Online Scam & Fraud Recovery: Protect Yourself

If the scam happened within the last 24-48 hours, time is critical. Follow these steps in the next 30-60 minutes:

**Stop All Contact (0-5 minutes)**: - **Block the scammer** on all platforms (phone, email, messaging apps, social media) - **Do not send any more money** - scammers often request "one more payment" (customs fees, taxes, emergency funds) - **Do not respond** to any messages - scammers may try urgency tactics or threats

**Contact Payment Provider Immediately (5-30 minutes)**:

**If you paid by credit card**: Call the disputes/fraud department (number on back of card) - State: "I was defrauded. I need to dispute a charge for $[amount] on [date] to [merchant]. This was a scam." - File chargeback for reason code "fraud" or "services not rendered" - You have 60 days to file, but **do it today** - earlier is better

**If you sent wire transfer**: Call immediately (reversal only possible if funds not yet picked up - window is hours, not days) - **MoneyGram**: 1-800-666-3947 - **Western Union**: 1-800-325-6000 - Provide: Your name, transfer control number (MTCN for MoneyGram, MTCN for Western Union), recipient name, amount - Request: Immediate reversal/cancellation of transfer

**If you sent gift cards**: Contact card issuer with card numbers and receipts - **Apple iTunes**: 1-800-275-2273 - **Google Play**: support.google.com/googleplay → Contact Us - **Amazon**: 1-888-280-4331 - Explain the scam, provide card numbers (front), receipt codes - Recovery window: Hours (if scammer hasn't redeemed codes yet)

**If you used bank transfer/ACH/Zelle**: Call your bank's fraud department immediately - Request: ACH reversal (possible within 5-7 days depending on bank) - For Zelle: Report "unauthorized transaction" (bank may deny, but try) - Ask to freeze account if scammer has account/routing numbers

**If you sent cryptocurrency**: - Contact exchange platform you used (Coinbase, Binance, etc.) - Report wallet address scammer provided - Expect no recovery - cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible - Still report to FBI IC3.gov with wallet addresses (FBI can trace blockchain transactions)

**Protect Your Accounts (30-60 minutes)**: - **Change passwords** on all accounts scammer may have accessed (email, banking, social media) - **Enable 2-factor authentication (2FA)** on all critical accounts - **Freeze bank accounts** if you gave scammer account/routing numbers or online banking credentials - **Credit freeze**: If scammer has your SSN, driver's license, or other identity info, place security freeze at all three credit bureaus: - **Equifax**: equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/ or 1-800-685-1111 - **Experian**: experian.com/freeze/center.html or 1-888-397-3742 - **TransUnion**: transunion.com/credit-freeze or 1-888-909-8872

**FBI IC3 Report (10-15 minutes) - ic3.gov**:

1. Go to **ic3.gov** → Click "File a Complaint" 2. Complete complaint form: - **Victim Information**: Your name, address, phone, email - **Subject Information**: Scammer's details - Name(s) used - Phone number(s) - Email address(es) - Website URL(s) - Social media profiles - **Cryptocurrency wallet addresses** (critical - FBI can trace blockchain) - Physical address (if known) - **Incident Description**: - How scammer first contacted you (dating site, email, phone call, social media, job board) - Complete timeline (dates of first contact, when scam began, when you sent money) - Exact scam tactics used (romance, investment, tech support, etc.) - How you were manipulated (urgency, fear, greed, romance) - **Financial Information**: - Total amount lost: $[XXXX] - Payment method (wire, crypto, gift card, credit card) - Transaction dates and amounts - Where money was sent (wire transfer recipient name/location, crypto wallet address, gift card type) - Bank/payment processor information - **Upload Evidence**: - Screenshots of messages/emails (upload as PDFs or images) - Transaction receipts - Wire transfer confirmation - Photos of gift cards (front, receipt with codes) - Any other documentation 3. Submit complaint → Receive complaint number (save this)

**What happens**: FBI IC3 receives **3.4 million complaints annually**. Analysts review complaints and refer to: - FBI field offices for investigation - FBI task forces (Romance Scam Task Force, Cyber Crime Task Force) - International law enforcement through Interpol (for foreign scammers)

**Important**: The FBI **cannot provide status updates** on your complaint (too many complaints, too few agents). You will **not** receive a call back unless they need additional information. If assets are recovered and restitution is ordered by a court, you may be contacted years later.

