Scam Warning Signs

  • You have to pay a fee
  • Money-back offers or guarantees
  • Credit card or bank account information required
  • Provides "exclusive" information

Scams: "Phishing" & "Pharming"
"Phishing"

  • Unsolicited emails that bear the logo of your bank or credit card
  • Appear legitimate but are traps to lure you into giving your personal or account information

NEVER give out Social Security, credit card, or bank account numbers to unsolicited emails or calls

"Pharming"

  • Unsolicited emails that encourage you to visit a website or click on suspicious links
  • Make sure your inbox spam filters are up to date

BE CAREFUL about giving out your contact information or email address

Reporting Scams:

National Fraud Information Center (NFIC)
- File an online complaint at www.fraud.org

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - File an online complaint at www.ftc.gov/scholarshipscams
Call 1-877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)
Write to: Federal Trade Commission 
Consumer Response Center 
600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20580

State Attorney General's Office - File your complaint with the Consumer Protection Division @ www.naag.org

US Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) - File an online complaint involving mail fraud @
www.postalinspectors.uspis.gov
Call the crime hotline - 1-877-876-2455
Write - Inspection Service Support Group 
222 S. Riverside Plaza, Ste. 1250
Chicago, IL 60606-6100

Better Business Bureau (BBB) - File an online complaint about a business @ www.bbb.org