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

A Free Public Service

July 25, 2025

Attributon: US FTC.gov

Scammers know natural disasters create opportunities to take advantage of people. One way they do that is by impersonating Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials to steal people’s money and personal information. FEMA impersonators often show up, call, or text people after a weather emergency and offer services like disaster grants or home inspections for a fee, usually cash up front. But these are scams: FEMA doesn’t charge people for disaster assistance.

Here’s how to spot and avoid FEMA impersonators to help keep your finances and identity safe during and after a weather emergency.

• Know that FEMA employees will never ask for money for inspections, disaster assistance, debris removal, grants, help with applications, or appeals. FEMA inspectors will not ask for your banking information. And anyone who says they work for FEMA but asks for money or financial information is a scammer.
• Verify their identity. FEMA staff and their contractors always wear an official badge with their name and photo on it. But scammers sometimes make fake badges or wear FEMA-branded clothing. If you’re unsure about someone claiming to be a FEMA representative, contact FEMA directly at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
• Don’t respond to unexpected calls and texts. If you get unexpected calls or texts from people claiming to be from FEMA, but you’ve never applied for FEMA disaster assistance, it’s highly likely to be a scam. FEMA only contacts people who’ve contacted them or applied for FEMA disaster assistance, and the agency never sends texts demanding money or personal information.

Download the FEMA Mobile App to get alerts and information and learn more about how to spot and avoid other disaster-related scams at ftc.gov/WeatherEmergencies.
Scammers know natural disasters create opportunities to take advantage of people. One way they do that is by impersonating Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials to steal people’s money and personal information. FEMA impersonators often show up, call, or text people after a weather emergency and offer services like disaster grants or home inspections for a fee, usually cash up front. But these are scams: FEMA doesn’t charge people for disaster assistance.

Here’s how to spot and avoid FEMA impersonators to help keep your finances and identity safe during and after a weather emergency.

• Know that FEMA employees will never ask for money for inspections, disaster assistance, debris removal, grants, help with applications, or appeals. FEMA inspectors will not ask for your banking information. And anyone who says they work for FEMA but asks for money or financial information is a scammer.
• Verify their identity. FEMA staff and their contractors always wear an official badge with their name and photo on it. But scammers sometimes make fake badges or wear FEMA-branded clothing. If you’re unsure about someone claiming to be a FEMA representative, contact FEMA directly at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
• Don’t respond to unexpected calls and texts. If you get unexpected calls or texts from people claiming to be from FEMA, but you’ve never applied for FEMA disaster assistance, it’s highly likely to be a scam. FEMA only contacts people who’ve contacted them or applied for FEMA disaster assistance, and the agency never sends texts demanding money or personal information.

Download the FEMA Mobile App to get alerts and information and learn more about how to spot and avoid other disaster-related scams at ftc.gov/WeatherEmergencies.
Scammers know natural disasters create opportunities to take advantage of people. One way they do that is by impersonating Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials to steal people’s money and personal information. FEMA impersonators often show up, call, or text people after a weather emergency and offer services like disaster grants or home inspections for a fee, usually cash up front. But these are scams: FEMA doesn’t charge people for disaster assistance.

Here’s how to spot and avoid FEMA impersonators to help keep your finances and identity safe during and after a weather emergency.

• Know that FEMA employees will never ask for money for inspections, disaster assistance, debris removal, grants, help with applications, or appeals. FEMA inspectors will not ask for your banking information. And anyone who says they work for FEMA but asks for money or financial information is a scammer.
• Verify their identity. FEMA staff and their contractors always wear an official badge with their name and photo on it. But scammers sometimes make fake badges or wear FEMA-branded clothing. If you’re unsure about someone claiming to be a FEMA representative, contact FEMA directly at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
• Don’t respond to unexpected calls and texts. If you get unexpected calls or texts from people claiming to be from FEMA, but you’ve never applied for FEMA disaster assistance, it’s highly likely to be a scam. FEMA only contacts people who’ve contacted them or applied for FEMA disaster assistance, and the agency never sends texts demanding money or personal information.