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**FTC ReportFraud.ftc.gov (5-10 minutes)**:

1. Go to **ReportFraud.ftc.gov** → Click "Report Now" 2. Select category: - **Online Shopping** (fake website, non-delivery) - **Imposter Scams** (government, business, romance) - **Investment Scams** (cryptocurrency, fake trading platforms) - **Tech Support** (fake virus pop-ups, unnecessary services) - **Jobs & Making Money** (fake employment, mystery shopper) - **Text Messages, Calls, Emails** (phishing, smishing) 3. Provide scammer information: - Company/individual name - Website URL - Phone number, email address - Physical address (if known) 4. Describe what happened: - **Use specific details**: "On [DATE], I received a text message claiming to be from [COMPANY] saying my account was compromised. I clicked the link and entered my banking credentials on a fake website at [FAKE URL]. Within hours, $[AMOUNT] was withdrawn from my account." - **Include dates, amounts, payment methods** - **Explain how you paid and where money went** 5. Upload evidence (optional but helpful): - Screenshots - Emails/texts from scammer - Transaction receipts 6. Provide your contact information 7. Submit → Receive reference number (save this)

**What happens**: Your complaint enters the **Consumer Sentinel Network** database, accessible by **2,800+ law enforcement agencies** (federal, state, local, international). FTC uses complaints to: - **Identify patterns**: Hundreds of complaints against same scammer → FTC opens investigation - **Prioritize enforcement**: Companies with highest complaint volumes get sued first - **Build cases**: Complaints become evidence in lawsuits - **Distribute refunds**: When FTC settles case, they use complaint database to identify victims for refunds

**FTC distributed $339M in refunds in 2024** - but only to people who filed complaints or appeared in company records. **If you don't file a complaint, you won't get refunds from future enforcement.**

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**Local Police Report (30-60 minutes)**:

Visit or call your local police department to file a fraud report. Provide: - Printed copies of FBI IC3 and FTC complaint confirmations - All evidence (emails, texts, transaction receipts) - Complete timeline written out - Scammer contact information

**Why file with local police** (even though they often can't investigate): 1. Creates **official police report** (case number) 2. Required by some banks/insurance companies for fraud claims 3. May help if scammer is **local** (rare, but possible) 4. Protects you if scammer **used your identity** to commit other crimes (you have official record you were victim)

**Reality check**: Local police **rarely investigate online scams** (lack of resources, jurisdiction issues, scammer usually overseas). But having a police report number is valuable for insurance claims, bank disputes, and proving you were a victim if identity theft occurs.

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**State Attorney General (Optional but Recommended) (5-10 minutes)**:

Google "[YOUR STATE] Attorney General consumer complaint" → File online complaint

Example state AG complaint portals: - **California**: oag.ca.gov/consumers - **New York**: ag.ny.gov/consumer-frauds-bureau/filing-consumer-complaint - **Texas**: texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection/file-consumer-complaint - **Florida**: myfloridalegal.com/Contact.nsf/ContactUs

**Why file with State AG**: - Some states **actively mediate** disputes (40-60% resolution rate for legitimate business disputes) - State AG lawsuits often result in **faster settlements** than federal cases - Creates **state-level enforcement database** - May help if scammer is **in-state business** (still operating)

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**National Elder Fraud Hotline (If 60+ Years Old) - 833-FRAUD-11**:

Call **833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311)** Monday-Friday 10am-6pm ET

Services provided: - **Victim support and counseling** - **Assistance filing FBI IC3 and FTC complaints** (they can help you over phone) - **Referrals to local victim services** (free counseling, legal aid) - **Connection to Adult Protective Services** if needed - **Explanation of your options** and realistic recovery expectations

**2024 elder fraud statistics**: $4.9B in losses (FBI, 147,000 complaints, 46% increase). Hotline received **15,000+ calls** in 2024. You are not alone.

