Have you lost money to a scam? Watch for scammers who say they can help

By Federal Trade Commission: BCP Staff


They’re the worst of the absolute worst: scams that target people who have already lost money to a scam. If you or someone you know paid a scammer, here’s what to know to avoid scammers who pretend to be helpers.

Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/08/have-you-lost-money-scam-watch-scammers-who-say-they-can-help?utm_source=govdelivery

Talk to your friends and family to fight fraud

By FTC - BCP Staff

"One of the best ways to fight fraud is to talk about it. When you know scammers’ tactics, they’re easier to spot and avoid. 

The FTC has some facts about fraud to help you start the conversation."

Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/07/talk-your-friends-and-family-fight-fraud?utm_source=govdelivery

https://consumer.ftc.gov/

Unclaimed life insurance money? It’s a scam

By BCP Staff

We’ve written about this scam before, but like a bad sequel, it’s back. People are telling the FTC they’ve gotten letters in the mail from law firms about unclaimed life insurance money. 

https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/

Have you gotten one of these? The “lawyer” says that one of their clients, with your same last name, died and you’re the heir to a life insurance policy worth millions. (Spoiler alert: you’re not.) 

The letter then explains that they’d like to split the proceeds between you, some charity organizations, and their law firm. But what’s really happening here?

Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/07/unclaimed-life-insurance-money-its-scam?utm_source=govdelivery

How to avoid a travel scam this summer

How to avoid a travel scam this summer By BCP Staff Summer is here! If you haven't made your vacation plans yet, you might be looking for a deal. While you look for bargains, scammers are looking for ways to reach you…and your money.  Here are some things to know to help you avoid travel scams. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/06/how-avoid-travel-scam-summer?utm_source=govdelivery

Asked to enter your email address and password to open a party invite? That’s a scam

Asked to enter your email address and password to open a party invite? That’s a scam By BCP Staff It’s graduation and summer party season. The FTC is getting reports about unexpected “You’re invited” texts and emails that are actually phishing scams.  These fake invitations ask for your email login credentials or a special pass code to open them, but don’t do it.  Learn how these phishing scams work and how to protect yourself if you get one. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/05/asked-enter-your-email-address-and-password-open-party-invite-thats-scam?utm_source=govdelivery

How to spot and avoid business coaching scams

How to spot and avoid business coaching scams By BCP Staff Have you seen ads promising that a training or coaching program will help you build a thriving business or make significant money investing in markets like crypto, forex, or precious metals?  Offers like these might sound exciting, but could be coaching scams in disguise.  Do you know how to spot them? Read more  ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/04/how-spot-and-avoid-business-coaching-scams?utm_source=govdelivery

This month, Pass It On to help someone you know avoid a scam

This month, Pass It On to help someone you know avoid a scam By BCP Staff Looking for ways to celebrate Older Americans Month? There’s something people of all ages can do to participate and help each other avoid scams: Pass It On. The FTC has a different approach to educating older adults about fraud. Pass It On encourages people to lean into their invaluable life experience and use the free materials as a way to start a conversation with friends and family. Read more -> https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/05/month-pass-it-help-someone-you-know-avoid-scam?utm_source=govdelivery

New trends in reports of imposter scams

New trends in reports of imposter scams By BCP Staff Every year, the FTC gets millions of fraud reports from consumers and shares information about the top scams. In what’s not a surprise for anyone who’s followed along in the past, imposter scams were the #1 scam for the ninth year in a row.  So, what do we know about these imposter scams? Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/05/new-trends-reports-imposter-scams?utm_source=govdelivery

Welcome to National Small Business Week 2026

Welcome to National Small Business Week 2026 By BCP Staff All week long, learn how the FTC can help you protect your small business from scams and online threats. Run a small business or want to support the small businesses in your community? Here’s how you can get involved. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/05/welcome-national-small-business-week-2026?utm_source=govdelivery

Say “no, thanks” to unexpected offers to lower your credit card interest rate

Say “no, thanks” to unexpected offers to lower your credit card interest rate By BCP Staff If a company calls you unexpectedly and offers to help lower your credit card interest rate, say “no, thanks.” It’s probably a scammer hoping you’ll pay them for shortcuts that don’t really exist.  Here’s how to spot and avoid scams that promise to help lower your credit card interest rate. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/04/say-no-thanks-unexpected-offers-lower-your-credit-card-interest-rate?utm_source=govdelivery

With people losing big to investment scams, learn how to spot and avoid them

With people losing big to investment scams, learn how to spot and avoid them By BCP Staff You might be interested in making money through investments. Who isn’t? So offers that promise big returns might draw your attention…and scammers know this. They use those promises and clever schemes to lure you in and, unfortunately, people are losing big money on investment scams.  In fact, FTC data shows reports of more than $7.9 billion in losses to investment scams, with a median individual loss of more than $10,000 in 2025. Do you know how to spot and avoid investment scams? Read more -> https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/04/people-losing-big-investment-scams-learn-how-spot-and-avoid-them?utm_source=govdelivery

Got a text about expiring reward points? Look closer

Got a text about expiring reward points? Look closer By BCP Staff If you’re signed up for a rewards program, you may have gotten texts warning that your points are expiring soon. A message like that may catch your attention, but people are reporting to the FTC that some of those messages aren’t real — and come from scammers. So how can you tell which messages are real and which are phishing scams? Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/04/got-text-about-expiring-reward-points-look-closer?utm_source=govdelivery

Could that mortgage relief offer be a scam?