Download the FEMA Mobile App to get alerts and information and learn more about how to spot and avoid other disaster-related scams at ftc.gov/WeatherEmergencies.
Scammers know natural disasters create opportunities to take advantage of people. One way they do that is by impersonating Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials to steal people’s money and personal information. FEMA impersonators often show up, call, or text people after a weather emergency and offer services like disaster grants or home inspections for a fee, usually cash up front. But these are scams: FEMA doesn’t charge people for disaster assistance.

Here’s how to spot and avoid FEMA impersonators to help keep your finances and identity safe during and after a weather emergency.

• Know that FEMA employees will never ask for money for inspections, disaster assistance, debris removal, grants, help with applications, or appeals. FEMA inspectors will not ask for your banking information. And anyone who says they work for FEMA but asks for money or financial information is a scammer.
• Verify their identity. FEMA staff and their contractors always wear an official badge with their name and photo on it. But scammers sometimes make fake badges or wear FEMA-branded clothing. If you’re unsure about someone claiming to be a FEMA representative, contact FEMA directly at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
• Don’t respond to unexpected calls and texts. If you get unexpected calls or texts from people claiming to be from FEMA, but you’ve never applied for FEMA disaster assistance, it’s highly likely to be a scam. FEMA only contacts people who’ve contacted them or applied for FEMA disaster assistance, and the agency never sends texts demanding money or personal information.

Download the FEMA Mobile App to get alerts and information and learn more about how to spot and avoid other disaster-related scams at ftc.gov/WeatherEmergencies.
Scammers know natural disasters create opportunities to take advantage of people. One way they do that is by impersonating Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials to steal people’s money and personal information. FEMA impersonators often show up, call, or text people after a weather emergency and offer services like disaster grants or home inspections for a fee, usually cash up front. But these are scams: FEMA doesn’t charge people for disaster assistance.

Here’s how to spot and avoid FEMA impersonators to help keep your finances and identity safe during and after a weather emergency.

• Know that FEMA employees will never ask for money for inspections, disaster assistance, debris removal, grants, help with applications, or appeals. FEMA inspectors will not ask for your banking information. And anyone who says they work for FEMA but asks for money or financial information is a scammer.
• Verify their identity. FEMA staff and their contractors always wear an official badge with their name and photo on it. But scammers sometimes make fake badges or wear FEMA-branded clothing. If you’re unsure about someone claiming to be a FEMA representative, contact FEMA directly at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
• Don’t respond to unexpected calls and texts. If you get unexpected calls or texts from people claiming to be from FEMA, but you’ve never applied for FEMA disaster assistance, it’s highly likely to be a scam. FEMA only contacts people who’ve contacted them or applied for FEMA disaster assistance, and the agency never sends texts demanding money or personal information.

Download the FEMA Mobile App to get alerts and information and learn more about how to spot and avoid other disaster-related scams at ftc.gov/WeatherEmergencies.Here’s how to spot and avoid FEMA impersonators to help keep your finances and identity safe during and after a weather emergency.

• Know that FEMA employees will never ask for money for inspections, disaster assistance, debris removal, grants, help with applications, or appeals. FEMA inspectors will not ask for your banking information. And anyone who says they work for FEMA but asks for money or financial information is a scammer.
• Verify their identity. FEMA staff and their contractors always wear an official badge with their name and photo on it. But scammers sometimes make fake badges or wear FEMA-branded clothing. If you’re unsure about someone claiming to be a FEMA representative, contact FEMA directly at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
• Don’t respond to unexpected calls and texts. If you get unexpected calls or texts from people claiming to be from FEMA, but you’ve never applied for FEMA disaster assistance, it’s highly likely to be a scam. FEMA only contacts people who’ve contacted them or applied for FEMA disaster assistance, and the agency never sends texts demanding money or personal information.

Download the FEMA Mobile App to get alerts and information and learn more about how to spot and avoid other disaster-related scams at ftc.gov/WeatherEmergencies.

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

A free Public Service

July 15, 2025

Attribution: US FTC.gov

In response to the devastating flash flooding in central Texas, many are looking for ways to get and give help. And scammers are looking to prey on people’s generosity. So how can you make sure your donations go to the people who need them and not to a scammer?

