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/retirement">Retirement</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/taxes" href="#">Taxes</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/covid-stimulus-checks">Advance Child Tax Credit and Economic Impact Payments - Stimulus Checks</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/filing-taxes-topics">Filing Your Taxes</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/irs-scams">IRS Scams</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/resolve-tax-disputes">Resolve Tax Disputes</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/business-taxes">Small Business Taxes</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-taxes">State and Local Taxes</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/check-tax-status">Tax Return Status</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/check-tax-withholding">Tax Withholding</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/unclaimed-money">Unclaimed Money from the Government</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/recalls">Recalled Products</a> </li> <li class="open expanded"> <a aria-describedby="sr-expanded" data-href="/scams-and-frauds" href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/scams-and-frauds" data-critical-path="true">Scams and Frauds</a> <ul> <li class="expanded"> <a href="#content" aria-describedby="sr-current-page" data-current-page="true">Common Scams and Frauds</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/housing-scams">Housing Scams</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/identity-theft">Identity Theft</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/irs-scams">IRS Scams</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/online-safety">Online Safety</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/privacy">Privacy</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/stop-scams-frauds">Report Scams and Frauds</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-consumer">State Consumer Protection Offices</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/telemarketing">Telemarketing and Unwanted Mail</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/coronavirus" href="#">COVID-19</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/covid-stimulus-checks">Advance Child Tax Credit and Economic Impact Payments - Stimulus Checks</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/covid-vaccine-and-testing">COVID-19 Health Information, Vaccines, and Testing</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/covid-small-business-loans">COVID-19 Small Business Loans and Assistance</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/covid-unemployment-benefits">COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/covid-financial-help-from-the-government">Financial Assistance for Food, Housing, and Bills</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/federal-covid-response">Government Response to Coronavirus, COVID-19</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/covid-passports-and-travel">Passports and Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/covid-scams">Scams Related to COVID-19</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/disability-services" href="#">Disability Services</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/disability-benefits-insurance">Benefits and Insurance</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/disability-caregiver">Caregiver Support</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/disability-financial-support">Financial Assistance and Support Services</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/disability-programs">Government and Local Disability Programs</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/disability-jobs-education">Jobs and Education</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/disability-veterans-benefits">Veterans Disability Benefits</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/disability-rights">Your Legal Disability Rights</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/disasters-and-emergencies" href="#">Disasters and Emergencies</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/after-disaster">After a Disaster</a> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/disaster-financial-help" href="#">Disaster Financial Assistance</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/disaster-help-workers-businesses">Disaster Financial Assistance for Workers and Small Business Owners</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/disaster-help-food-housing-bills">Disaster Financial Assistance with Food, Housing, and Bills</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/disaster-area-help">Financial Assistance Within Designated Natural Disaster Areas</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/help-disaster-survivors">Help Survivors of a Disaster</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-emergency-management">State Emergency Management Agencies</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/education" href="#">Education</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/higher-education">College and Higher Education</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/financial-aid">Financial Aid for Students</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/study-in-US">Learn English and Attend College in the U.S.</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/libraries">Libraries and Archives</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/student-loans">Manage and Repay Student Loans</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/agencies" href="#">Government Agencies and Elected Officials</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/federal-agencies">A-Z Index of U.S. Government Agencies</a> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/about-the-us" href="#">About the U.S.</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/flag">American Flag</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/branches-of-government">Branches of the U.S. Government</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/budget">Budget of the U.S. Government</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/statistics">Data and Statistics About the U.S.</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/history">History and Historical Documents</a> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/laws" href="#">Laws and Legal Issues</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/complaints">Complaints</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/crime-prison">Crime and Prisons</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/laws-and-regs">Federal Laws and Regulations</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/labor-laws">Labor Laws and Issues</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/family">Personal Legal Issues, Documents, and Family History</a> </li> <li class="expanded"> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/scams-and-frauds">Scams and Frauds</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/government-works">U.S. Government Works</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/voting-laws-history">Voting and Election Laws and History</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/disability-rights">Your Legal Disability Rights</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/life-in-the-us">Learn About Life in the U.S.