The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is alerting consumers to a new wave of phone scams in which fraudsters impersonate FTC officials, including commissioners, to trick people into sharing
personal information or sending money. According to a recent consumer alert, scammers are using spoofed phone numbers and official-sounding language to make their calls appear legitimate, often threatening legal action or promising financial rewards to pressure victims into compliance.
The FTC emphasizes that its commissioners and staff will never call consumers to demand payment, ask for sensitive information, or threaten arrest. These tactics are classic signs of a scam, and the agency urges the public to hang up immediately if they receive such calls. The alert also reminds consumers that government agencies do not use these methods to contact individuals about investigations or legal matters.
If you want to report a suspicious call, visit ReportFraud.ftc.gov if you lost money or have details about the scam. If you didn’t lose money but received an unwanted call, you can report it at DoNotCall.gov. By raising awareness and staying vigilant, consumers can protect themselves and others from falling victim to impersonation scams. The FTC continues to investigate these incidents and act against those who misuse its name to deceive the public.
Read more about this scam at: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/09/no-thats-not-ftc-commissioner-phone