**Credit Card Chargeback (If Applicable)**:

If you paid by **credit card** (even if used through PayPal, Venmo, or other platform), you have **Fair Credit Billing Act** protections:

**Timeline**: File within **60 days** of statement date showing the charge (not transaction date)

**How to file**: 1. Call credit card issuer's **disputes department** (phone number on back of card) 2. Say: "I need to file a chargeback for a fraudulent transaction" 3. Provide: - Charge amount and date - Merchant name (as appears on statement) - Reason code: **"Fraud"** or **"Services Not Rendered"** or **"Goods Not As Described"** - Brief explanation: "This was an online scam. I was defrauded into paying for [investment/tech support/product] that was fake. I did not receive what was promised." 4. Submit supporting documentation: - Emails/messages from scammer - Screenshots of fake website - FBI IC3 complaint number - FTC complaint number

**What happens**: - Issuer **provisionally credits** your account within **10 business days** (temporary refund while investigating) - Issuer sends chargeback to merchant's bank - Merchant has **45 days** to respond with proof they provided goods/services - If merchant doesn't respond or can't prove delivery: **You win permanently** (provisional credit becomes permanent) - If merchant provides compelling evidence: **Chargeback reversed** (provisional credit removed)

**Success rate**: 60-75% for fraud chargebacks (most scam "merchants" don't respond or can't prove they delivered legitimate goods/services)

**Important**: Filing chargeback may **close your PayPal/eBay dispute** if you also filed there. Choose one path: platform dispute OR chargeback, not both simultaneously. For scams, **chargeback is usually better**.

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**PayPal Dispute (If Applicable)**:

If you paid via PayPal (even without buyer protection), you can still file dispute:

**Timeline**: **180 days from payment date**

**How to file**: 1. Log into PayPal.com → **Activity** 2. Find transaction → **Report a Problem** 3. Select: - **"I didn't receive my item"** (if you paid for product/service never delivered) - **"Item significantly not as described"** (if scam involved fake investment, tech support, etc.) - **"Unauthorized transaction"** (if scammer accessed your account without permission) 4. Complete dispute form: - Explain what happened (be specific: dates, what scammer promised, what actually happened) - Upload evidence (screenshots, emails, transaction records) 5. **Escalate to claim** after 20 days if seller doesn't respond

**What happens**: - PayPal investigates (average 14 days, up to 30 days) - Both parties submit evidence - PayPal makes final decision based on evidence

**Success rate**: - **Goods/services disputes**: 50-70% (PayPal sides with buyer if seller can't prove delivery) - **Unauthorized transaction**: 80%+ (if you have strong evidence account was hacked) - **Investment/romance scams**: 10-20% (PayPal often denies because you "authorized" the payment, even though you were defrauded)

**Tip**: In dispute description, use language **"This was fraud. I was scammed. The recipient misrepresented what they were providing."** - "fraud" and "scam" are stronger than "I changed my mind" or "I'm unhappy."

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**Bank Fraud Report (For ACH, Wire, Zelle, Venmo, CashApp)**:

**ACH/Bank Transfer** (5-7 day reversal window):

Contact your bank's fraud department and request: 1. **ACH reversal** (if within 5-7 business days of transfer) 2. **Fraud investigation** under **Regulation E** (Electronic Fund Transfer Act)

**Regulation E timeline**: - Report within **2 days**: $50 maximum liability - Report within **2-60 days**: $500 maximum liability - Report after **60 days**: Unlimited liability (bank doesn't have to refund)

**Important**: Regulation E covers **unauthorized transactions** (someone accessed your account without permission). It does **not** cover **authorized-but-fraudulent transactions** (you sent money but were scammed). However, some banks have additional fraud protection programs - ask.

