Weekly Scam Alert: Fraudsters Posing as FCC Officials Are Trying to Steal Your Information
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is warning consumers about a wave of fraudsters impersonating the agency’s officials. In some cases, they're using the names of actual FCC employees to make their stories seem more convincing.
According to the agency's new alert, the scammers are calling and texting people to claim their phone number is under investigation for criminal activity. From there, victims are threatened with legal action or pressed to send money and share sensitive financial information.
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These scams are especially concerning given how much money Americans already lose to impersonators. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received more than one million imposter scam reports in 2025, making it the most-reported type of fraud for the ninth year in a row. Consumers reported losing $3.5 billion to imposter scams, including about $920 million to fraudsters posing as government officials.
The FCC says it will never call or text to say your phone number is under investigation, direct you to a special law enforcement hotline or demand payment to resolve a problem. If someone does, hang up and don't provide any personal or financial information. The agency also recommends reporting impersonation attempts through its online complaint system.
Other current scams to watch out for
Gold courier scams
New York Attorney General Letitia James warned consumers last week about a rise in gold bar scams that have been targeting seniors in the state. The New York Police Department has investigated more than 100 such cases over the past two years, with losses exceeding $100 million.
This type of scam is well-documented: Criminals typically convince victims that their financial accounts or identities have been compromised, tell them to convert their savings into gold and then send couriers to collect it. New York is far from the only place it's happening.
In Washington, D.C., police announced arrests on Friday after an 85-year-old man was allegedly told by people posing as federal agents to buy more than $200,000 in gold. A gold dealer recognized the scam and alerted authorities before two men showed up at the victim's home to collect it. Federal prosecutors in Hawaii also announced a similar case last month.
You should never feel pressured to move money because someone on the phone tells you to, regardless of what agency they claim to work for. If you believe there is a problem with your account, there's no need to continue conversation with a stranger — contact your bank directly to ask for information instead.
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Refund and recovery scams
The FTC recently issued a warning about scammers who buy lists of previous fraud victims and contact them with promises of recovering their missing money, prizes or merchandise. Those lists can include a victim's name, contact information, the type of scam they fell for and even how much they lost.
To make the pitch believable, these scammers may pose as the FTC or another government agency, a consumer advocacy group or a law firm. But before recovering anything, they will ask for a fee or an "administrative charge." Others may ask for bank information so they can deposit your supposedly recovered funds.
It's an especially malicious setup. The scam works because its target has already been victimized and is hoping to undo the financial damage. The FTC reminds consumers that legitimate organizations won't charge you upfront to get a refund, and anyone unexpectedly promising to recover your money in exchange for a fee or financial information should be considered a scammer.
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The most common types of scam you should know
Scammers are constantly upping their game, coming up with new and exciting ways (for them) of fooling their targets. AI-powered scams are one example of this; the technology is being used to reach a larger number of people with increasingly more convincing schemes
But some tricks never run out of style. Most scams fall into a handful of familiar patterns, and many long-standing schemes are still a threat today. They’ve just evolved to better fit today’s digital landscape
- Imposter scams: Scammers often pose as trusted figures such as government agencies, banks, employers and even friends or family to pressure victims into sending money or sharing personal information
- Phishing and spoofing scams: These scams use emails, texts or phone calls that look like they’re from legitimate organizations. The goal is to trick you into clicking a malicious link, downloading malware or handing over sensitive information
- Online shopping scams: Fraudsters can create fake online stores or listings with hard-to-find items at unusually low prices. After you pay for an article, what you end up getting might be counterfeit — or it may never arrive in the first place
- Investment scams: This type of scam often arrives with promises of high returns from crypto, forex or other “exclusive” opportunities. Many involve long-term grooming tactics in which victims are encouraged to invest more over time before losing everything
- Romance scams: Some scammers try to get into your pocket through the heart. They build a relationship with you on dating apps or social media, then convince you to give up money and assets by fabricating emergencies or investment opportunities
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What to do if you’re the target — or victim — of a scam
No one is immune to scams or fraud, but a few consistent habits can reduce their danger and the damage they cause
For starters, be skeptical of unsolicited messages, especially those creating fear or urgency. This might look like an email from your bank threatening to close an account, a text from an online marketplace saying you’ll lose a discount or a call from the IRS claiming they’ll report you to the authorities unless you “act now.”
Scammers love to use this sort of language because it puts you on the spot, which they expect will move you to action
Always verify any requests from an organization by cross-checking with its official phone numbers, email or website. And don’t click any links, download attachments or respond to messages you suspect may be fraudulent. A legitimate organization will not pressure you for instant action or secrecy
Now, if you’ve already sent financial information or money to someone you suspect is a scammer, you’ll need to take a few steps to protect your data and possibly get your money reimbursed. Contact your bank, credit card issuer or payment platform immediately and attempt to stop or reverse the transactions. Make sure to change any relevant passwords and enable multi-factor authentication to safeguard your accounts, too.
Reporting a scam might also help protect others. You can file a report with the Federal Trade Commission and with local authorities at your nearby police department or sheriff’s office. Identity theft victims should also consider temporarily freezing their credit
Lastly, review your financial statements and credit reports regularly, keep your software updated and limit how much personal information you share online. Scammers often rely on publicly available details to make their schemes more convincing