• Donate to charities you know and trust with a proven track record of dealing with disasters.
• Before you give, research the charity yourself — especially if the donation request comes on social media. Check out the charity on the Better Business Bureau’s Give.org, or Charity Watch. Find out exactly how much of your donation will go directly to the people the charity says it helps.
• Don’t donate to anyone who insists you must pay by cash, gift card, wiring money, or cryptocurrency. That’s how scammers tell you to pay. If you decide to donate, paying by credit card gives you more protections.
• Be cautious about giving to individuals on crowdfunding sites. Know that money raised in a crowdfunding campaign goes to the campaign organizer, not directly to the people or cause it’s set up to help. Review the platform’s policies — does it take measures to verify postings that ask for help after a disaster? And know that donating via crowdfunding is not tax deductible.
• Confirm the number before you text to donate. If someone asks you to donate by text, call the number on the charity’s website to confirm you have the right number to donate by text.

To learn more about how to donate safely, go to ftc.gov/charity. For advice to help you prepare for, deal with, and recover from weather emergencies and the scams that follow, check out ftc.gov/weatheremergencies.

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• Donate to charities you know and trust with a proven track record of dealing with disasters.
• Before you give, research the charity yourself — especially if the donation request comes on social media. Check out the charity on the Better Business Bureau’s Give.org, or Charity Watch. Find out exactly how much of your donation will go directly to the people the charity says it helps.
• Don’t donate to anyone who insists you must pay by cash, gift card, wiring money, or cryptocurrency. That’s how scammers tell you to pay. If you decide to donate, paying by credit card gives you more protections.
• Be cautious about giving to individuals on crowdfunding sites. Know that money raised in a crowdfunding campaign goes to the campaign organizer, not directly to the people or cause it’s set up to help. Review the platform’s policies — does it take measures to verify postings that ask for help after a disaster? And know that donating via crowdfunding is not tax deductible.
• Confirm the number before you text to donate. If someone asks you to donate by text, call the number on the charity’s website to confirm you have the right number to donate by text.

To learn more about how to donate safely, go to ftc.gov/charity. For advice to help you prepare for, deal with, and recover from weather emergencies and the scams that follow, check out ftc.gov/weatheremergencies.

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

A Free Public Service

July 11, 2025

Attribution: FTC.gov

Scammers are always “hiring” but don’t actually want to employ you. Instead, they want your money, personal information, or both. Here’s how to spot and avoid a job scam.

Scammy recruiters who claim to be recruiting for a big-name employer often reach out by email or text with a remote job offer — sometimes from a personal phone number or email account. You might get an email with an official-looking invitation for a virtual interview along with information about your job duties and job benefits.

Then they’ll move fast. Before you even interview, you might get an official-looking job offer along with paperwork that requires your personal financial information (supposedly for direct deposit). The recruiter will push for that information before they answer your questions about the job. In reality, there is no job and the “recruiter” is a scammer. Real employers won’t ask for that kind of information before they’ve actually interviewed and hired you.

How do you know if that job offer is a scam?

• Look at the sender’s email address. Is the email from a business or a personal email? Recruiters will generally email from a corporate email account, not from a personal email like @gmail.com or @yahoo.com.
• They ask for your personal information before you interview. Scammers will ask for your driver’s license, Social Security, or bank account number to fill out “employment paperwork”. Your sensitive information might be the focus of your “interview” and they might ask to get that information before they’ll talk about job duties.
• Check out the recruiter. Search online the name of the recruiter or their company to see what you find about them. Type the name with words like “scam” or “complaint.”

For more information on how to spot job scams, go to ftc.gov/jobscams.

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A Free Public Service

July 1, 2025

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

The FTC is sending out over 969,000 payments worth more than $126 million to Fortnite gamers charged for unwanted items.

If you submitted a valid claim by February 14, 2025, you’ll get the payment via the method you requested. If you get a check, cash it within 90 days. If you get a PayPal payment, accept it within 30 days. You don’t need to do anything else to get your payment.

If you submitted a claim after February 14, 2025, the FTC will review your claim. You don’t need to do anything else.