</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/presidents">Presidents, Vice Presidents, and First Ladies</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/branches-of-government">Branches of the U.S. Government</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/budget">Budget of the U.S. Government</a> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/buy-from-government" href="#">Buying from the U.S. Government</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/auctions-and-sales">Auctions and Sales</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-surplus-sales">Surplus Sales by State</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials">Contact Elected Officials</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/forms">Forms, by Agency</a> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/state-tribal-governments" href="#">State, Local, and Tribal Governments</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials">Contact Elected Officials</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-governor">Governors</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/tribes">Indian Tribes and Resources for Native Americans</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/local-governments">Local Governments</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-attorney-general">State Attorneys General</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-consumer">State Consumer Protection Offices</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-emergency-management">State Emergency Management Agencies</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/states-and-territories">State Governments</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-health">State Health Departments</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-courts">State, County, and Municipal Courts</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-travel-and-tourism">Travel and Tourism Information, by State</a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/health" href="#">Health</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/doctors">Doctors and Medical Facilities</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/health-resources">Health Information from the Government</a> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/health-insurance" href="#">Health Insurance</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/finding-health-insurance">Finding Health Insurance</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/medicaid">Medicaid and CHIP</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/medicare">Medicare</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/paying-for-medical">Paying for Medical Care</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/medicine">Medications</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/mental-health-substance-abuse">Mental Health and Substance Abuse</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-health">State Health Departments</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/vaccinations">Vaccines and Immunizations</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/housing" href="#">Housing</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/finding-home">Affordable Rental Housing</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/foreclosure">Foreclosure</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/buying-home">Help Buying a Home</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/housing-help-audiences">Housing Help</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/housing-scams">Housing Scams</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/housing-complaints">Housing-Related Complaints</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/mortgages">Mortgages</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/moving">Moving</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/repairing-home">Repairing and Improving a Home</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/post-office">U.S. Postal Service Issues</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/jobs-and-unemployment" href="#">Jobs and Unemployment</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/labor-laws">Labor Laws and Issues</a> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/job-search" href="#">Looking for a New Job</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/government-jobs">Find a Federal Government Job</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/find-a-job">Find a Job</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/retirement">Retirement</a> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/business" href="#">Small Business</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/business-search">Business Keyword Search</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/funding-options">Finance Your Business</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/import-export">Importing and Exporting</a> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/government-contracting-for-beginners" href="#">Introduction to Government Contracting</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/expand-business">Get Help with Government Contracting</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/find-government-contracts">The Contract Opportunities Search Tool on beta.SAM.gov</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/business-taxes">Small Business Taxes</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/start-business">Start Your Own Business</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-business">State Business Resources</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/federal-employees" href="#">U.S. Government Employees</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/government-jobs">Find a Federal Government Job</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/benefits-for-federal-employees">Pay and Benefits for Federal Employees</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/safer-federal-workforce">Protecting the Federal Workforce from COVID-19</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/unemployment">Unemployment Help</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="has-open-item"> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/laws" href="#">Laws and Legal Issues</a> <ul> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/complaints" href="#">Complaints</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/complaint-against-government">Complaints Against the Government</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/consumer-complaints">Consumer Complaints</a> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/complaints-by-product" href="#">Consumer Complaints by Product Type</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/complaints-lender">Banks and Lender Complaints</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/car-complaints">Car Complaints</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/housing-complaints">Housing-Related Complaints</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/phone-tv-complaints">Phone and TV Complaints</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/travel-complaint">Travel Complaints</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/post-office">U.S. Postal Service Issues</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/complaint-letter">Sample Complaint Letter</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/crime-prison" href="#">Crime and Prisons</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/crimes-against-children">Crimes Involving Children</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/prisons">Prisons and Prisoners</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/report-crime">Reporting Crime</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/corrections">State Corrections Departments</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/laws-and-regs" href="#">Federal Laws and Regulations</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/branches-of-government">Branches of the U.S. Government</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/laws-and-regulations">Commonly Requested U.S. Laws and Regulations</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/how-laws-are-made">How Laws Are Made and How to Research Them</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/pollution">Pollution Issues</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/labor-laws">Labor Laws and Issues</a> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/family" href="#">Personal Legal Issues, Documents, and Family History</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/child-care">Child Support</a> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/complaints" href="#">Complaints</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/complaint-against-government">Complaints Against the Government</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/consumer-complaints">Consumer Complaints</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/complaints-by-product">Consumer Complaints by Product Type</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/complaint-letter">Sample Complaint Letter</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/family-legal">Family Legal Issues</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/genealogy">Genealogy and Family History</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/legal-aid">Lawyers and Legal Advice</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/replace-vital-documents">Replace Your Vital Records</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="open expanded"> <a aria-describedby="sr-expanded" data-href="/scams-and-frauds" href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/scams-and-frauds">Scams and Frauds</a> <ul> <li