October 16, 2025

A Free Public Service

Attribution: California Gov.

SCAMSBULLETIN Host Jay White is an inacvtive attorney in San Mateo County, USA.

EMPLOYMENT SCAMS

Every source contacted for this article — from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) — reported a rise in employment scams.

In some cases, the goal is simply to gain your personal information. You’re told you got the job, so you fill out paperwork that includes your Social Security number and your bank account info for direct deposit.

More elaborate scams can involve bogus payments. Some scams, for example, ask would-be employees to pay for training or useless certifications. Others pay new staffers a bonus (with a check that will eventually bounce), then ask for money back due to “overpayment,” the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports. Scammers might also request money to cover shipment costs for job-related equipment.

How to stay safe: Remember that just because ads appear on reputable platforms such as LinkedIn and indeed, it doesn’t mean they’re genuine.

#

October 7, 2025

A Free Public Service

Attribution: US FTC.gov

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is an inactive attorney in San Mateo County, California, USA.

SPOTTING JOB SCAMS

People you know are seeing phony business opportunities, work-at-home scams, shady employment agencies, and scammy multi-level marketing schemes. Job seekers don’t have the time or resources to waste on fake opportunities, but there are some ways to spot these scams. Citing American workers from these kinds of practices is a priority for the U S Federal Trade Commssion. That’s why the Chairman launched a Labor Task Force to keep the agency’s focus on these issues. And reports to the FTC show that these scammers are alive and hunting victims. Check out this dashboard to see what reports and losses look like.

And if you spot a job scam, tell the FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Job seekers don’t have the time or resources to waste on fake opportunities, but there are some ways to spot these scams. Protecting American workers from these kinds of practices is a priority for the FTC — in fact, that’s why the Chairman launched a Labor Task Force to keep the agency’s focus on these issues. And reports to the FTC show that these scams are alive and plentiful. Check out this dashboard to see what reports and losses look like. And if you spot a job scam, tell the FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov.  

Protecting American workers from these kinds of practices is a priority for the FTC — in fact, that’s why the Chairman launched a Labor Task Force to keep the agency’s focus on these issues. And reports to the FTC show that these scammers are alive and plentiful. Check out this dashboard to see what reports and losses look like.

  And if you spot a job scam, tell the FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov. 

# 

A Free Public Service

September 3, 2025

SCAMS BULLETIN HOST Jay White is an inactive attorney in San Mateo County, California, USA.

Attribution: UC FTC.gov

A Free Public Service

Summer is over and you could be thinking about selling your timeshare. Maybe you turn on the radio, check your feed, or get a call and find what sounds like an easy way to sell your timeshare. But is it? Or is it a scam?

Getting out of a timeshare can be tough, but that’s not what scammers tell you. They’ll guarantee they can easily sell your timeshare. Sometimes they say they have interested buyers…but you’d need to pay a few thousand dollars upfront for taxes or closing costs. Which they say they’ll refund later. Only there’s really no buyer and if you pay, you’ll lose your money.

Research the timeshare resale company or expert online. Look up the name of the timeshare resale company or individual who contacted you plus the words “scam” or “complaint.” See what other people are saying about their experience.

• Ask about fees. If you want to work with a reseller, try to deal with one that takes their fee after the timeshare is sold.
• Get everything in writing before you pay or sign a contract. Make sure it matches any verbal promises, including what they’ll do, plus any fees you have to pay, and when. And don’t assume you’ll get back what you paid for your timeshare.

Check out Timeshares, Vacation Clubs, and Related Scams to learn more. Suspect a timeshare resale scam? Tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

#

A Free Public Service

September 25, 2025

Attribution: US Ftc.gov

PROTECT WITH CREDIT FREEZE

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is an inactive attorney in San Mateo, California, USA.

A credit freeze is something you can do anytime, for any reason. But it’s especially helpful if you’re dealing with identity theft or a lost wallet or data breach. While a freeze is in place, nobody can open a new credit account in your name.