If you think you’re eligible for a refund and haven’t already submitted a claim, go to ftc.gov/Fortnite to learn if you’re eligible and how to apply. All claims are due by Wednesday, July 9, 2025.

Avoid scams related to the Fortnite refunds program. The FTC will never ask you to pay money to file a claim. If you get an email or text message that tells you to click a link or pay to get your refund, it’s a scam. Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Get more information about the FTC’s Fortnite refunds program at ftc.gov/Fortnite.

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June 28, 2025

Attribution: FTC.gov

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

“You’ve won!” are two words likely to get your attention – but sometimes it’s a scammer delivering the news. (Spoiler: you didn’t win anything.) Here’s how to spot and avoid prize scams.

These scams usually look something like this: You get a call or a text saying you’ve won thousands (or even millions) of dollars, a car, a fancy watch — or maybe all three! You don’t remember entering a contest, but free stuff sounds good. But if you reply, they’ll say you need to pay to get the prize — maybe for processing fees or taxes. No matter what they say, real sweepstakes have free prizes — any money you send is going to a scammer’s pocket…and, sorry, there is no prize.

Scammers often use names that sound like well-known sweepstakes or companies, like Publishers Clearing House (PCH) — to trick you into trusting them. Here are some things to know to avoid a prize scam.

• Real prizes are free. If there’s a charge, it’s a scam. Anyone who tells you to pay to get your prize — whether it’s for “taxes,” “shipping and handling charges,” or “processing fees” — is a scammer. Stop and walk away.
• Scammers tell you to act NOW. They’ll say it’s a limited offer and try to rush you. They don’t want you to have time to think about what’s really happening. So, if anyone tries to hurry you into paying, stop. Remember that’s something scammers do.
• Scammers use names that look like real companies. But no real sweepstakes company will demand money for a prize. If you want to double-check, reach out to the real company. Just make sure to use contact information you found yourself — not contact info from the person who called you.

Spot a prize scam? Tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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Attribution: US FTC.gov

June 27, 2025

A Free Public Service

Are you hanging up the dog tags to start college this fall? Not all schools tell the whole truth about how your GI Bill benefits will cover your tuition and fees. Learn where to get real answers and make sure your GI Bill benefits don’t get wasted by mistake.

Whether it’s you, your spouse, or your kids using your GI Bill benefits for school, research is key — especially as you’re getting ready to enroll. Some schools might tell you to take out student loans to cover costs before your education benefits pay out (but that’s not how education benefits work). Other schools say your benefits will cover all your fees (but you end up needing to apply for loans just to cover tuition).If you don’t want a surprise bill after classes have started, get help figuring out your benefits and avoid scams before you enroll:

• Start with the VA. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) manages your education benefits. Use their site first to check your eligibility, research schools you’re considering, and apply for your benefits. Need more help? The VA has accredited professionals to help you — for free.
• Use the GI Bill Comparison Tool. This VA resource will show you how your benefits pay out at approved schools — and where to contact the school’s certifying official if you have questions.
• Sign up for the Military Consumer blog and get the latest on spotting and avoiding scams. You’ll find articles to help you avoid scams while paying for school. Share what you learn with friends and family.

If you’re enrolled in a school that’s not living up to its promises, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and your state attorney general’s office.

Whether it’s you, your spouse, or your kids using your GI Bill benefits for school, research is key — especially as you’re getting ready to enroll. Some schools might tell you to take out student loans to cover costs before your education benefits pay out (but that’s not how education benefits work). Other schools say your benefits will cover all your fees (but you end up needing to apply for loans just to cover tuition).If you don’t want a surprise bill after classes have started, get help figuring out your benefits and avoid scams before you enroll:

• Start with the VA. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) manages your education benefits. Use their site first to check your eligibility, research schools you’re considering, and apply for your benefits. Need more help? The VA has accredited professionals to help you — for free.
• Use the GI Bill Comparison Tool. This VA resource will show you how your benefits pay out at approved schools — and where to contact the school’s certifying official if you have questions.
• Sign up for the Military Consumer blog and get the latest on spotting and avoiding scams. You’ll find articles to help you avoid scams while paying for school. Share what you learn with friends and family.