class="expanded"> <a href="#content" aria-describedby="sr-current-page" data-current-page="true">Common Scams and Frauds</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/housing-scams">Housing Scams</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/identity-theft">Identity Theft</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/irs-scams">IRS Scams</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/online-safety">Online Safety</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/privacy">Privacy</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/stop-scams-frauds">Report Scams and Frauds</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/government-works">U.S. Government Works</a> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/voting-laws-history" href="#">Voting and Election Laws and History</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/election-results">Historical Election Results</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/voter-id">Voter ID Requirements</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/voting-laws">Voting and Election Laws</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/who-can-vote">Who Can and Can鈥檛 Vote in U.S. Elections</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/disability-rights">Your Legal Disability Rights</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/military-and-veterans" href="#">Military and Veterans</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/join-military">Join the Military</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/military-personnel-and-installations">Locate Military Members, Units, and Facilities</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/education-military-veterans">Military and Veterans Education Benefits</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/military-pay">Military Pay and Pensions</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/military-assistance">Military Programs and Benefits</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/military-records">Military Records and Identification</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/selective-service">Selective Service (the Draft)</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/veteran-burial-benefits">Veterans Burial and Survivor Benefits</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/veteran-health">Veterans Health Benefits and Issues</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/veteran-housing">Veterans Housing Help</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/veteran-employment">Veterans Jobs and Training</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="has-open-item"> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/money" href="#">Money and Taxes</a> <ul> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/benefits-grants-loans" href="#">Benefits, Grants, Loans</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/finding-home">Affordable Rental Housing</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/benefits">Benefits</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/financial-aid">Financial Aid for Students</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/food-help">Food Assistance</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/grants">Grants and Loans</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/help-with-bills">Help with Bills</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/military-assistance">Military Programs and Benefits</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/retirement">Retirement</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/about-social-security">Social Security Questions</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-social-services">State Social Service Agencies</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/unemployment">Unemployment Help</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="open has-open-item"> <a aria-describedby="sr-previous" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/consumer" href="#">Consumer Issues</a> <ul> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/complaints" href="#">Complaints</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/complaint-against-government">Complaints Against the Government</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/consumer-complaints">Consumer Complaints</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/complaints-by-product">Consumer Complaints by Product Type</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/complaint-letter">Sample Complaint Letter</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/recalls">Recalled Products</a> </li> <li class="open expanded"> <a aria-describedby="sr-expanded" data-href="/scams-and-frauds" href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/scams-and-frauds">Scams and Frauds</a> <ul> <li class="expanded"> <a href="#content" aria-describedby="sr-current-page" data-current-page="true">Common Scams and Frauds</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/housing-scams">Housing Scams</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/identity-theft">Identity Theft</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/irs-scams">IRS Scams</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/online-safety">Online Safety</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/privacy">Privacy</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/stop-scams-frauds">Report Scams and Frauds</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-consumer">State Consumer Protection Offices</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/telemarketing">Telemarketing and Unwanted Mail</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/credit-and-debt" href="#">Credit and Debt</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/credit">Credit Issues</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/credit-reports">Credit Reports and Scores</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/debt">Dealing with Debt</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/currency">Currency</a> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/housing" href="#">Housing</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/finding-home">Affordable Rental Housing</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/foreclosure">Foreclosure</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/buying-home">Help Buying a Home</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/housing-help-audiences">Housing Help</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/housing-scams">Housing Scams</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/housing-complaints">Housing-Related Complaints</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/mortgages">Mortgages</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/moving">Moving</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/repairing-home">Repairing and Improving a Home</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/post-office">U.S. Postal Service Issues</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/retirement">Retirement</a> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/spend-save-invest" href="#">Spending, Saving and Investing</a> <ul> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/cars" href="#">Car Complaints and Motor Vehicle Services</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/car-complaints">Car Complaints</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/motor-vehicle-services">Motor Vehicle Services</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/donate-to-charity">Donating to Charity</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/mortgages">Mortgages</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/retirement">Retirement</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/taxes" href="#">Taxes</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/covid-stimulus-checks">Advance Child Tax Credit and Economic Impact Payments - Stimulus Checks</a> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/filing-taxes-topics" href="#">Filing Your Taxes</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/who-needs-to-file-taxes">Do You Need to File a Tax Return?