Grandparent Scams

Scammers are increasingly utilizing artificial intelligence to replicate voices and modify images, making it simpler to impersonate relatives in distress. If you receive a call from someone claiming to be a grandchild or family member asking for money transfers, gift cards, or funds, it may be a scam aimed at exploiting your emotions. These fraudulent schemes often target older adults, particularly during the holiday season.

How to Stay Safe:

• Be wary if a caller urges you to keep the conversation secret or creates a sense of urgency.

• Verify the situation by reaching out to your relative directly.

• If you're unable to contact them, consult another trusted family member or friend before taking any actions.

• Stay updated on fraud tactics and discover additional ways to safeguard older adults from financial exploitation.

For more information on preventing scams, visit Protecting Older Adults from Fraud and Financial Exploitation | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Romance Scams: Safeguard Yourself Against Online Fraud

A romance scam happens when a new romantic interest misleads you into believing a genuine relationship exists—while their true intention is to defraud you of your money. These scams usually start online, with con artists taking the time to earn your trust and craft the illusion of a real bond before they request financial assistance, a loan, or access to your personal information.

Tips for Staying Safe:

• Exercise caution when engaging with individuals online, via text messages, or on social media platforms.

• Avoid sending money or sharing sensitive personal information—such as bank account details, credit card numbers, or your Social Security number—with someone you have just met.

• Educate yourself about romance scams and familiarize yourself with the warning signs to protect both yourself and your finances.

For additional guidance on steering clear of romance scams, check out "Break Up with Online Romance Scams" from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Tech Support Scams: Safeguard Yourself Against Fraud

Scammers frequently impersonate tech support representatives, claiming to resolve non-existent computer problems. These con artists employ various strategies to gain remote access to your device and steal your personal information.

Common Indicators of a Tech Support Scam:

• A pop-up alert or blue screen appears on your computer, phone, or tablet, indicating that your device is infected with a virus.

• The message insists that you call a toll-free number or click a link immediately for help.

• A scammer masquerading as an employee from a reputable tech company—such as Apple, Google, or Microsoft—offers to fix the issue.

• They request payment via gift cards or wire transfers for supposedly provided technical support services.

Tips for Staying Safe:

• Avoid calling or clicking links in unsolicited pop-up messages.

• Remain cautious about urgent demands for remote access to your device.

• Authentic tech companies never require payment through gift cards or wire transfers.

• If you suspect you’ve encountered a scam, reach out to the tech company directly via their official website or customer support channels.

Lottery & Prize Scams: Recognizing the Red Flags

Scammers frequently reach out to individuals via phone, text, or email, falsely asserting that they have won a lottery, sweepstakes, or another prize. To collect their reward, victims are often asked to pay upfront fees or taxes. Some fraudsters even pose as federal agencies, like the CFPB, to lend credibility to their schemes.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Never share personal or financial information—such as credit card numbers or Social Security details—with unknown contacts.

• Remember, legitimate lotteries or sweepstakes never ask for upfront payments to claim a prize.

• Be cautious of urgent demands for immediate payment.

• Familiarize yourself with warning signs to safeguard against fraud.

For further details on how to identify and steer clear of lottery scams, visit Consumer Finance

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Phishing Scams: Safeguard Your Personal Information

Scammers utilize deceptive emails and websites that falsely represent legitimate banks, financial institutions, or well-known companies. Their aim is to deceive users into disclosing personal and financial information.

Understanding How Phishing Scams Operate:

• Fraudsters dispatch counterfeit emails or create misleading websites to harvest sensitive data.

• These scams adapt to current events, leveraging trending topics to appear more credible.

• Recent phishing attempts have incorporated terms like “coronavirus,” “COVID-19,” and “stimulus” to take advantage of public anxiety.

Tips for Staying Safe:

• Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unsolicited emails.

• Confirm the authenticity of any request by contacting the company directly through official channels.

• Be vigilant for signs of fraud, such as misspelled URLs, unexpected requests for financial information, or urgent alerts demanding prompt action.