A freeze is free to place or lift — and doesn’t affect your credit score

*is available to anyone, for any reason * lasts until you lift it

To place a credit freeze, contact all three credit bureaus —  Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. When you need to lift the freeze — to do things like get a credit card or buy a car — you only need to contact the credit bureau a lender will use to check your credit. When you’re done, you can freeze it again.

Along with a credit freeze, you can also get an initial fraud alert if you are — or suspect you may be — affected by identity theft. Initial fraud alerts (also free) make lenders verify your identity before they grant new credit in your name. There are also two other types of alerts — extended fraud alerts and active duty alerts — (both also free), and which you choose depends on your situation and needs. Read Credit Freeze or Fraud Alert: What’s Right for Your Credit Report? to learn more.

If your identity was stolen, also make sure you report it at IdentityTheft.gov, where you’ll get a free recovery plan with next steps.

#

September 20, 2025

A Free Public Sevice

Attribution: FTC.gov

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is an inactive attorney in San Mateo County, California, USA.
See an eye-catching “deal” on your social for a brand-name product at a big discount? Don’t click — it could be a scam. Here’s what to know.

Scammers sometimes impersonate real companies on social media, advertising big fake discounts on brand-name products. Clicking on a scammy ad can take you to a fake website that’s designed to steal your money or information, like your Social Security or bank account number. If you pay, you might get a cheap fake or nothing at all. If you give your personal information, the scammer might steal your identity.

To avoid responding to scammy ads on social media:

• Look up the seller before you click. Don’t assume the seller is the company brand named in the ad. Look closely to see if you can tell who the seller really is. Then, search that company’s name online, adding words like “scam,” “complaint,” or “review.” Check to see what others are saying about the seller before you click on the ad.
• Compare prices. See what the product is selling for in other places. If the ad offers prices that are much, much lower, it’s probably a scam.
• Use a credit card. If you buy, paying by credit card gives you the best protections if something goes wrong. If you don’t get what you ordered or never get the product, for example, you may be able to dispute the charge. And never buy anything from online sellers who insist you can only pay with gift cards, wire transfers, payment apps, or cryptocurrency. Only scammers will demand you pay in those ways.  

Already paid a scammer? Read What To Do if You Were Scammed to find out what to do next. And tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If you’re worried about identity theft, go to IdentityTheft.gov. 

#

Attribution: FTC.gov

September 12, 2025

A Free Public Service

Attribution: US FTC.gov

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is an inactive attorney in San Mateo County, California, USA.

Did you hear about an investment opportunity from a friend or someone in a group or community you’re a part of? Before you hand over any money, make sure you’re not getting into an investment scam. Here’s how.

One way investment scammers work is by using your community connections or claiming to have similar values to gain your trust. It can happen online, through social media, or in person. To get you to invest, they’ll promise high returns with little to no risk and lie about how much money others have already made investing with them in forex trading, stocks, cryptocurrency, or something else. After you invest, they’ll often tell you your investments are doing well and make you think you’re making money. The reality? The investment isn’t real or is extremely high-risk, and you end up losing all your money.

To avoid an investment scam:

• Look for information about the reputation of the investment company, its officials, and its promoters. Search online with their name plus words like “review,” “scam,” or “complaint.” Go through several pages of search results.
• Check for licenses and registrations. Check out the background, including registration or license status, of anyone recommending or selling an investment using the free simple search tool on Investor.gov. For precious metals and coin investments, check with the CFTC database.
• Know that investments always involve risk. Don’t trust anyone who plays down the risk of an investment or who acts like risk disclosures are just a formality or something you don’t need to worry about. Scammers want you to think their opportunity is risk-free, but it’s not.

Learn more about affinity fraud — where scammers are or pretend to be part of a group — at Investor.gov, a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website.

And report investment scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

#

Top search results online are often paid ads — including when you search for substance use disorder treatment clinics. Dishonest businesses sometimes advertise on search engines using the names of real treatment centers, but list their own contact information. So when you call, you might reach the imposter business — not the real one you were looking for — making it harder to get the care you’re after. 

