Consumer Safety

Utility Scammers Are Calling. Here’s How to Hang Up on Them. If your phone rings with someone claiming to be from a utility commission or your power company, demanding immediate payment to avoid a shutoff, be very careful. It’s likely a scam. Authorities, including state Public Utility Commissions (PUCs), are issuing alerts about a persistent wave of impersonation fraud. The scammers sound convincing, but their goal is simple: to scare you into handing over money or personal information before you have time to think. ...

Spot and Stop Fake Utility Payment Demands: A Scam Prevention Guide A phone call interrupts your day. The caller insists they’re from your electric or water company, stating your service will be shut off within the hour unless you make an immediate payment. The pressure is intense, and the threat feels real. This is the hallmark of a utility payment scam, and it’s a growing problem. Recently, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) issued a stark reminder to consumers: it does not make unsolicited calls to demand payment. This alert underscores a critical safety message for everyone: you must be able to distinguish between a legitimate call and a sophisticated fraud. ...

That Call from the “Government” Demanding Money? It’s a Scam You’re going about your day when the phone rings. The caller ID might even show a somewhat official-looking number. The person on the other end claims to be from a government agency—the utility commission, the IRS, or Social Security. They say you owe money immediately, and if you don’t pay right now, they’ll disconnect your service, suspend your license, or even have you arrested. Your heart races. This feels real, and the pressure is intense. ...

That Call About Your Overdue Utility Bill? It’s Almost Certainly a Scam. If your phone rings and the caller claims to be from your electric, gas, or water company demanding immediate payment, be very careful. It’s likely a criminal trying to steal your money. ...

That Text About an Amazon Recall? It’s Probably a Scam. If you’ve recently gotten a text message claiming a product you bought on Amazon is under recall and needs urgent action, be very careful. Scammers are running a convincing new scheme that impersonates Amazon to exploit a very real consumer fear: product safety. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Scams Intro Every day, we navigate a digital world filled with incredible convenience—and sophisticated traps. Scammers are constantly refining their tactics, making old advice less effective. That’s why staying updated on the latest trends isn’t just helpful; it’s a critical part of protecting your money and identity. Recently, during National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar highlighting the current scam landscape. The insights are a vital roadmap for anyone who banks online, shops on the internet, or simply checks their email. ...

Don’t Tap That Link: How to Spot Fake Amazon Recall Texts You get a sudden text message. It says there’s a critical safety recall for something you recently ordered from Amazon, and you need to act immediately to get a refund or replacement. It looks urgent, maybe even a little scary. Before you click, stop. This is a growing scam designed not to protect you, but to steal your personal and financial information. ...

That “Urgent Amazon Recall” Text Is Probably a Scam. Here’s What to Do. If you’ve ever bought anything online, you’re a potential target. A persistent and convincing scam is making the rounds, where criminals impersonate Amazon to send fake text messages about product recalls. Posing as a critical safety alert, these messages are designed to steal your personal and financial information. ...

That Urgent Amazon Recall Text? It’s Probably a Scam If your phone buzzes with a message warning that an Amazon product you bought is being recalled and you must act immediately, your first instinct might be panic. Before you click, take a deep breath. Scammers are aggressively exploiting this fear with a sophisticated text message phishing campaign, impersonating Amazon to steal personal and financial information. ...

Gift Card Scams Are Surging. Here’s How to Protect Your Money. If someone pressures you to pay them with a gift card, you are almost certainly talking to a scammer. This is the stark warning from consumer protection authorities, including District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb, who recently issued an alert to residents about the pervasive danger of these frauds. ...