**Zelle scams** (very difficult to recover): - Zelle is **designed for friends and family** (not goods/services) - **NO buyer protection** - Transactions are **instant and irreversible** - Your only hope: Report to bank as "unauthorized transaction" immediately (within hours) - **Reality**: Banks deny most Zelle scam refunds because you authorized the payment, even though you were defrauded

**Venmo/CashApp scams** (very difficult to recover): - Same as Zelle - designed for friends/family, no buyer protection - Contact Venmo (venmo.com/support) or CashApp (cash.app/help) to report fraud - File dispute through app (Activity → Transaction → Report a Problem) - **Success rate**: 5-10% (apps typically deny because you authorized payment)

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**Check FTC Refund Programs (ftc.gov/refunds)**:

Visit **ftc.gov/refunds** and search for: - Company/scammer name you paid - Type of scam (tech support, investment, job training, etc.)

**Active refund programs as of 2025**: - **Restoro/Reimage** (tech support): $25.5M, 736,375 PayPal payments (March 2025) - if you paid Restoro or Reimage 2018-2023, check if you received PayPal payment - **Cerebral** (telehealth subscription scam): $5M to 40,249 consumers (May 2025) - if you paid Cerebral and had difficulty canceling, file claim - **Avast** (privacy deception): $16.5M - claims period may still be open - **Career Step** (job training scam): $15.5M to 42,794 consumers (March 2025) - if you paid Career Step for job training 2018-2023, check status - **Care.com** (job listing scam): $8.1M to 194,207 consumers (June 2025) - if you paid Care.com subscriptions 2015-2023, check status

**How to claim**: 1. Check if refund program matches your scam 2. Click on refund program link → Follow instructions 3. Typical claim process: - Complete online claim form - Provide proof of payment (bank statement, receipt, screenshot) - Provide contact information - Submit by deadline (typically 60-90 days from announcement) 4. FTC reviews claims and sends refunds (checks or direct deposit) 3-6 months later

**Set reminder**: Check ftc.gov/refunds every **3 months**. New refund programs announced regularly. It may take **2-4 years** from your scam to FTC settlement to refund distribution - but you won't know unless you check.

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**Contact SEC (For Investment Scams) - sec.gov/tcr**:

If scam involved **securities** (stocks, bonds, investment contracts, cryptocurrency investment platforms):

1. File complaint at **sec.gov/tcr** (SEC Tips, Complaints and Referrals) 2. Provide: - Company/platform name and website - Type of investment offered (crypto, stocks, forex, etc.) - How you were contacted (social media, email, phone) - Amounts invested and dates - Any documents or contracts provided - All evidence (screenshots, emails, platform login info) 3. Submit

**What happens**: SEC investigates investment fraud and can: - Issue **emergency asset freeze** (freeze scammer's U.S. bank accounts before they move money) - File lawsuits seeking **disgorgement** (return of ill-gotten gains to victims) - Coordinate with **CFTC** (Commodity Futures Trading Commission) for crypto fraud

**Recent SEC actions**: - **Bitconnect**: SEC obtained asset freeze, some victim recovery - **Ripple/XRP**: Partial disgorgement ordered - **Various crypto platforms**: Ongoing investigations with asset freezes

**Recovery timeline**: SEC cases take **2-5 years**. If SEC freezes assets and obtains disgorgement, victims may receive **partial recovery** (typically 10-40 cents on the dollar).

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**State Securities Regulator (For Investment Scams)**:

Search **nasaa.org** (North American Securities Administrators Association) → Find your state → File complaint

**Why file with state regulators**: - State securities divisions often **more responsive** than SEC - May **mediate directly** with scammer if in-state - Can file **state court lawsuits** (faster than federal) - Coordinate with other states for **multi-state enforcement**

**Some states actively help victims**: Massachusetts, Texas, California, New York securities divisions have recovered millions for investors in state-level actions.