• Keep yourself informed about the latest phishing strategies and take measures to protect your personal data.

Blackmail Scams: How to Respond and Protect Yourself

Blackmailers use intimidation to coerce victims into sending money by threatening to reveal private content—either obtained from a device or shared via email, text, or social media. Payment demands may come through wire transfers, mobile apps, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. In some cases, these scammers may be strangers, while in others, they could be individuals you met online who initially seemed trustworthy.

How to Stay Safe:

• Stay calm and do not give in to intimidation tactics.

• Cease all communication with the blackmailer immediately.

• Do not send money or comply with their requests.

• Preserve all messages and interactions as evidence for law enforcement.

• Seek support—remember, you are not alone in this situation.

Charity Scams: Make Sure Your Donations Reach Authentic Causes

Scammers frequently impersonate legitimate charities or create names that sound credible to deceive individuals into contributing funds. These fraudulent activities often surge during the holiday season and in the aftermath of natural disasters, such as storms, wildfires, or earthquakes.

Be vigilant if a charity contacts you for a donation, particularly if they mention a pledge you can’t recall making. Scammers may utilize live streaming on social media, altered images, or AI-generated voices to instill a false sense of urgency. Many will seek donations through cryptocurrency or online transfers to quickly access your funds.

Tips for Staying Safe:

• Request comprehensive details about the charity, including its official address and phone number.

• Confirm the charity’s authenticity by checking its website or consulting a trusted third-party resource.

• Be cautious of aggressive tactics that pressure you into making an immediate payment.

Debt Settlement Scams: Understand the Risks Before You Act

Debt settlement and relief companies frequently assert that they can negotiate or lower the amount you owe to your creditors. Although these claims may seem appealing, engaging with such companies can pose significant risks and may worsen your financial situation.

Tips for Staying Safe:

• Be cautious of companies that guarantee they can resolve your debts, particularly those that require upfront fees before rendering any services.

• Rather than opting for a potentially hazardous debt relief service, consider collaborating with a credible nonprofit credit counseling program that can assist you in communicating effectively with your creditors.

• Investigate the risks linked to debt settlement and look into alternative financial assistance options that might be accessible.

For further details on safeguarding yourself against debt-related scams, visit What is a debt relief program and how do I know if I should use one? | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Foreclosure Relief Scams: Safeguard Your Home and Finances

Homeowners facing financial struggles are often targeted by scammers who falsely promise to prevent foreclosure. These con artists may demand upfront fees, guarantee loan modifications, encourage homeowners to transfer their property title, or pressure them into signing complicated documents—all to exploit their vulnerable situation.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Be wary of anyone who assures a loan modification or asks for upfront payments in exchange for foreclosure relief services.

• Never transfer the title of your property or sign any documents you don’t fully comprehend.

• If you're having difficulty with mortgage payments, reach out to a HUD-approved housing counseling agency for reliable assistance.

• If you think you have fallen prey to a foreclosure relief scam, seek legal advice from your local bar association or legal aid services.

For additional information about mortgage loan modification scams, visit What are mortgage loan modification scams? | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Mail Fraud Scams: Identify the Warning Signs

Mail fraud letters may appear authentic, yet their promises are misleading. A frequent tactic employed by scammers is to solicit money or personal information in exchange for a promised reward down the line. Common examples of mail fraud include fake prize notifications, sweepstakes winnings, vacation offers, and other deceptive claims.

How to Stay Safe:

• Be cautious of letters requesting upfront payments or personal information before providing a promised reward.

• Confirm unexpected offers through official channels prior to responding.

• Familiarize yourself with the indicators of mail fraud and report any suspicious mail, emails, or texts related to scams.

For additional information, the United States Postal Service (USPS) offers resources on prevalent mail fraud schemes, while the U.S. Postal Inspection Service provides advice on recognizing scams and reporting fraudulent mail.

To learn more about safeguarding yourself against mail fraud, visit How can I recognize mail fraud? | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.