Could that mortgage relief offer be a scam? By BCP Staff Life happens and sometimes you end up with trouble paying your mortgage. Maybe you were affected by a natural disaster, lost your job, or got stuck with a bunch of medical bills after an illness.  Then, suddenly, you get an unexpected call offering you mortgage relief. But could it be a scam? Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/04/could-mortgage-relief-offer-be-scam?utm_source=govdelivery

How to handle unexpected calls about unclaimed funds

How to handle unexpected calls about unclaimed funds By BCP Staff Did you get a call or text saying you're eligible for thousands of dollars in unclaimed property? Don't get excited yet. It might be a scammer looking to steal your money or personal information.  Here's how to avoid that scam — and find out if a government agency has money, stocks, or another asset that belongs to you. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/03/how-handle-unexpected-calls-about-unclaimed-funds?utm_source=govdelivery

Looking for debt relief? Here’s how to avoid a scam

Looking for debt relief? Here's how to avoid a scam By BCP Staff If you're dealing with a lot of debt, you might be looking for help. Some companies offer a range of free and paid services, like budget counseling and debt management classes. But others are dishonest and will take your money for the promise of getting rid of your debt — just to leave you even worse off. So, how can you avoid scams while you're trying to pay off your debt? Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/03/looking-debt-relief-heres-how-avoid-scam?utm_source=govdelivery

How scammers are using the Iran conflict to try to steal your money and information

How scammers are using the Iran conflict to try to steal your money and information By BCP Staff With global attention focused on the conflict in Iran, it's no surprise scammers have already added that situation to their story lines. Some recent reports to the FTC about imposter, romance, and fake charity scams include an Iran twist.  The details change, but the scammer's goal is always to trick you into paying or sharing your personal information.  Here are some examples of these scams — and how to protect yourself. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/03/how-scammers-are-using-iran-conflict-try-steal-your-money-and-information?utm_source=govdelivery

Do you have thoughts on rental fee-related regulations? Share them with the FTC

Do you have thoughts on rental fee-related regulations? Share them with the FTC By BCP Staff Many of us use or work with rental housing in some way. Maybe you have been — or are currently — a renter.  Or maybe you own a rental property, operate a property management company, or otherwise work with or around rental housing.  If any of that applies to you, the FTC wants to hear from you. Read more and find link to provide input ->   https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/03/do-you-have-thoughts-rental-fee-related-regulations-share-them-ftc?utm_source=govdelivery

Protecting franchisees: The FTC’s case against Xponential Fitness

Protecting franchisees: The FTC's case against Xponential Fitness By BCP Staff If you're thinking about opening a franchise, you're probably looking for things like name recognition, training, and support to help you grow your business. What you're probably not looking for is for a franchisor to mislead you about the risks and costs of opening a franchise. That's exactly what the FTC alleges Xponential Fitness, one of the world's largest franchisors of boutique fitness studios, did to prospective franchisees. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/03/protecting-franchisees-ftcs-case-against-xponential-fitness?utm_source=govdelivery

How to make your World Cup experience scam free

How to make your World Cup experience scam free By BCP Staff Excitement is reaching a fever pitch as the United States, Mexico, and Canada get ready to welcome thousands of fans for one of the most-watched sporting events on the planet — the FIFA World Cup! While die-hard fans are preparing to support their countrymen, scammers are looking to take advantage of the rush for tickets. Learn how to make your World Cup experience scam free. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/03/how-make-your-world-cup-experience-scam-free?utm_source=govdelivery

How to avoid scams while applying for Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)

How to avoid scams while applying for ESTA By BCP Staff It's that time of year when people start planning their spring and summer travels. If you have someone visiting you from another country (and they qualify for a visa waiver), they'll need to complete an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) application through the official U.S. government website or app.  To help them avoid a scam, be sure to let them know that they might come across ESTA lookalike sites trying to trick people into overpaying for the application.  Here are some other things to share with visiting friends or family. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/03/how-avoid-scams-while-applying-esta?utm_source=govdelivery  SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:  Manage Preferences  |  Unsubscribe  |  Help This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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