Veterans and their families should be cautious about unexpected postcards, letters, emails, phone calls, and online advertisements promising “extra monthly veterans benefits.” A recent scam has involved postcards claiming that veterans or their spouses may qualify for additional benefits through a supposed “Veterans Savings Program.” According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), this program does…
Natural disasters can create an urgent need for financial assistance, home repairs, temporary housing, food, and other essential services. Unfortunately, scammers may take advantage of these situations by pretending to represent charities, government agencies, insurance companies, or construction businesses. The Disaster Relief Scam 2026 refers to various fraud schemes designed to exploit people affected by…
Artificial intelligence has made many everyday tasks easier, but the same technology can also be misused by criminals. One growing concern is AI voice impersonation scams, where scammers use voice-cloning technology to make fraudulent calls or messages sound like they come from someone the victim knows or trusts. A scammer may imitate a family member,…
Receiving a phone call, text message, or email from someone claiming to be an FBI agent can be frightening. Scammers know this and use the reputation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to make their stories sound convincing. The fake FBI scam is a type of government impersonation fraud in which criminals pretend to…
Artificial intelligence has made it easier to create realistic images, videos and voices. While these technologies have many legitimate uses, scammers are increasingly using AI-generated content to make impersonation scams appear more convincing. An AI deepfake scam occurs when criminals use artificial intelligence to create or manipulate audio, video or images to make it appear…
Social media advertising has become a convenient way for businesses to reach customers. Unfortunately, scammers also use platforms such as Facebook and Instagram to promote fraudulent products, fake online stores, investment opportunities, giveaways, and other deceptive offers. A social media advertisement can look professional and still lead to an unreliable website. The Federal Trade Commission…
Searching Google for a company’s bill-payment page may seem like a quick and convenient way to pay a utility, insurance, medical, phone, internet, or other bill. However, consumers should be careful when clicking search advertisements. Fraudsters and deceptive operators can use online advertising and misleading website designs to make a payment service appear connected to…
Artificial intelligence is making online communication more sophisticated, and scammers can use AI-assisted tools to create convincing travel-related messages, websites, and customer-service interactions. Travelers may receive fake airline emails, hotel messages, booking confirmations, refund notices, or customer-service messages that appear legitimate. The goal may be to persuade the recipient to click a link, provide personal…
Buying a vehicle online can save time and make it easier to compare prices, models, and dealerships. However, consumers should also be aware of fake car dealership websites designed to look like legitimate businesses. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently warned about scammers impersonating real car dealerships online. According to the FTC, criminals may clone…