</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/help-with-taxes">Get Help with Your Taxes</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/get-tax-forms">Get Your Tax Forms</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/file-taxes">How to File Your Federal Taxes</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/business-taxes">Small Business Taxes</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-taxes">State and Local Taxes</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/tax-benefits">Tax Credits and Deductions</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/irs-scams">IRS Scams</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/resolve-tax-disputes">Resolve Tax Disputes</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/business-taxes">Small Business Taxes</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-taxes">State and Local Taxes</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/check-tax-status">Tax Return Status</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/check-tax-withholding">Tax Withholding</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/unclaimed-money">Unclaimed Money from the Government</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/business" href="#">Small Business</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/business-search">Business Keyword Search</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/funding-options">Finance Your Business</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/import-export">Importing and Exporting</a> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/government-contracting-for-beginners" href="#">Introduction to Government Contracting</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/expand-business">Get Help with Government Contracting</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/find-government-contracts">The Contract Opportunities Search Tool on beta.SAM.gov</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/business-taxes">Small Business Taxes</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/start-business">Start Your Own Business</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-business">State Business Resources</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/travel-and-immigration" href="#">Travel and Immigration</a> <ul> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/immigration-and-citizenship" href="#">Immigration and Citizenship</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/deportation">Deportation</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/green-cards">Green Cards and Permanent Residence in the U.S.</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/become-us-citizen">How to Apply for U.S. Citizenship</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/enter-us">How to Enter the U.S.</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/renounce-lose-citizenship">Renounce or Lose Your U.S. Citizenship</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/travel-abroad" href="#">Passports and International Travel</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/passport">Getting or Renewing a U.S. Passport</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/americans-abroad">International Travel Issues</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/family-outside-us">Issues with Family Outside the U.S.</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/covid-passports-and-travel">Passports and Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/travel-complaint">Travel Complaints</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/passport-problems">U.S. Passport Fees, Facilities or Problems</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/recreation-and-travel" href="#">Recreation and Travel within the U.S.</a> <ul> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/cars" href="#">Car Complaints and Motor Vehicle Services</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/car-complaints">Car Complaints</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/motor-vehicle-services">Motor Vehicle Services</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/recreation">Recreational Areas and Activities</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-travel-and-tourism">Travel and Tourism Information, by State</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/plane-travel">Travel by Plane</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/travel-complaint">Travel Complaints</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/visas-and-visitors" href="#">Visas and Visiting the U.S.</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/visas">Apply for Nonimmigrant Visas to the U.S.</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/visitors-driving">Foreign Nationals Driving in the U.S.</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/study-in-US">Learn English and Attend College in the U.S.</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/visa-problems">Visa Status, Renewals, or Problems</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/visitors">Visitors Living in the U.S.</a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/voting" href="#">Voting and Elections</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/midterm-state-and-local-elections">Congressional, State, and Local Elections</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/voter-research">Decide Who to Vote For</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/election-office">Find My State or Local Election Office Website</a> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/how-to-vote" href="#">How, Where, and When to Vote</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/absentee-voting">Absentee and Early Voting</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/voting-political-party">Do You Have to Vote for the Party You're Registered With?</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/election-day">Voting on Election Day</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/who-can-vote">Who Can and Can鈥檛 Vote in U.S. Elections</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/inauguration">Inauguration of the President of the United States</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/election">Presidential Election Process</a> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/voter-registration" href="#">Voter Registration</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/change-voter-registration">Change Your Voter Registration</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/confirm-voter-registration">Confirm You're Registered to Vote</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/voter-registration-card">How to Get a Voter Registration Card</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/register-to-vote">How to Register to Vote</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class=""> <a aria-describedby="sr-next" aria-expanded="false" data-href="/voting-laws-history" href="#">Voting and Election Laws and History</a> 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clearfix"><nav aria-label="Scams and Frauds - leftnav" class="col-md-3 leftnav"> <div aria-label="Common Scams and Frauds"> <div class="shade"> <header> <h2> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/scams-and-frauds" class="url"> <span>Scams and Frauds</span> </a> </h2> </header> <ul> <li class="slctd"> <a> <span>Common Scams and Frauds</span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/housing-scams" class="url"> <span>Housing Scams</span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/identity-theft" class="url"> <span>Identity Theft</span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/irs-scams" class="url"> <span>IRS Scams</span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/online-safety" class="url"> <span>Online Safety</span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/privacy" class="url"> <span>Privacy</span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/stop-scams-frauds" class="url"> <span>Report Scams and Frauds</span> </a> </li></ul> </div> </div> </nav>  <div class="col-md-9 col-sm-12 rightnav"> <header> <h1 id="page-title">Common Scams and Frauds</h1> <p>Find information on common scams and frauds that can happen to you.