**Set Calendar Reminders (Every 3 Months)**:

Create recurring reminders to check:

1. **ftc.gov/refunds** - New refund programs announced monthly 2. **justice.gov/criminal/criminal-fraud/victim-witness** - DOJ victim restitution programs 3. **your state AG website** - State-level settlements 4. **classaction.org** - Class action settlements (if scam was widespread)

**Sign Up for Email Alerts**:

- **FTC email list**: ftc.gov/subscribe → Check "Refunds" category - **FBI IC3 email alerts**: Currently not available (FBI doesn't send individual updates), but check ic3.gov/PSA quarterly for new public service announcements - **State AG email list**: Most state AGs have consumer alert email subscriptions

**How Long to Monitor**: **2-4 years minimum**

**Example timeline**: - **Year 0**: You get scammed (2024), file FBI IC3 and FTC complaints - **Year 1**: FTC receives 5,000 complaints against same scammer, opens investigation (2025) - **Year 2**: FTC files lawsuit, scammer settles for $50M (2026) - **Year 3**: FTC processes claims and sends refunds (2027)

**You won't know about the refund program unless you check ftc.gov/refunds or signed up for email alerts.**

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**Monitor for Class Action Lawsuits (classaction.org)**:

If your scam was **widespread** (thousands of victims, well-known company), monitor **classaction.org** for:

**Active class actions related to scams/fraud**: - Search "[company name] class action" - Search "[type of scam] class action" (e.g., "romance scam class action")

**Recent examples**: - **T-Mobile data breach**: $350M settlement, up to $25K per person (data breach scam follow-ups) - **Equifax data breach**: $425M settlement, up to $20K per person (phishing scam follow-ups) - **Facebook data privacy**: Multiple settlements for data misuse (enabling scammers)

**How to join**: - Most class actions are **opt-in** (you must file claim form to participate) - Claims deadline typically **60-90 days** from settlement approval - Payouts are usually **small** ($10-$100 per person) unless you have extraordinary damages

**Set alert**: Go to classaction.org → Sign up for email alerts in categories: "Data Breach," "Consumer Fraud," "Financial Services"

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**Avoid "Recovery Scams" (Critical)**:

**WARNING**: After reporting your scam, you may be contacted by: - "Law firms" claiming they can recover your money for upfront fee - "Computer security companies" offering to "decrypt" your stolen funds - "Government agents" (fake FBI, fake FTC) claiming you're entitled to refund but need to pay "processing fee"

**These are ALL scams** (secondary scams targeting desperate victims).

**Red flags of recovery scams**: 1. **Upfront fee required** - "Pay us $5,000 and we'll recover your $50,000" 2. **Guarantee of recovery** - "We guarantee 100% recovery" (no legitimate firm guarantees this) 3. **Unsolicited contact** - They contact you (you didn't reach out to them) 4. **Pressure tactics** - "Act now or you'll lose your chance," "Limited time offer" 5. **Payment via wire transfer/crypto/gift cards** - Legitimate attorneys accept checks or credit cards

**Legitimate law enforcement NEVER**: - Charges fees to recover scam losses - Guarantees recovery - Demands upfront payment - Contacts you unsolicited about recovery

**CFTC Warning**: "Recovery scams are a form of advance-fee fraud—when you are asked to pay upfront for the chance of getting a much bigger sum of money later. Recovery frauds target victims already harmed by other frauds."

**If contacted by "recovery service"**: 1. **Hang up immediately** 2. **Do not pay any fees** 3. **Report to FBI IC3.gov** as a recovery scam attempt 4. **Verify with legitimate attorney**: If you want legal help, search your state bar association attorney directory (your state's bar website) and contact licensed attorneys directly

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**Identity Theft Monitoring (If Scammer Has Your Personal Info)**:

If scammer obtained your: - Social Security Number - Driver's license - Passport - Banking account/routing numbers - Credit card numbers

**Immediate actions**: 1. **Place credit freeze** at all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) - free and prevents new accounts 2. **Sign up for credit monitoring**: Free options: - **AnnualCreditReport.com** - Free weekly credit reports (normally annual, but extended during fraud) - **Credit Karma** - Free credit monitoring with alerts - Your bank/credit card - Many offer free credit monitoring to customers 3. **Monitor for identity theft**: Watch for: - New accounts you didn't open - Credit inquiries you didn't authorize - Tax return issues (scammer filed fake return with your SSN) - Government benefits issues (scammer claimed benefits using your identity)

