Scam Alerts

Spotting and Responding to Scams

Some Common Scams and Consumer Alerts

It is impossible to list every kind of scam to watch out for, and it is impossible to identify every scam. The best way to protect yourself is to be able to identify patterns and set up rules for you and your family that will protect you if you’re targeted by scammers.

Scammers and fraudsters are constantly coming up with new ways to steal money, personal information, or identities. If you have been the victim of a scam or suspect you might be, or if you’re watching out for friends, family, or community members, knowing some of the patterns common in scams may help protect you in the future.

• Cryptocurrency Scams: Here’s information from the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation on how to spot and report this common crypto scam
  • “Pig Butchering”  Scams: https://dfpi.ca.gov/news/insights/pig-butchering-how-to-spot-and-report-the-scam/
  • Cryptocurrency Scam Tracker: https://dfpi.ca.gov/consumers/crypto/crypto-scam-tracker/ (See glossary at the bottom of the screen)
  • Recovery Scams: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/refund-recovery-scams
• DFPI Consumer Alerts: Find consumer alerts on new and common fraud and scams, cryptocurrency scams, fraud prevention, and more
  • https://dfpi.ca.gov/news/consumer-alerts/?searchStudioQuery=&isGrid=false&facets=&orderBy=&start=0
• Top Ten Scams according to the National Consumers League
  • https://fraud.org/top-ten-scams-2023/
• Common Scams Identified by the California Attorney General
  • https://oag.ca.gov/consumers/common-scams
• Job and Business Opportunity Scams       https://oag.ca.gov/consumers/general/job-business-schemes
• Job Scam Article from the FTC
  • https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/job-scams
• "Muse" Scams:  A scammer offers to pay for modelling or using your photograph to take your money or personal information.
  • https://www.wsfsbank.com/resources/how-to-protect-yourself-from-muse-scams-on-social-media/
• NFT Scams against artists 
  • https://www.artsyshark.com/2023/09/20/dont-fall-for-nft-scams/
• Romance, Lottery, and Sweepstakes Scams against Seniors: Information from the FBI
  • https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/common-frauds-and-scams/elder-fraud
• Government Impersonation Scams (IRS, SSA, FTC, and more)
  • https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-avoid-government-impersonation-scam
• Unemployment and SDI Scams
  • https://edd.ca.gov/siteassets/files/unemployment/pdf/scammers-info-sheet.pdf
• Spot Scams while Getting out of Debt      
  • https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/07/spot-scams-while-getting-out-debt
• Watch out for the Grandparent Scam        
  • https://youtu.be/QOpLCcBl93w
• Impersonator Scams              
  • https://consumer.ftc.gov/features/pass-it-on/impersonator-scams
• Job Scams
  • https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/06/how-avoid-work-home-job-scams

Protecting Yourself from Scams

• Checking a Company's Background
  • https://oag.ca.gov/consumers/general/checking_business_bkgrd10
• Safety tips with QR Codes, Social Media, and More
  • https://blog.ssa.gov/resolve-to-protect-yourself-from-scams-this-new-year/
• How to tell if your email has been hacked:
  • https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/what-is-child-identity-theft/
  • Even if you aren’t sure, change your password.
• Don’t trust caller ID!
  • FTC Infographic: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-avoid-phone-scams-dont-trust-caller-id-infographic
• Block unwanted calls
  • FTC Recommendations on blocking calls: https://consumer.ftc.gov/node/77605
• Unclaimed Property Recovery
  • You can search for and claim unclaimed property from California here: https://www.sco.ca.gov/search_upd.html
  • You can check with your local government or the unclaimed property divisions of other states you’ve lived in for other unclaimed property.
• Cybersecurity Practices
  • Secret Service Recommendations: https://www.secretservice.gov/investigations/cyberhygiene
  • FTC Recommendations: https://consumer.ftc.gov/node/77479

What to do after a scam

• Watch out for recovery scammers/ asset recovery scammers
  • https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/refund-recovery-scams
• What to do if you were scammed - General Next Steps
  • https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-do-if-you-were-scammed
• Disputing a Credit Card Charge - California Attorney General
  • https://oag.ca.gov/consumers/general/credit-cards-dispute-charge
• Disputing a Credit Card Charge - FTC        
  • https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/using-credit-cards-and-disputing-charges
• Sample Letter for Disputing Credit Card Charges
  • https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/sample-letter-disputing-credit-and-debit-card-charges#sample
• Billed for items you never received?
  • https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-do-if-youre-billed-things-you-never-got-or-you-get-unordered-products
• Financial hardships and preparing for the future
  • https://www.ic3.gov/Outreach/Resources
• Recovering from Elder Financial Exploitation
  • https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_recovering-from-elder-financial-exploitation_report_09-2022.pdf 
• National Elder Fraud Hotline
  • Call: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311)
• Senate Subcommittee on Aging Fraud Hotline  
  • Call: 1 (855) 303-9470
• AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline
  • Call: 1 (877) 908-3360

Complaint Forms, Recovery, and Bankruptcy

• Complaints Against Businesses - A list of regulatory agencies in California for different types of goods and services and where to make complaints
  • https://oag.ca.gov/consumers/complaint-referral-table
• Reporting Cyber-Enabled Crime with the FBI
  • https://www.ic3.gov/
• Identity Theft
  • https://www.identitytheft.gov/
• Legal Services Fraud for Renters – Identify scams and report attorney malpractice or unauthorized practice of law.
  • https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Public/Free-Legal-Information/How-to-Avoid-Legal-Services-Fraud/Legal-Services-Fraud-Alert-for-Renters
• Report Fraud by Companies: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau assists to resolve complaints involving financial institutions or products such as credit card issues, mortgages, credit reporting agencies, student loans, payday lenders. File a complaint or for remissions if you were defrauded by a company
  • https://www.cftc.gov/ConsumerProtection                                 
• General information about federal bankruptcy laws and process:
  • https://www.uscourts.gov/services-forms/bankruptcy/bankruptcy-basics
  • https://www.uscourts.gov/services-forms/bankruptcy                       

National Credit Reporting Agencies

• Check your credit report: Use your rights under federal law to request a free copy of your credit report once per year from each of the three main credit reporting agencies:
  • https://www.annualcreditreport.com
  • Look through your report for any unusual or unrecognized accounts, address information, phone numbers, or other information.
  • If there is information you do not recognize, seek legal assistance to dispute fraudulent accounts.                    
• Child Identity Theft: If you suspect your child’s identity was stolen, be careful! There is a special process of identifying and addressing Child Identity Theft
  • https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/what-is-child-identity-theft/
• To place a temporary fraud alert or credit freeze                  
  • Equifax -- Call: 1 (800) 685-1111 or Visit: https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services
  • Experian -- Call: 1 (888) 397-3742 or Visit: https://www.experian.com/help
  • TransUnion -- Call: 1 (888) 909-8872 or Visit: https://www.transunion.com/credit-help