</p> </header> <div class="wotp"> <header> <h2>On This Page</h2> </header> <div class="clearfix"> <ul> <li> <a href="#item-214623" onclick="document.getElementById('item-214623').focus();">COVID-19 Scams, Rumors, and Price Gouging </a> </li> <li> <a href="#item-36617" onclick="document.getElementById('item-36617').focus();">Banking Scams </a> </li> <li> <a href="#item-37207" onclick="document.getElementById('item-37207').focus();">Telephone Scams </a> </li> <li> <a href="#item-35227" onclick="document.getElementById('item-35227').focus();">Census-Related Fraud </a> </li> <li> <a href="#item-213803" onclick="document.getElementById('item-213803').focus();">Government Grant Scams </a> </li> <li> <a href="#item-213708" onclick="document.getElementById('item-213708').focus();">Investment Scams </a> </li> <li> <a href="#item-35527" onclick="document.getElementById('item-35527').focus();">Lottery and Sweepstakes Scams </a> </li> <li> <a href="#item-211606" onclick="document.getElementById('item-211606').focus();">Charity Scams </a> </li> <li> <a href="#item-37297" onclick="document.getElementById('item-37297').focus();">Pyramid Schemes </a> </li> <li> <a href="#item-213719" onclick="document.getElementById('item-213719').focus();">Ponzi Schemes </a> </li> <li> <a href="#item-212864" onclick="document.getElementById('item-212864').focus();">Ticket Scams </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <article role="complementary" aria-labelledby="item-214623"> <header> <h2 id="item-214623">COVID-19 Scams, Rumors, and Price Gouging</h2> </header><p>During the COVID-19 pandemic, scammers may try to take advantage of you. They might get in touch by phone, email, postal mail, text, or social media. Protect your money and your identity. Don't share personal information like your bank account number, Social Security number, or date of birth. Learn how to recognize and report a COVID vaccine scam and other types of coronavirus scams. </p><h3>Common Coronavirus Scams</h3><p>Scammers change their methods frequently. Current coronavirus scams include:</p><ul><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2021/02/social-media-no-place-covid-19-vaccination-cards">Identity theft when people post a photo of their vaccination card on social media</a> -  Don't post a photo of your vaccination card online. Scammers can see and steal your name, birthdate, and other personal information.  </li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/beware-fraudulent-coronavirus-tests-vaccines-and-treatments">COVID-19 testing, vaccine, and treatment scams</a> - Be aware that <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://oig.hhs.gov/coronavirus/fraud-alert-covid19.asp">scammers are targeting Medicare recipients</a>. They're offering COVID-19 testing in an attempt to steal personal information.</li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/how-donate-wisely-and-avoid-charity-scams">Charity scams</a> - Fake charities pop up during disasters. And scammers can also claim to be from real charities. Learn how to research charity claims and protect your money. </li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/04/want-get-your-coronavirus-relief-check-scammers-do-too">Checks from the government</a> - Scammers say they’re from the IRS or another government agency. They ask for your personal information or try to charge you fake fees for getting your stimulus check or offer you a way to get the money early. </li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2020/pr20032.html">FDIC and banking</a> - People pretend to call from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or your bank. They say your bank account or your ability to get cash are in danger and ask for your personal information.</li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/04/grandparent-scams-age-coronavirus">Grandparent and military service member scams</a> - A scammer pretends to be a grandchild or a military service member. They say they're sick or in trouble because of the coronavirus. They contact you asking to wire them money to pay for fake medical or travel expenses.</li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.militaryconsumer.gov/blog/scammers-target-loved-ones-covid-19-victims">COVID-19 funeral assistance scam</a> - Scammers pretend to be from <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance">FEMA's COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Program</a> and call to offer program registration to family members of people who have died from COVID-19. In this way, the scammers can steal the family members' Social Security numbers and other forms of identification.</li></ul><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.fcc.gov/covid-scams">Learn from the FCC about other types of COVID-19 scams and read and listen to sample text and phone messages from scammers.</a></p><h3>Report COVID-19 Scams</h3><ul><li><p>Contact the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud">National Center for Disaster Fraud</a> hotline at <a href="tel:8667205721">866-720-5721</a> or email <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/mailto:disaster@leo.gov">disaster@leo.gov</a>.</p></li><li><p>Report a scam to the FBI at <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://tips.fbi.gov/">tips.fbi.gov</a>.</p></li><li><p>If it's an online scam, submit your complaint through the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx">Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)</a>.</p></li></ul><h3>Coronavirus Rumors</h3><p>Rumors, myths, and conspiracy theories about the coronavirus can be frightening and misleading. Go to <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus/rumor-control">FEMA's Rumor Control page</a> to check out the real answers about the rumors you're hearing.</p><h3>Report Price Gouging</h3><p>During times of high demand, sellers may raise prices to a very high and unfair level on needed items like:</p><ul><li><p>Face masks</p></li><li><p>Hand sanitizer</p></li><li><p>Household or personal care items</p></li></ul><p>This is called price gouging and it’s illegal. If you suspect price gouging, report it to your <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-attorney-general">state attorney general</a>.</p> </article> <article role="complementary" aria-labelledby="item-36617"> <header> <h2 id="item-36617">Banking Scams</h2> </header><p>Banking scams involve attempts to access your bank account. Use this information to recognize, report, and protect yourself from them.</p><h3>Popular banking scams</h3><p>The most common banking scams include:</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-spot-avoid-and-report-fake-check-scams">Overpayment scams</a> -  Someone sends you a check, instructs you to deposit it in your bank account, and wire part of the money back to them. But the check was fake, so you’ll have to pay your bank the amount of the check, plus you’ll lose any money you wired.</p></li><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://consumer.georgia.gov/consumer-topics/unsolicited-checks">Unsolicited check fraud</a> - A scammer sends you a check for no reason. If you cash it, you may be authorizing the purchase of items or signing up for a loan you didn’t ask for.</p></li><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.helpwithmybank.gov/help-topics/bank-accounts/electronic-transactions/index-electronic-transactions.html">Automatic withdrawals</a> - A scam company sets up automatic withdrawals from your bank account to qualify for a free trial or to collect a prize.</p></li><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams">Phishing</a> - You receive an email message that asks you to verify your bank account or debit card number.</p></li></ul><h3>Report Banking Scams</h3><p>The proper organization to report a banking scam depends on which type of scam you experienced.</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.uspis.gov/report">Report fake checks you receive by mail</a> to the US Postal Inspection Service.</p></li><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/">Report counterfeit checks to the Federal Trade Commission</a>, either online or by phone at <a href="tel:18773824357">1-877-382-4357</a>.</p></li><li><p>Contact your bank to report and stop unauthorized automatic withdrawals from your account.  </p></li><li><p>Forward phishing emails to the Federal Trade Commission at <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/mailto:spam@uce.gov">spam@uce.gov</a>.</p></li></ul><h3>How to Protect Yourself</h3><p>Remember these tips to avoid a banking scam:</p><h4>Do</h4><ul><li><p>Be suspicious if you are told to wire a portion of funds from a check you received back to a company.</p></li><li><p>Be wary of lotteries or free trials that ask for your bank account number.</p></li><li><p>Verify the authenticity of a cashier’s check with the bank that it is drawn on before depositing it.</p></li><li><p>When verifying a check or the issuer, use contact information on a bank’s website.</p></li></ul><h4>Don’t</h4><ul><li><p>Don’t trust the appearance of checks or money orders. Scammers can make them look legitimate and official.</p></li><li><p>Don’t deposit checks or money orders from strangers or companies you don’t have a relationship with.</p></li><li><p>Don’t wire money to people or companies you don’t know.</p></li><li><p>Don’t give your bank account number to someone who calls you, even for verification purposes.</p></li><li><p>Don’t click on links in an email to verify your bank account.