**If identity theft occurs**: - File report at **identitytheft.gov** (FTC Identity Theft portal) - Creates official "Identity Theft Report" (use this to dispute fraudulent accounts) - Follow FTC's recovery plan (step-by-step guide)

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**Tax Implications of Scam Losses**:

**You may be able to deduct scam losses on taxes** (consult tax professional):

**Casualty and Theft Loss Deduction** (IRS Form 4684): - Available for **federally declared disasters** or **qualified theft losses** - Scams **do** qualify as theft (per IRS Revenue Ruling 2009-9)

**Requirements**: 1. File **police report** (local police or FBI IC3 complaint) 2. Document loss (bank statements, transaction records) 3. Losses must exceed **$100 + 10% of AGI** (Adjusted Gross Income)

**Example**: - Your AGI: $50,000 - 10% of AGI: $5,000 - Threshold: $5,000 + $100 = $5,100 - Scam loss: $10,000 - **Deductible amount**: $10,000 - $5,100 = $4,900

**Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (2017) limitation**: Casualty and theft losses are only deductible if they occurred in a **federally declared disaster area** (2018-2025). However, **theft losses** (including scams) may still qualify under certain circumstances.

**Consult CPA or Enrolled Agent**: Tax laws are complex. If you lost significant money ($10,000+), consult a tax professional about deductibility.

**IRS Publication 547**: "Casualties, Disasters, and Thefts" - download from irs.gov for details

**Payment Method Rules (Never Break These)**:

**NEVER pay strangers with**: 1. **Wire transfers** (Western Union, MoneyGram, bank wire) - irreversible, untraceable 2. **Cryptocurrency** (Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, etc.) - irreversible, anonymous 3. **Gift cards** (iTunes, Google Play, Steam, Amazon, etc.) - no legitimate business accepts payment via gift cards 4. **Zelle / Venmo / CashApp for goods from strangers** - designed for friends/family, zero buyer protection

**If anyone asks you to pay via these methods, hang up immediately. It's 100% a scam.**

**ONLY pay strangers with**: 1. **Credit cards** (chargeback rights, $0 fraud liability) 2. **PayPal Goods & Services** (buyer protection) 3. **Platform checkout** (Amazon checkout, eBay checkout) - platform protections 4. **Cash in person** (for local transactions, meet in public place like police station parking lot)

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**Email/Text Red Flags (Never Click)**:

**Immediate red flags** (if you see these, delete without clicking): 1. **Misspelled sender** - "amazno.com" instead of "amazon.com" 2. **Generic greeting** - "Dear Customer" (banks know your name) 3. **Urgency** - "Your account will be closed today," "Verify now or lose access" 4. **Threats** - "Your SSN has been suspended," "Legal action will be taken" 5. **Links in emails** - NEVER click links in unsolicited emails claiming to be from banks, government, etc.

**Instead**: - Type the company's official URL directly into browser - Call the company using phone number from official website (NOT number in email) - Log into your account directly (not through email link) to check for legitimate alerts

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**Phone Call Red Flags (Hang Up Immediately)**:

**100% scam if caller**: 1. Says "Your SSN has been suspended" (SSNs cannot be suspended - this phrase alone = scam) 2. Demands payment via gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency 3. Threatens immediate arrest 4. Asks for bank account/routing numbers, online banking passwords 5. Asks for remote access to your computer (TeamViewer, AnyDesk, etc.) 6. Offers guaranteed investment returns with no risk 7. Claims you won a lottery you didn't enter

**Legitimate callers**: - Identify themselves with employee ID and callback number (verify by calling company's official number) - Never demand immediate payment - Never ask for gift cards or wire transfers - Never threaten arrest over phone without written notice first - Never ask for remote computer access

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**Investment Red Flags (Run Away)**:

**Never invest in**: 1. **Guaranteed returns** - all investments have risk; guarantees = scam 2. **"Limited time offer"** - legitimate investments don't expire tomorrow 3. **Celebrity endorsements** (especially on social media) - scammers create fake celebrity endorsement ads 4. **Crypto investment platforms** promising daily/weekly returns (e.g., "1% per day") - Ponzi schemes 5. **Investments recommended by someone you met on dating site/social media** - romance scam leading to investment fraud

**Before investing**: 1. **Check FINRA BrokerCheck** (brokercheck.finra.org) - verify investment professional is licensed and has no disciplinary history 2. **Check SEC EDGAR** (sec.gov/edgar) - look up company's SEC filings (legitimate investment companies file public reports) 3. **Google "[investment name] scam"** - see if others reported it 4. **Never invest money you can't afford to lose** - especially with unknown companies/platforms

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**Romance Red Flags (Protect Your Heart and Wallet)**:

**RED FLAG: They ask for money** - Legitimate romantic interests do not ask for money, especially: 1. **Emergency medical expenses** - "I'm in the hospital and need money for surgery" 2. **Travel costs** - "I need $500 for plane ticket to visit you" (they never show up) 3. **Business investment opportunity** - "Invest with me and we'll be rich together" 4. **Cryptocurrency trading advice** - "I'll teach you how to trade crypto" (you see fake profits, can't withdraw) 5. **Customs fees** - "Package stuck in customs, need $1,000 to release it"

**Additional red flags**: 6. **Never met in person** - after weeks/months of relationship, they keep making excuses not to video chat or meet 7. **Perfect profile** - extremely attractive photos (reverse image search finds same photos on multiple dating profiles) 8. **Quick to say "I love you"** - professes love within days/weeks 9. **Story doesn't add up** - inconsistencies in their background, job, location 10. **Located overseas** - claims to be in U.S. military stationed overseas, or working on oil rig, etc.

**Protection**: - **Reverse image search** profile photos (images.google.com) - if photo appears on multiple profiles or stock photo sites, it's fake - **Insist on video chat** - if they refuse or technical problems always occur, it's a scam - **NEVER send money** to someone you haven't met in person - **Tell a friend** - discuss relationship with trusted friend who can spot red flags you might miss (scammers isolate victims)

**If you're already in an online relationship and they ask for money**: 1. Stop sending money immediately 2. Cut contact 3. Report to FBI IC3.gov 4. Tell dating platform (dating site can ban scammer's profile)

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**Job Offer Red Flags (Don't Pay for Job)**:

**100% scam if job offer**: 1. **Requires upfront payment** - "Pay $300 for background check/training materials/equipment" (legitimate employers pay these costs) 2. **Check and wire back** - "Deposit this check, buy equipment, wire us the remaining 90%" (fake check scam) 3. **Receive and transfer money** - "Receive payments, transfer to others" (money mule/money laundering scheme - federal crime) 4. **Shipped from home** - "Receive packages, ship to different address" (reshipping scam, you're receiving stolen goods) 5. **Too good to be true pay** - "$5,000/week for 10 hours of work from home with no experience" 6. **Hired without interview** - legitimate employers conduct interviews (phone, video, in-person)

**Additional red flags**: 7. **Misspelled company name** - "Amazn Inc." instead of "Amazon" 8. **Generic email domain** - recruiter@gmail.com instead of recruiter@company.com 9. **Communicates via WhatsApp/Telegram only** - legitimate companies use email and phone 10. **Pressure to respond immediately** - "Accept offer by end of day or we move to next candidate"

**Before accepting job**: 1. **Research company** - visit official website, check reviews on Glassdoor 2. **Verify recruiter** - look up recruiter on LinkedIn, call company's HR department to confirm (use phone number from official website, not number in email) 3. **Never pay upfront** - real jobs pay you, not the other way around 4. **Never deposit checks and wire money** - this is always a scam

**FTC resource**: consumer.ftc.gov/articles/job-scams-explained

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**Website Red Flags (Check Before Buying)**:

**Before entering credit card info**, verify: 1. **Domain name** - Is it spelled correctly? Scammers use lookalikes like "micros0ft.com" (zero instead of o) 2. **HTTPS padlock** - Look for padlock icon in address bar (legitimate sites use HTTPS encryption) 3. **Domain age** - Check whois.com (sites under 6 months old are high risk, sites under 30 days are almost certainly scams) 4. **Contact information** - Legitimate sites have phone number, physical address, email (not just generic contact form) 5. **Prices too good to be true** - If iPhone is 70% off retail, it's fake 6. **Poor grammar** - Misspellings, awkward phrasing throughout site 7. **No return/refund policy** - or policy is vague/unrealistic

**How to check**: 1. **Google "[site name] scam"** or **"[site name] reviews"** 2. **Check Trustpilot.com** - look for verified reviews (beware fake 5-star reviews all posted same day) 3. **Reverse image search** product photos (images.google.com) - if same photo appears on 100+ different sites selling different products, it's dropshipping/scam 4. **Check domain age**: whois.com → Enter domain name → Check "Created" date (< 6 months = high risk)

**Safe shopping**: - Shop on well-known platforms (Amazon, eBay, Walmart, etc.) - Use credit card (not debit card or wire transfer) for chargeback protection - Use PayPal Goods & Services when buying from individuals - If deal seems too good to be true, it is

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**AI-Powered Scams (New 2024-2025 Threat)**:

**New scam tactics using AI**: 1. **Voice cloning** - Scammers use AI to clone grandchild's voice from social media videos (grandparent scam) 2. **Deepfake videos** - Fake video calls showing celebrity/friend asking for money 3. **ChatGPT-powered emails** - Phishing emails with perfect grammar, personalization (135% increase in AI phishing 2024) 4. **Fake customer service chatbots** - AI chatbots impersonating legitimate companies

**Protection**: - **Establish a family code word** - Agree on secret word with family members to verify identity in emergencies ("What's our code word?") - **Call back at known number** - If someone claims to be family member/friend in trouble, hang up and call their normal phone number - **Verify video calls** - Ask person to do something unexpected (turn camera, show something specific, answer personal question only they would know) - **Be skeptical of perfect emails** - AI-generated phishing emails have perfect grammar (older red flag of "poor grammar" no longer applies)

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**Educate Vulnerable Family Members**:

**Older adults (60+) are targeted** ($4.9B losses 2024, 5x more likely to lose money on tech support scams)

**Have conversation with parents/grandparents**: 1. **No one from government will call demanding gift cards** - IRS, Social Security, Medicare never call asking for payment 2. **Your SSN cannot be suspended** - this is always a scam 3. **Emergency calls about grandchildren** - Verify by calling grandchild directly at their normal phone number 4. **Tech support pop-ups are fake** - Microsoft/Apple never put phone numbers in virus warnings 5. **Hang up and call back** - If caller claims to be from bank/government, hang up and call official number yourself

**Set up protections**: - **Credit freeze** at all three bureaus (prevents identity theft) - **Do Not Call Registry** (donotcall.gov - reduces telemarketing calls) - **Call blocking** - Install call blocking app (RoboKiller, Nomorobo, etc.) on their phone - **Joint account monitoring** - If appropriate, set up alerts on their bank accounts to notify you of large withdrawals - **Trusted contact person** - Set up "trusted contact" at their bank (bank will call you if they suspect elder financial abuse)

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**Resources for Prevention Education**:

1. **AARP Fraud Watch Network** (aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork) - Free scam alerts, resources (don't need to be AARP member) 2. **FTC Consumer Alerts** (consumer.ftc.gov/scam-alerts) - Weekly scam warnings 3. **FBI Scam Tips** (fbi.gov/scams-and-safety) - By scam type 4. **IRS Scam Awareness** (irs.gov/newsroom/tax-scams-consumer-alerts) - IRS imposter scams 5. **Social Security Scam Info** (ssa.gov/scam) - SSA imposter scams

**Sign up for scam alerts**: Most of these sites offer free email subscriptions for weekly scam warnings about new tactics.