If your new online friend or romantic interest says they have an emergency and need money, it might not mean they have bad luck. It’s more likely they’re a scammer trying to grab your money. So, how can you tell if an online “friend” is a fraud?
It’s hard to know who people really are when you meet them online. Scammers create fake profiles on social media, as well as game and dating sites. They might send you a friend request, start a conversation and friendship, chatting or texting daily. Surprisingly soon, they might say they’re in love with you. Then, suddenly, they’ll have an expensive emergency — a lost job, failed business, or sister who needs an operation — and appeal to you for gift cards, money transfers, even cryptocurrency.
Here are some sure signs you’re dealing with a romance scammer:

• They can’t meet you in person. It’s an early warning sign if they can’t meet because they’re outside the country on an oil rig, in the military, or with an international organization. Those are lies.
• They ask you for money. That’s always a scam. No matter the so-called emergency, they’re only trying to steal your money.
• They tell you how to send the money. Which is exactly what scammers do, focusing on ways to get your money quickly. Where it’s also hard for you to get it back. (Crypto, gift cards, wire transfer, payment apps…)

If you think someone is a scammer, cut off contact. Tell the social media platform, game site, and dating site, and then tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. 

By
 
Jim Kreidler
Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

People are getting letters in the mail from a law firm saying that one of their clients has died and they’re looking for the heir. You are, they say, that heir! (Spoiler alert: you’re not.) The letter goes on to explain their offer: they want to split the proceeds between you, some charities, and their law firm. But what’s really going on?
This is not a lawyer — it’s a scammer. That’s the most important thing to know. But the letter sounds convincing, explaining that the firm has tried to contact family members. No heir, they say, has come forward to collect the multi-million-dollar life insurance policy or inheritance. It might be tempting to reply, just to see if you really can get some of the money. But that’s where the scam kicks in. If you contact them, they’ll try to get your personal and financial information, like your Social Security or bank account numbers, your money — or all of the above. Oh, and that life insurance policy or inheritance? It doesn’t exist at all. It’s a scam.
Here’s what to do if you get one of these letters:

• Don’t respond. Keep your money and information to yourself. Never send money or information to a stranger who promises big rewards. That’s always a scam.
• Pass this information on to a friend. You probably throw away these kinds of letters. But you also probably know someone who could use a friendly reminder that these are scams.
• Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

By
Gema de las Heras
Consumer Education Specialist, FTC
July 3, 2024

Do you need to apply for or renew your passport? If you search online, the top results might show official-looking websites that say they can renew or get you a passport. Some of these websites are private companies that charge you for services that are free on the U.S. Department of State website…while others are scammers trying to take your money and personal information.
Travel.State.Gov is the official government website for passport services. Some companies registered with the U.S. Department of State charge extra fees to submit your application and pick up your passport if you’re busy or need help. But you won’t get your passport faster than if you applied on your own without the extra cost.
But scammers also set up sites with similar names, flags, and seals, pretending to be affiliated with the government. For $60 to a few hundred dollars (on top of the regular passport fee), they promise to help you get a passport. But if you pay, you’ll lose your money and might be giving your personal information to scammers who could sell it to identity thieves.
To avoid passport scams, know this:

• The U.S. Department of State is the government agency that handles passport services, but your top online search results might be phony passport application websites. Go directly to Travel.State.Gov to avoid clicking on a scam website.
• There’s a charge to get a passport, but the forms to renew or apply are free. Anyone who asks you to pay for forms is a scammer.
• It’s free to set up an appointment if you need a passport to travel right away. The Department of State’s passport agencies and centers don’t charge for appointments, and paying someone to set it up for you won’t get your passport faster.

Contact [email protected] if you spot a scam passport application, website, or if you paid someone who turned out to be a scammer. And tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Visit IdentityTheft.gov if someone has misused your personal information.