</p></li><li><p>Don’t accept a check that includes an overpayment.</p></li></ul> </article> <article role="complementary" aria-labelledby="item-37207"> <header> <h2 id="item-37207">Telephone Scams</h2> </header><p>Telephone scammers try to steal your money or personal information. Scams may come through phone calls from real people, robocalls, or text messages. Callers often make false promises, such as opportunities to buy products, invest your money, or receive free product trials. They may also offer you money through free grants and lotteries. Some scammers may call with threats of jail or lawsuits if you don’t pay them.</p><h3>Report Telephone Scams</h3><p>It's important to report phone scams to federal agencies. They can’t investigate individual cases. But your report can help them collect evidence for lawsuits against scammers.</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/">Report telephone scams online to the Federal Trade Commission</a>. You can also call <a href="tel:18773824357">1-877-382-4357</a> (TTY: <a href="tel:18666534261">1-866-653-4261</a>). The FTC is the primary government agency that collects scam complaints. </p></li><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.donotcall.gov/">Report all robocalls and unwanted telemarketing calls to the Do Not Call Registry</a>. </p></li><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us">Report caller ID spoofing to the Federal Communications Commission</a>. You can report either online or by phone at <a href="tel:18882255322">1-888-225-5322</a> (TTY: <a href="tel:18888355322">1-888-835-5322</a>). </p></li></ul><p>For more help in resolving consumer issues, you can report scams to your <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-consumer">state consumer protection office</a>.</p><h3>Protect Yourself From Telephone Scams</h3><p>Remember these tips to avoid being a victim of a telephone scam:</p><h4>Do</h4><ul><li><p>Register your phone number with the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.donotcall.gov/">National Do Not Call Registry</a>. You may register online or by calling <a href="tel:18883821222">1-888-382-1222</a> (TTY: <a href="tel:18662904236">1-866-290-4236</a>). If you still receive telemarketing calls after registering, there’s a good chance that the calls are scams. </p></li><li><p>Be wary of callers claiming that you’ve won a prize or vacation package. </p></li><li><p>Hang up on suspicious phone calls. </p></li><li><p>Be cautious of caller ID. Scammers can change the phone number that shows up on your caller ID screen. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2016/05/scammers-can-fake-caller-id-info">This is called “spoofing.”</a> </p></li><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.bbb.org/search">Independently research business opportunities, charities, or travel packages that the caller offers</a>.</p></li></ul><h4>Don’t</h4><ul><li><p>Don’t give in to pressure to take immediate action. </p></li><li><p>Don’t say anything if a caller starts the call asking, “Can you hear me?” This is a common tactic for scammers to record you saying “yes.” Scammers record your “yes” response and use it as proof that you agreed to a purchase or credit card charge. </p></li><li><p>Don’t provide your credit card number, bank account information, or other personal information to a caller. </p></li><li><p>Don’t send money if a caller tells you to wire money or pay with a prepaid debit card.</p></li></ul> </article> <article role="complementary" aria-labelledby="item-35227"> <header> <h2 id="item-35227">Census-Related Fraud</h2> </header><p>Census scams happen when someone pretends to work for the Census Bureau to steal your personal information. Use this information to learn how these scams work, and protect yourself against them. </p><h3>How Census Related Fraud Works</h3><p>Some scam artists may pretend to be work for the Census Bureau. They'll try to collect your personal information to use for fraud or to steal your identity. These scam artists may send you letters that seem to come from the U.S. Census Bureau. Others may come to your home to collect information about you.</p><h3>Report Census-Related Fraud</h3><p>If you suspect fraud, report it to the Census Bureau’s<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.census.gov/about/regions.html"> regional office</a> for your state. Forward scam emails to the Census Bureau at  ois.fraud.reporting@census.gov.</p><h3>How to Protect Yourself</h3><p>Follow these tips to ensure that your personal information stays safe:</p><h4>Do</h4><ul><li><p>Verify that the study is legitimate. Check the survey name on the Census Bureau's <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/surveyhelp/list-of-surveys.html">list of surveys</a>.</p></li><li><p>If someone comes to your home and claims to be a census worker, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/surveyhelp/verify-a-survey.html#person">verify that they work for the Census Bureau</a>.</p></li><li><p>Look up the employee's name in the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/main/email.cgi">Census Bureau staff directory</a>.</p></li><li><p>Ask to see their badge. A Census Bureau badge has a picture of the field agent, a Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date.</p></li><li><p>Follow these <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/surveyhelp/fraudulent-activity-and-scams.html">tips to help you spot census scams</a>, so you don’t become a victim.</p></li></ul><h4>Don’t</h4><ul><li><p>Don’t share your full Social Security number, bank or credit card account numbers, or your mother’s maiden name. The Census Bureau won't ask for this type of information.</p></li><li><p>Don't trust emails claiming to be from the Census Bureau. This agency uses postal mail to invite individuals to take part in its surveys. If you get an email from the Census Bureau, it's probably a scam.</p></li><li><p>Don't trust caller ID. Call the Census Bureau’s<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.census.gov/about/npc.Call_from_an_Interviewer.html"> National Processing Center</a> to verify a telephone survey.</p></li></ul> </article> <article role="complementary" aria-labelledby="item-213803"> <header> <h2 id="item-213803">Government Grant Scams</h2> </header><p>Government grant scammers try to get your money by guaranteeing you a grant for costs like college or home repairs. They ask for your checking account information. With it, they say they will "deposit the grant money into your account" or withdraw a “one-time processing fee.”</p><p>In reality, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/grants#item-36807">government grants are rarely awarded to individuals</a>. They usually go to state and local governments, universities, and other organizations. The money is awarded to help pay for research and projects that will benefit the public.</p><h3>Report Grant Scams</h3><p>If you think you’ve been a victim of a government grant scam, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/?pid=B">report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)</a>. </p><ul><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/assistant?pid=B">Online</a> </p></li><li><p>By calling <a href="tel:18773824357">1-877-FTC-HELP</a> (1-877-382-4357)</p></li></ul><p>The FTC enters fraud-related complaints into a database available to law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.</p><p>If you’ve paid a fee to learn about or apply for a government grant, you can report it to your <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-consumer">state consumer protection office</a>. The government does not charge for information or applications for federal grants.</p><h3>Protect Yourself From Grant Scams</h3><p>Remember these tips to avoid being a victim of a grant scam:</p><h4>Do</h4><ul><li><p>Be wary of advertisements and calls about free government grants. These are usually scams.</p></li><li><p>Register your phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry. This may reduce the number of telemarketing calls you receive. You can register:</p><ul><li><p>Online at <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.donotcall.gov/register.html">donotcall.gov</a></p></li><li><p>By calling <a href="tel:18773824357">1-888-382-1222</a> (TTY: <a href="tel:18773824357">1-866-290-4236</a>) from the phone number you wish to register</p></li></ul></li></ul><h4>Don’t</h4><ul><li><p>Don’t give your bank account information to anyone you don’t know.</p></li><li><p>Don’t pay any money for a government grant. You can get information about government grants for free at public libraries and online at <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.grants.gov/">Grants.gov</a>. Government agencies don’t charge processing fees for grants they’ve awarded.