Consumer Alerts

Scammers are increasingly targeting service members and others by pretending to offer help with debt. According to the FTC, these fraudsters often call out of the blue using official-sounding names and claiming connections to military-affiliated banks or credit bureaus. They may promise access to special “military debt forgiveness” or “veteran debt relief” programs — programs that don’t actually exist. The goal is to trick you into paying upfront fees or diverting payments away from your real lenders, which can damage your credit and even affect your security clearance. The FTC stresses that it’s illegal for debt relief companies to charge […]

The FTC reports a surge in letters sent through the mail claiming you’re entitled to unclaimed life-insurance proceeds from a distant relative. These letters often appear to come from a law firm and say that someone with your last name has died, leaving behind a multimillion-dollar policy. The sender claims they want to help you claim the funds and split the payout. In reality, none of it is true — the “lawyer” isn’t a lawyer at all, and the life-insurance policy never existed. If you respond, scammers will try to steal your personal information, financial details, or your money. The […]

Our Fraud Mitigation team is alerting customers to a scam that has recently targeted customers of other financial institutions and could become more widespread. In these scams, criminals contact customers by phone and claim that their bank account has been compromised or that suspicious activity has been detected. During the conversation, the caller may create a sense of urgency and then direct the customer to a website link sent by text message or email. While the website may look identical to the customer’s actual online banking site, it is a fraudulent website designed to steal login credentials. When customers enter […]

Military moves often come with tight timelines, last-minute orders, and added stress — which scammers take advantage of through fake rental listings. According to the FTC, some scammers create listings for homes that don’t exist or aren’t actually for rent, while others steal photos from legitimate listings and repost them with below-market prices. Because they cannot show the property, scammers often make excuses for why you can’t visit in person. Another red flag is a “landlord” insisting you pay only by cash, gift card, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer to secure the rental— all methods that make it nearly impossible to […]

Scammers are contacting people shopping for health coverage and making their offers sound like real health insurance — when in fact they’re only selling medical discount plans. According to the FTC, these plans don’t provide the comprehensive benefits people expect from legitimate health insurance, and misleading marketers often hide the real limitations until after payment. The agency warns consumers to be wary of sales pitches that feel rushed, overly promotional, or unclear about what services are actually covered. The FTC recommends confirming exactly what you’re buying before sharing personal or financial information. Real health insurance must meet specific federal and […]

Veteran-owned small businesses continue to face frequent scams and cybersecurity threats that target their operations, finances, and sensitive information. According to the Federal Trade Commission, scammers often impersonate government agencies, send fraudulent invoices, or use phishing messages designed to steal account access. The FTC and Military Consumer urge veteran entrepreneurs and their teams to stay alert for red flags such as unexpected payment demands, urgent requests for confidential data, or deals that appear unusually advantageous. They’ve compiled a list of helpful resources to support veteran-owned business in protecting their teams, customers and operations from scams and cyberthreats. Click here for […]

A new report highlighted by The Independent shows that Americans lost nearly $900 million to AI-generated scams in 2025. According to FBI data, more than 22,000 complaints involved artificial intelligence, with criminals using tools that clone voices, generate realistic fake images, and create convincing messages. Victims described receiving calls from what sounded like a panicked family member or messages from impersonated public figures, influencers, or even fake FBI agents. Cybersecurity experts warn that AI-driven fraud is accelerating rapidly as generative tools become cheaper, faster, and capable of producing communications that look legitimate even to trained professionals. These scams are evolving […]

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is warning consumers about a new type of scam that exploits CAPTCHA verification systems—the familiar “I’m not a robot” checks used on legitimate websites. Scammers are creating fake CAPTCHA screens that appear when you click on links in phishing emails, text messages, or compromised websites. Instead of verifying you’re human, these fake CAPTCHAs trick you into running malicious commands that can install malware, steal your personal information, or grant scammers access to your computer. The FTC notes that legitimate CAPTCHAs ask you to identify images, check a box, or solve a simple puzzle—they never ask […]

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is warning consumers about a new wave of government-impersonation scams where criminals pretend to be FTC employees. According to the agency, scammers contact people unexpectedly—often by text message or messaging apps—and falsely claim they are FTC “agents” who can help recover money lost in a previous scam. To make the scheme seem legitimate, impersonators send a photo of a fake FTC ID badge and employee card in an attempt to “verify” their identity. But the FTC states clearly that a real FTC employee will never text you, message you on WhatsApp, or send a photo […]

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is reminding consumers that Medicare fraud isn’t just a problem for seniors—it affects everyone who pays taxes and contributes to the Medicare system. Scammers use a variety of tactics to steal Medicare numbers and personal information, including offering free medical equipment, genetic testing kits, or pain creams in exchange for Medicare details. They may also pose as Medicare representatives calling about new cards, coverage changes, or account verification. The FTC warns that Medicare will never call unexpectedly to ask for your Medicare number or personal information, and legitimate Medicare communications don’t require immediate action or […]