Fraud Alerts

Scammers tell all kinds of stories to try to get your money or information. They might call, pretend to be from a government agency, and say you owe a fine. Or they may pose as a friend or love interest online who supposedly needs money for an emergency. A scammer might offer you a (fake) job, but say you need to pay a fee before you get hired. Or they might tell a different lie.

Whether you served for four, ten, or twenty years, veterans pension and disability benefits might be an important — often essential — part of your life after the military. That’s why scammers call, email, or message to “help” you apply for them. But what they’re really after is your money. These “advisors” make promises they can’t keep and charge filing fees for services that are always free through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Spot scams during the VA benefits claims process to avoid them.

Fake job listings can be found almost anywhere, from posters on college campuses to trusted job-search websites. More than 107,000 individuals reported job opportunity scams, with a total annual loss of $491,000,000. With some criminals dedicating extensive resources to their impersonations, it can be difficult to discern real offers from fraudulent ones.

Did you or someone you know report a scam in 2024? Thank you! Those reports help bring enforcement cases and educate people about scams. Let’s jump into the top 2024 scams.

If you’ve been summoned for jury duty, you know there are serious consequences for missing it — like fines, court appointments, or even jail time. Scammers know this too, and they’re calling and emailing to scare you into thinking you’ve missed jury duty and need to pay. It’s a scam. Learn how the scam works so you can avoid it.

If you’re filing your taxes online this year, watch for signs of tax identity theft, like someone using your Social Security number (SSN) to file and claim a tax refund. One way you’ll know is if the IRS rejects your tax return once you file. Learn to protect yourself while filing online and what to do if someone steals your tax refund.

Thinking of trying your luck with an online dating app, or getting to know someone you’ve met on social media? Before you do, make sure you know how to spot a romance scammer.

Tax season is here and people have questions. Where to file? How to file? Can I file online? For free? For those answers, always start with the official IRS website at irs.gov

2024 fraud trends show sweepstakes & prizes scams are #1, while cryptocurrency scams are the most expensive

The holiday shopping season is over, but the issues you’re having with a product might not be. Here’s what to do about it.