</p></li><li><p>Don’t believe callers who claim they’re from an official-sounding government agency with news about a grant. Check out the name of the agency online or in the phone book—it may be fake.</p></li><li><p>Don’t assume a phone call is originating from the area code displayed on your caller ID. Some scam artists use technology to disguise their location and make it appear as if they’re calling from Washington, DC.</p></li></ul> </article> <article role="complementary" aria-labelledby="item-213708"> <header> <h2 id="item-213708">Investment Scams</h2> </header><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.investor.gov/protect-your-investments/fraud/types-fraud#.VA32ZsVSHPR">Investment scams</a> promise high returns, without financial risk. Use this information to report and protect your investments.</p><h3>Report Investment Scams</h3><p>Report investment scams, if you have been a victim.</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.sec.gov/oiea/Complaint.html">File a complaint about an investment</a> or an investment account with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).</p></li><li><p>Report pyramid or Ponzi schemes to the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/">Federal Trade Commission (FTC)</a>.</p></li><li><p>Report investment scams by state-licensed companies to <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.nasaa.org/contact-your-regulator/">your state's securities administrator</a>.</p></li></ul><p>The SEC may forward your complaint to the investment company. It will request that the company reply to your complaint. The FTC will not research your individual case of investment fraud.</p><h3>How to Protect Yourself</h3><p>Remember these tips to avoid being a victim of an investment scam:</p><h4>Do</h4><ul><li><p>Research investment opportunities and investment professionals. Your <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.nasaa.org/contact-your-regulator/">state securities regulator</a> and the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.sec.gov/investor/pubs/affinity.htm">Financial Industry Regulatory Authority offer information.</a></p></li><li><p>Learn where the investment and the investment professional have registered. It may be in your state or with other regulators.</p></li><li><p>Get all the details of an investment in writing, but still do your own research.</p></li><li><p>Ask questions about costs, timing, risks, and other issues.</p></li></ul><h4>Don’t</h4><ul><li><p>Don’t give in to pressure to invest immediately.</p></li><li><p>Don’t be influenced by promises that seem too good to be true. These promises may include “guaranteed earnings” or “risk-free” investments.</p></li><li><p>Don’t invest just because the investment professional seems nice, trustworthy, or has professional titles.</p></li><li><p>Don’t invest based on claims that <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.sec.gov/investor/pubs/affinity.htm">other people, "just like you"</a>, have invested.</p></li><li><p>Don’t feel obligated to invest, even if the professional gave you a gift, lunch, or reduced their fees.</p></li></ul> </article> <article role="complementary" aria-labelledby="item-35527"> <header> <h2 id="item-35527">Lottery and Sweepstakes Scams</h2> </header><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0199-prize-scams">Prize scammers</a> try to get your money or personal information through fake lotteries, sweepstakes, or other contests. Many claim that you’ve won a prize but must pay a fee to collect it. Others require you to provide personal information to enter a “contest.” These scams may reach you by postal mail, email, phone call, robocall, or text message.</p><h3>Report Lottery and Sweepstakes Scams</h3><p>To report a prize scam:</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/">Contact the Federal Trade Commission</a> online or by phone at <a href="tel:18773824357">1-877-382-4357</a>.</p></li><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.uspis.gov/report/">Contact a postal inspector</a> if the scam uses the U.S. mail .</p></li><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.donotcall.gov/report.html">Report robocalls and unwanted telemarketing calls to the Do Not Call Registry</a>.</p></li></ul><p>Federal agencies investigate scams and pursue criminal charges against the scammers. They don’t, however, investigate individual cases. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-consumer">State consumer protection offices</a> might pursue individual cases as well as investigate scams.</p><h3>Protect Yourself From Lottery and Sweepstakes Scams</h3><p>Remember these tips to avoid being a victim of a lottery or sweepstakes scam:</p><h4>Do</h4><ul><li><p>Ask yourself if you entered a particular contest. If you didn’t enter it, the prize notice is likely a fake.</p></li><li><p>Some scammers use the names of organizations that run real sweepstakes. Research the company's contact information. Contact them to verify if the prize is legitimate.</p></li><li><p>Register your phone number with the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.donotcall.gov/">National Do Not Call Registry</a>. You may <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.donotcall.gov/register.html#step1">register online</a> or by calling <a href="tel:18883821222">1-888-382-1222</a>. If you still receive telemarketing calls after registering, there’s a good chance that the calls are scams.</p></li><li><p>Report <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-report-spam-text-messages">spam text</a> messages to your mobile carrier, then delete them.</p></li><li><p>Hang up on suspicious calls.</p></li></ul><h4>Don’t</h4><ul><li><p>Don’t pay a fee, taxes, or shipping charges to receive a prize.</p></li><li><p>Don’t wire money to, or deposit a check from, any organization claiming to run a sweepstakes or lottery.</p></li><li><p>Don’t provide your credit card number or bank account information to receive a prize.</p></li><li><p>Don’t believe someone just because they say they’re from the government or an official-sounding organization.</p></li><li><p>Don’t reply to, or click on any links in, a <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0350-text-message-spam">spam text message</a>.</p></li><li><p>Don’t give in to pressure to take immediate action.</p></li><li><p>Don’t believe anyone claiming to be from a foreign lottery or sweepstakes. It’s <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0086-international-lottery-scams">illegal to enter foreign contests</a> like these.</p></li></ul> </article> <article role="complementary" aria-labelledby="item-211606"> <header> <h2 id="item-211606">Charity Scams</h2> </header><p>Some scammers set up fake organizations to take advantage of the public’s generosity. They especially take advantage of tragedies and disasters.</p><h3>How to Report Charity Scams</h3><ul><li><p>Your <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-consumer">state consumer protection office</a> can accept and investigate consumer complaints.</p></li><li><p>File a complaint with the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/?pid=B">Federal Trade Commission</a> (FTC). The FTC does not resolve individual matters. But it does track charity fraud claims and sues companies on the behalf of consumers.</p></li><li><p>Contact the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/how-report-disaster-related-fraud">National Center for Disaster Fraud</a>, if the fraud is because of a natural disaster.</p></li></ul><p>The <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.donotcall.gov/index.html#who">Do Not Call Registry doesn’t apply to charities</a>. But you can ask an organization not to contact you again.</p><h3>How to Protect Yourself From Charity Scams</h3><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://give.org/donor-landing-page/giving-guidance-tips">Follow these tips</a> to detect common <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/before-giving-to-charity#Signs">charity scam tactics</a>:</p><h4>Do</h4><ul><li><p>Check out the charity with your <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-consumer">state consumer protection office</a> or the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.give.org/">Better Business Bureau</a>.</p></li><li><p>Verify the name. Fake charities often choose names that are close to well established charities. </p></li></ul><h4>Don’t</h4><ul><li><p>Don’t give in to high pressure tactics such as urging you to donate immediately.