While you’re at home, spot the scams

Many of us are at home, trying to protect our communities from the Coronavirus. (Thanks to those who are still working outside the home. Be safe.) If you have a minute to spare, it could be a good time for a refresher on spotting some common scams. Especially now that you might be home to get all those robocalls – and especially since the scammers are doubling down on ways to scam you. With that in mind, this is the first in a series of blog posts to help you spot some common scams.

For the past few weeks, we’ve been writing about how scammers are working overtime during the Coronavirus pandemic to find new ways to steal your money and personal information. Many of these scammers are imposters, pretending to be anyone from government officials – like from Medicare, Social Security, and others – to family members in need.

In 2019, imposter scams were the number one scam reported to the FTC. Some of their stories might change with the headlines, but scammers have some tried-and-true tactics. To try to keep ahead of them, follow this series to know what to look for and what to do about it. And, don’t forget to pass along to others what you’ve learned. That way, you can protect your family, friends, and your wallet.

So, stay tuned to this blog. Or, to get a jump start, visit ftc.gov/imposters – or ftc.gov/coronavirus for the latest on those scams. And if you already spotted a scam, we really want to hear about it. Report it at ftc.gov/complaint.

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