FTC Resources for Reporters
Last Dollar Scams
When economic times are tough and large numbers of consumers are struggling with unemployment, debt, and even foreclosure, some con artists see an opportunity to take advantage of financial distressed consumers and try to take their last dollar. These scams often involve selling consumers bogus promises of a job, government grant or some other money-making opportunity. Some make false claims that they can modify homeowners’ mortgages or rescue them from foreclosure. The FTC has redoubled its efforts to stop these scams through law enforcement actions, and by educating consumers about how to avoid being victimized.
News Releases:
- FTC Settlement Bans Marketer from Timeshare Business, Telemarketing – 10/12/2012
- FTC Returns More than $2 Million to Buyers of the "Google Money Tree" Work-at-Home Scam – 09/11/2012
- At FTC's Request, U.S. Court Hands Down Record $478 Million Judgment Against Marketers of Massive Get-Rich-Quick Infomercial Scams – 08/23/2012
- FTC Returns $2.9 Million to Consumer Victims in DVD Vending Scam – 06/27/2012
- FTC Action Halts Allegedly Deceptive Own-Your-Own Website Business Opportunity – 05/15/2012
- FTC Settlement Bans Swindlers from Prize Promotion Business – 04/26/2012
- FTC Settlement Bans Bogus Timeshare Resellers from Timeshare Business, Telemarketing – 04/26/2012
- FTC Action Results in Ban Against Couple from Telemarketing, Timeshare Resale Services – 04/05/2012
- FTC Case Against Deceptive Robocallers Leads to Record $30 Million in Civil Penalties – 02/24/2012
- FTC Takes Action to Stop Massive Robocalling Operations – 02/24/2012
- FTC Action Leads to Contempt Ruling Against Marketers Who Tried to Take Advantage of Financially Strapped Consumers – 02/22/2012
- FTC Action Halts Telemarketers Who Sold Bogus Credit Cards – 02/03/2012
- FTC Action Bans Payment Processor from Using a Novel Payment Method to Debit Accounts – 01/05/2012
- Last Remaining Defendants in "Hope Now" Scheme Settle FTC Charges; Order Puts Them Out of the Mortgage Relief Business – 11/16/2011
- FTC Wins $29.8 Million Judgment in Bogus Government Grant Case – 11/14/2011
- Bogus Government Grant Promoters Agree to Permanent Ban to Resolve FTC Charges – 10/06/2011
- Court Orders Defendant Who Assisted “Grant Writers” Scheme to Pay $1.68 Million for Refunds to Defrauded Consumers, After Trial on FTC Charges – 10/06/2011
- FTC Action Leads to $4.8 Million Judgment Against Deceptive Marketer – 7/21/2011
- Court Bans Defendants from Selling Work-at-Home and Grant Scams, and Orders Them to Pay $10.4 Million – 6/16/2011
- FTC Combats Immigration Services Scams – 6/9/2010
- FTC Charges Promissory Note Pitchman With Deceiving Consumers – 5/31/2011
- FTC Settlements Put Debt Relief Operations Out of Business – 5/26/2011
- FTC Recovers Properties, Precious Metals, and other Assets in Case Involving Purported Work-at-Home and Mystery Shopping Opportunities – 5/11/2011
- FTC Files Contempt Charges Against Marketer of Credit Repair, Debt Relief, Food Stamp Services – 4/18/2011
- FTC Returns $2.3 Million to Consumers; Mortgage Foreclosure Rescue Scam Victims Receive Full Refunds – 4/15/2011
- FTC Settlement Collects $2.2 Million, Bans Marketers From Mortgage Relief Business – 4/11/2011
- FTC Charges Mortgage Relief Operation with Deceiving Distressed Homeowners – 3/7/2011
- FTC Steps Up Efforts Against Scams That Target Financially-Strapped Consumers – 3/2/2011
- FTC Mails Redress Checks to Victims of Foreclosure Rescue Scam – 2/28/2011
- FTC's Mortgage Assistance Relief Services Advance Fee Ban Takes Effect – 2/10/2011
- FTC Settlement Bans Marketers from Debt Relief Business – 1/20/2011
- FTC Cracks Down on Con Artists Who Target Jobless Americans – 2/17/2010
- FTC Cracks Down on Scammers Trying to Take Advantage of the Economic Downturn – 7/1/2009
Consumer Education:
- Job Hunting Scams
- Federal and Postal Job Scams: Tip-offs to Rip-offs
- Work-at-Home Schemes
- Envelope Stuffing Rip-offs