Have a specific treatment clinic you’re interested in? When searching online, review the results carefully before clicking on the ad or calling the number. And take a closer look at any program or center you find before sending them any money or giving them any of your personal information.

To get real help near you, start at FindTreatment.gov.

Spot a dishonest business? Tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Know someone else who could use this information? Share this video. 

#

A Free Public Service

August 26, 2025

Attribution: US ftc.gov

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is an inactive attorney in San Mateo County, California.USA.

If you’re looking to join a gym, you’ll probably find the membership sign-up process is quick and easy. Cancelling should be easy, too — but sometimes businesses make you jump through hoops that make it nearly impossible to quit. That’s unlawful and costs people a lot of time and money. And that’s what the FTC alleges LA Fitness did to people who signed up for monthly gym subscriptions.

Some gyms say you can try out a membership for free — but it might not be true. Some will auto-renew if you don’t cancel first, which might come as a surprise. And sometimes you’re trapped in a membership because of a confusing maze you have to go through before the gym will honor your cancellation request.

Learn about subscriptions to save yourself money, time, and potential aggravation. Before you sign up:

• See what others are saying online. Search for the company’s name and the word “subscription” plus words like “complaint,” “problem,” “cancel,” and “fee” to see if people have had issues in the past.
• Check the terms and conditions. If the subscription includes auto-renewals, know that you’ll keep getting charged until you cancel.
• Learn more about how to cancel a paid subscription with automatic billing.

Already have a subscription? Here’s what to do if you have trouble cancelling:

• Dispute unauthorized credit card charges. If you’ve tried to cancel a subscription and the company won’t stop charging your account, dispute it with your credit or debit card company. Just changing your credit or debit card number is often not enough.
• Tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

By

BCP Staff

August 26, 2025

Image

A Free Public Service

August 13, 2025

Attribution: USFTC.gov

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is an inactive attorney in San Mateo County, California, USA.

While scrolling through social media, you might come across a video or post discussing an “opportunity” to make money using checks. The problem? That advice could get you in trouble.

The supposed hack involves writing a check for more money than you have, depositing it into a different account of yours, and then withdrawing the money before the (bad) check is fully processed. What the video or post might not tell you is that could leave you on the hook for paying back all the money, kicked out of your bank, and in serious legal trouble for bank fraud.

Before you jump onboard a viral trend: 

• Do some research. Search the trend along with terms like “scam” or “fraud” to see what others are saying about it. Talk to friends and family to see what they think.
• Think about the source. What do you know about the person or account that makes them trustworthy?
• Compare advice from a variety of well-known sources. Don’t just trust what one person or account says.

Learn more at ftc.gov/fakechecks.

#

A Free Public Service

August 2, 2025

Attribution: US Ftc.gov.

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is an inactive attorney in San Mateo County, California, USA.

Discharged from the military, retiring, or transitioning to civilian life? Once you leave active duty, you might be interested in new career opportunities to put your valuable skills and experience to work. Scammers are also looking for opportunities — specifically, to steal your money. Reports to the FTC about job scams have tripled from 2020 to 2024 and reported losses jumped from $90 million to $501 million in that time. Here are some ways to help you spot a scam while you’re job searching.

Reports to the FTC say scammers flock to the places where job seekers look: online ads, job sites, and social media. But sometimes they try to contact you directly. You might get an unexpected text or message on WhatsApp from someone who says they’re a recruiter for a company. The message might even look like it’s coming from a company you know. If it asks you to click a link or enter personal or financial information, that’s probably a scam.

To avoid job scams:

• Start your job search with trusted sources. Try visiting sites like fedshirevets.gov and your state’s job bank at Career OneStop.
• Do some research. Search online for the name of the company and words like “review,” “scam,” or “complaint.” If you can’t find the company online, steer clear.
• Slow down and talk to someone you trust. Scammers try to pressure you to act quickly so you don’t have time to think. Slow down and see what your friends and family have to say about the job ad.
• Never pay anyone to get a job. Anyone who asks you to pay to get a job is a scammer. 

Learn more about spotting and avoiding job scams at ftc.gov/jobscams and report them to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

#