</p></li><li><p>Don’t assume that you can get a tax deduction for donating to an organization. Use the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/">IRS’s database of 501(c)3 organizations</a> to find out if it has this status.</p></li><li><p>Don’t send cash. Pay with a check or credit card.</p></li></ul> </article> <article role="complementary" aria-labelledby="item-37297"> <header> <h2 id="item-37297">Pyramid Schemes</h2> </header><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.investor.gov/introduction-investing/investing-basics/glossary/pyramid-schemes">Pyramid schemes</a> are scams that need a constant flow of new participants to keep them going. They are marketed as <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/multi-level-marketing-businesses-and-pyramid-schemes">multi-level marketing programs</a> or other types of legitimate businesses. They use new recruits’ "investments" to pay “profits” to those participating longer.</p><p>Pyramid schemes collapse when they can't recruit enough new participants to pay earlier investors. These scams always fail—<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.ftc.gov/public-statements/1998/05/pyramid-schemes#N_3_">it’s mathematically guaranteed.</a></p><h3>Report Pyramid Schemes</h3><p>Report pyramid schemes to:</p><ul><li><p>Your <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-consumer">state consumer protection office</a></p></li><li><p>The <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/">Federal Trade Commission</a></p></li></ul><h3>How to Protect Yourself</h3><p>Keep these tips in mind to avoid falling for a pyramid scheme:</p><h4>Do</h4><ul><li><p>Be wary if you have to recruit more participants to increase your profit, or get your investment back.</p></li><li><p>Ask if the company sells non-tangible products and services rather than physical products.</p></li><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.bbb.org/">Check out the business with the Better Business Bureau</a>, your <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.naag.org/naag/attorneys-general/whos-my-ag.php">state attorney general</a>, or state licensing agencies.</p></li><li><p>Ask to see financial statements audited by a certified public accountant (CPA). Find out if the company earns income from selling its products or services to customers, not to its sales team.</p></li><li><p>Be skeptical of success stories and testimonials of fantastic earnings.</p></li></ul><h4>Don’t</h4><ul><li><p>Don’t invest until you’ve verified that the business is legitimate.</p></li><li><p>Don’t get involved in businesses that make you recruit new participants.</p></li><li><p>Don’t buy into franchises that promise big or quick profits.</p></li><li><p>Don’t invest in any “opportunity” bearing <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.investor.gov/introduction-investing/general-resources/news-alerts/alerts-bulletins/investor-alerts/investor-30">warning signs of a pyramid scheme</a>.</p></li></ul> </article> <article role="complementary" aria-labelledby="item-213719"> <header> <h2 id="item-213719">Ponzi Schemes</h2> </header><p>A <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.investor.gov/protect-your-investments/fraud/types-fraud/ponzi-scheme">Ponzi scheme</a> is a type of investment fraud. Use this information to identify, report, and protect yourself against this type of scam. </p><h3>How Ponzi Schemes Work</h3><p>Ponzi schemes rely on money from new investors to pay “returns” to current investors. To keep the scheme going, the scammers must continually recruit new investors and discourage current investors from cashing out. Otherwise, they will not bring in enough cash to pay current investors, and the scheme will collapse.</p><h3>Report Ponzi Schemes</h3><p>Report Ponzi schemes to:</p><ul><li><p>The <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.sec.gov/complaint/select.shtml">Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)</a></p></li><li><p>The <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.finra.org/investors/need-help">Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)</a></p></li><li><p>Your <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-consumer">state securities administrator</a></p></li></ul><h3>How to Protect Yourself From Ponzi Schemes</h3><p>Keep these tips in mind to protect yourself from Ponzi schemes:</p><h4>Do</h4><ul><li><p>Be wary of any investment that regularly pays positive returns regardless of what the overall market is doing.</p></li><li><p>Avoid investments if you do not understand them or cannot get complete information about them.</p></li><li><p>Be alert to account statement errors, which may be a sign of investment fraud.</p></li><li><p>Be suspicious if you do not receive a payment or have difficulty cashing out.  </p></li></ul><h4>Do Not</h4><ul><li><p>Do not put your money in investments that promise big returns with little to no risk.</p></li><li><p>Do not contribute to any investment that is not registered with the SEC or with state regulators.</p></li><li><p>Do not get financially involved with any unlicensed investment professional or unregistered firm.</p></li></ul> </article> <article role="complementary" aria-labelledby="item-212864"> <header> <h2 id="item-212864">Ticket Scams</h2> </header><p>Ticket selling scams happen when a scammer uses tickets as bait to steal your money. The scammer usually sells fake tickets, or you pay for a ticket, but never receive it. They are common when tickets for popular concerts, plays, and sporting events sell out.</p><h3>Ways That Ticket Scammers Go After Your Money</h3><p>Scammers, including individuals and fake resale companies, take advantage of ticket shortages by:</p><ul><li>Charging prices much higher than the face value of a ticket</li><li>Creating counterfeit tickets with forged barcodes and logos of real ticket companies</li><li>Selling duplicates of a legitimate ticket and emailing it to several buyers</li><li>Pretending to sell tickets online to steal your credit card information</li></ul><h3>Report Ticket Scams</h3><p>There are several options to report a ticket scam.</p><ul><li>Contact your <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-consumer">state consumer protection office</a>.</li><li>Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) using the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/">Online Complaint Assistant</a>.</li><li>File a local police report, especially if you met the scammer in person or have a picture of them to give the police.</li><li>Report it using the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker">Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker</a>.</li><li>If you paid by credit card, report the problem to the card company. You may be able to dispute the charge.</li></ul><h3>How to Protect Yourself</h3><p>Learn what you can do to avoid becoming a victim:</p><h4>Do</h4><ul><li>Buy tickets at the venue box office.</li><li>Buy tickets from authorized brokers and third party sellers, with verified contact information.</li><li>Look for red flags in the ticket offer. If the offer has imperfect English or unusual phrases, the offer could be a scam. </li><li>Verify that the seller has a real physical addresses and phone numbers. Scammers often post fake addresses, PO Box, or no address on their websites.</li><li>Check the actual web address of the resale ticket seller. Some scammers create phony websites that look like real ticket sellers' websites.</li><li>Search online for negative reviews about the seller. Use the seller’s name, email address, and phone number, along with the words “fraud,” “scams,” and “fake tickets”.</li><li>Verify the details on the ticket. Check the date and the time printed on the tickets. Make sure the section and seat numbers actually exist at the venue.</li><li>Have the seller meet you in person in a public place for the ticket exchange.</li><li>Ask the seller for proof that they bought the tickets, if you are buying from an individual.</li><li>Use a credit card to pay third party sellers. Your credit card offers protections, if you need to dispute a charge.</li><li>Check for complaints against a ticket seller with your state’s <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211122142455/https://www.usa.gov/state-consumer">consumer protection agency</a>.</li></ul><h4>Don’t</h4><ul><li>Don’t wire transfer money to pay for tickets.  </li><li>Don’t trust sellers who want you to pay with a prepaid money card.</li><li>Don’t meet an individual ticket seller alone or in a low-traffic area.</li><li>Don’t automatically trust online search results for ticket sellers. 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