Impersonation

Two cons stalk people shopping for health insurance under 65: junk plans dressed up as 'Obamacare' coverage, and rogue brokers who switch your real Marketplace plan without asking. Here's how the FTC's $100 million Benefytt case worked, what CMS found in 2024, and the one safe way to enroll.

A polite email from your 'CEO,' a trusted vendor, or 'HR' asks to wire funds, reroute payroll, buy gift cards, or send employee W-2s. It's all one scam — business email compromise — which the FBI ties to $3 billion in reported losses in 2025 and $55.5 billion in 2013–2023 cumulative exposed losses. Here's every major variant on one map, and the single verification rule that stops all of them.

States really do hold billions in forgotten bank accounts, deposits, and refunds — which is exactly why the fake version works. A call, text, or official-looking letter says money is waiting; then comes a 'processing fee' or a request for your Social Security number. Here is how to tell the real program from the imposters, and the free search that settles it in two minutes.

That recorded voice about your expiring auto warranty was never your dealer. It's a sales machine for vehicle service contracts that may cover nothing — and one operation behind it made billions of calls before the FCC ordered it cut off the phone network and issued a record fine. Here's the script, the mailed 'Final Notice' version, and the one habit that beats both.

In the final act of a tech-support or government impersonation scam, a 'courier' arranged by the scammers arrives at the victim's home to collect cash or gold bars 'for safekeeping.' The FBI logged over $55 million in losses to this scheme in just eight months. Here's how the pickup works, the one rule that defeats it, and what to do if a courier is already on the way.

A caller posing as a federal agent, your bank's fraud team, or tech support says the only way to pay a fine — or 'protect' your savings — is to feed cash into a Bitcoin ATM and scan their QR code. No real agency or business will ever say that. Here is the script, the numbers behind it, and the pause that beats it.

Telemarketers promise to settle your credit card debt for pennies on the dollar, charge an enrollment fee before doing anything, and tell you to stop paying your creditors. The upfront fee isn't just a red flag — for debt relief sold by phone, it's illegal under federal law. Here's the script, the rule that exposes it, and what to do if you already enrolled.

Scammers read obituaries too. Within days of a death, families get calls from fake funeral home staff demanding more money, fake funeral livestream links that harvest card numbers, and 'collectors' chasing debts the dead don't owe — while identity thieves quietly open accounts in the deceased's name. Here's how each play works, and the one verification habit that stops them all.

In the US, a 'notario público' is not a lawyer — but fraudsters use the title to charge for immigration 'help' that can wreck a case: blank forms, hostage documents, filings that never happen. Here's who is actually allowed to give immigration legal advice, how to verify them in two minutes, and why reporting is safe.

Immigration scams charge for help that backfires, impersonate USCIS or ICE to threaten deportation, and promise visas no one can guarantee. They can cost your money and your case. Here is how they work, how to find real legal help, and why reporting them is safe.

Phony invoices for office supplies, bogus business-directory listings, fake domain renewal notices, look-alike trademark fee demands — all engineered so the person who pays the bills just pays. Here's each variant, the FTC rule that says you can keep unordered merchandise for free, and the one process change that stops all of them.

Government imposters, fake tech support, prize callers — different stories, same ending: 'go buy a gift card and read me the numbers.' Here is why scammers insist on gift cards, the store-run script they use to keep you moving, and the phone call to the card issuer that can still save your money.

A message says you've been selected for a government grant — sometimes it even comes from a friend's account. Then comes the ask: a small processing fee by gift card, wire, or crypto. Here is how grant scams work, the three truths that end them, and what to do if you paid.

A caller claiming to be a deputy or U.S. Marshal says you missed jury duty, a warrant is out, and you can avoid arrest by paying now — with gift cards, a prepaid card, or a crypto ATM. Real courts never do this. Here is how the scam runs, the caller-ID trick behind it, and the one free call that ends it.

Fake debt collectors call with your name, a made-up balance, and a deadline — pay today or face arrest, a lawsuit, or wage garnishment. Here is the one threat that instantly exposes them, the written validation notice every real collector owes you, and the call-back move that ends the scam in two minutes.

Scammers pose as the Department of Education or your loan servicer, promise forgiveness that does not exist, and charge illegal upfront fees — one operation took $45.9 million before the FTC shut it down. Here is how the pitch works and the one rule that beats it: real help never cold-calls, and it never costs money.

The FTC says people reported losing $15.9 billion to fraud in 2025. Behind that figure is a clear story: who scammers impersonate, how they reach you, and how they get paid. Here is what the latest data shows — and what it means for protecting yourself.

A call, letter, or message says you have won a lottery or sweepstakes — you just need to pay a fee, tax, or "customs charge" first. That single request is the whole scam. Real prizes are free; here is how the con works and the one rule that ends it.

Imposters posing as the VA or your bank, "advisors" who charge to file claims that are always free, and pension poachers after your benefits — veterans and servicemembers lose hundreds of millions a year. Here is a clear guide to the scams aimed at the military community and how to shut them down.

A letter or email says a wealthy stranger died with no heirs and you can claim a fortune — you just have to cover some fees and taxes first, and prove who you are. It is the classic advance-fee or "419" scam. Here is how it works and why the inheritance never exists.

A caller says you're past due and your electricity, gas, or water will be cut off within the hour unless you pay right now — by gift card or prepaid card. Real utilities never work this way. Here is how the threat-to-disconnect scam works and how to shut it down.

An email from a supplier you know says their bank account has changed — please send this month's payment to the new details. It is business email compromise, which the FBI ties to more than $55 billion in reported losses between 2013 and 2023. We take one apart line by line, and show the single rule that stops every version.

A text from an unknown number says it's your son or daughter on a new phone — and they need money urgently. We take the "Hi Mum" family-impersonation scam apart message by message, and show the one check that ends it.

A caller says they are your bank's fraud team and that you must move your money to a "safe account" to protect it. That instruction is the scam. Here is how the call works, the tells, and the free move that beats it.

When tragedy is in the news, fake charities appear within hours — copycat names, urgent appeals, and payment by gift card or crypto. Here is how disaster donation scams work, and how to give so your money reaches real victims instead of a scammer.

A call or text says your Social Security number is "suspended", you owe back taxes, or there is a warrant for your arrest — pay now by gift card or crypto. It is a scam. Here is how it works and the free move that beats it.

Older adults lost nearly $4.9 billion to fraud in 2024, and most never tell anyone. Here is how adult children can protect an aging parent — the conversations to have, the defenses to set up now, and exactly who to call if money has already moved.

Business email compromise alone drained close to $2.8 billion in 2024, and small firms get hit hardest because one rushed employee can move the money. Here is how an owner builds the controls — approval rules, out-of-band verification, MFA, and staff training — so no single email can drain the account.

A text or email saying your tax refund is "ready" and asking you to click a link is a classic impersonation scam. Here is how it works, the tells, and the free move that defeats it.