Weekly Scam Alert: Fake FTC, Microsoft Scams Cost Victims More than $600K in Three Days

An 84-year-old Washington resident lost more than $400,000 in a scam after being told they were under investigation by the Federal Trade Commission for child pornography and money laundering — and that their bank accounts were at risk of seizure.

The case was part of a three-day scam spree last month in Clallam County, Washington, where four residents lost more than $673,000 to fraudsters impersonating Microsoft, the Federal Trade Commission and crypto exchange Coinbase, according to the local sheriff’s office.

The tactics ranged widely. One victim lost $3,500 in Apple gift cards to a fake Microsoft tech support agent. Another lost $50,000 after clicking a malicious email link that gave fraudsters access to their financial accounts. A third lost $200,000 after being coerced into downloading a fake app by someone posing as a Coinbase employee. As for the 84-year-old Washingtonian, he converted roughly $420,000 into gold following the scammer’s instructions, then handed it to a stranger who showed up in his driveway.

Though they appear to be part of an isolated spree, the tactics employed in these scams are common and seen across state lines. Clallam County Undersheriff Lorraine Shore called these scammers professional manipulators who exploit fear, trust and urgency. The sheriff’s office was clear on one point: legitimate companies and government agencies will never ask you to avoid law enforcement or buy gold, gift cards or crypto. They’ll also never send someone to your home to collect valuables.

If you get a suspicious call asking for anything like this, hang up and verify the claim directly with the institution involved before taking any action. If you believe you’ve been targeted, contact your financial institution immediately. Then report the incident to local law enforcement and file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Other current scams to watch out for

A long-con crypto trap

A North Carolina man is still waiting to recoup the bulk of what he lost to a “pig-butchering” scam, a term for schemes where fraudsters spend months cultivating a relationship with their victim before steering them into a fake investment. Wesley Marley told WRAL News he lost more than $753,000, and only learned the scope of it after seeing his name in a federal court filing.

Federal agents have told Marley they could recover around $630,000 of his lost money, but more than a year after reporting the fraud, he's still waiting. Investigators say the delay partly comes down to how these scams operate: fraudsters often pool multiple victims' funds together instead of keeping them separate, making it harder to determine who the money belongs to.

If someone you've met online steers a friendly relationship toward crypto investing, consider it a warning sign. These scams work specifically because they're built on weeks or months of trust, not a single high-pressure pitch.

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Immigration "miracle" promises

Thousands of immigrants may have been scammed by a Washington attorney who promised “miracles” while allegedly submitting false humanitarian visa claims without their knowledge. According to lawsuits and an ethics investigation covered by the Associated Press, Alexandra Lozano's firm allegedly employed workers without proper credentials and copied clients' signatures on applications they never saw.

One former client told the Associated Press he paid $30,000 and trusted Lozano with his family's case, only to have his mother placed in removal proceedings despite her marriage to a U.S. citizen. Lozano's firm closed this month; she surrendered her law license but denies any wrongdoing. The bar says her signature appears on more than 53,000 pending cases.

If you, a friend or a loved one is pursuing an immigration case, verify the attorney's license status directly with the relevant state bar association and ask to review every document before it's submitted. Never sign blank forms or paperwork you haven't personally read, no matter how much you trust the person handling your case.

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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

1. 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
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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

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