If you’re enrolled in a school that’s not living up to its promises, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and your state attorney general’s office.

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

Attribution: US FTC.gov

A Free Public Service

June 21, 2025

Scammers create fake profiles and pretend to be someone they’re not — maybe a businessperson, servicemember, or member of an international organization, with profile details that seems to support their story. They try to become your friend, and as you start trusting them, they have explanations for why they can’t meet in person. And then, eventually, they ask you for money — maybe to finally travel to see you or to help them out of a crisis.

When they ask for money, these scammers will often tell you how to send it. People report that scammers told them to wire money through a company like Western Union or MoneyGram, send the numbers on gift cards, use a payment app, or send cryptocurrency. 

If you’re ever in a situation like this:

• Talk to your friends or family about your new online relationship. See what they say about the person.
• Search online for information about this person and their story, plus the word “scammer.” Have other people posted similar stories?
• Do a reverse image search of the person’s profile picture. Is it associated with another name or with details that don’t match up?
• Don’t send money to someone you’ve never met in person. If that person asks for money, no matter how friendly the online relationship seems, it’s probably a scam.

If you think someone you met on social media is a scammer, cut ties. Tell the social media platform, and then tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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Attribution: US FTC.gov

A Free Public Service

June 19, 2025

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

Are you hanging up the dog tags to start college this fall? Not all schools tell the whole truth about how your GI Bill benefits will cover your tuition and fees. Learn where to get real answers and make sure your GI Bill benefits don’t get wasted by mistake.

Whether it’s you, your spouse, or your kids using your GI Bill benefits for school, research is key — especially as you’re getting ready to enroll. Some schools might tell you to take out student loans to cover costs before your education benefits pay out (but that’s not how education benefits work). Other schools say your benefits will cover all your fees (but you end up needing to apply for loans just to cover tuition).

If you don’t want a surprise bill after classes have started, get help figuring out your benefits and avoid scams before you enroll:

• Start with the VA. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) manages your education benefits. Use their site first to check your eligibility, research schools you’re considering, and apply for your benefits. Need more help? The VA has accredited professionals to help you — for free.
• Use the GI Bill Comparison Tool. This VA resource will show you how your benefits pay out at approved schools — and where to contact the school’s certifying official if you have questions.
• Sign up for the Military Consumer blog and get the latest on spotting and avoiding scams. You’ll find articles to help you avoid scams while paying for school. Share what you learn with friends and family.

If you’re enrolled in a school that’s not living up to its promises, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and your state attorney general’s office.

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A Free Public Service

June 9, 2025

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

Do you feel like you’re getting more emails from strangers than messages from people you actually know? These unexpected messages are often phishing scams trying to steal your money and personal information. FTC data shows that email was the top method scammers used to contact people in 2024. To help you avoid these scams, here’s what to know.

Scammers send phishing emails pretending to be companies you might know and trust — like a bank or utility company. Their goal: get you to click links or open attachments. They might say there’s an overdue invoice, or that you need to confirm your credit card or bank account number to fix a problem. These are scams. Not only is the scammer trying to steal your money, but if you give them information like your Social Security number or date of birth, they could try to steal your identity.

To help protect yourself from phishing scams:

• Don’t click links or download attachments in unexpected messages. If you think the message could be legit, contact the company or bank using a phone number, email, or website you know is real.
• Use filters. Popular email providers (like Gmail or Yahoo Mail) have strong spam filters turned on by default. But if any spam gets into your inbox, mark it as spam or junk.
• Protect your accounts by using two-factor authentication. Requiring two or more credentials to log in makes it harder for scammers to get into your account, even if they get your username and password.

If you got a phishing message:

• Forward phishing emails to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at reportphishing@apwg.org.
• Report the phishing attempt to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
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A Free Public Service

May/22/2025

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

ELDER ABUSE SCAMS

Attribution: US FTC.gov

Older adults may come from different backgrounds, but one thing they have in common is wisdom gained from life experience. This Older Americans Month, whatever your age, the FTC encourages you to share your wisdom about avoiding scams and fraud with the older adults in your life.

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