As you work to improve your financial situation, it is important to be familiar with the types of scams that are happening in your area and to be vigilant in checking and verifying the legitimacy of anyone that attempts to get money or personal information from you.
Some types of scams to be aware of are:
Learn more about these common types of scams:
Common Scams and Frauds (USA.gov)
Common Scams and Crimes (Federal Bureau of Investigation – FBI.gov)
Common Types of Scams (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau)
Related: Multi-Level Marketing Businesses and Pyramid Schemes (FTC.gov)
Identity theft is when someone steals your personal information to obtain medical services, open new lines of credit, file taxes, use credit cards, and gain access to bank accounts. This type of fraud can damage your credit report which can take a lot of time and money to restore.
Warning Signs of Identity Theft (IdentityTheft.gov – FTC)
What do I do if I’m a victim of identity theft?
Report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online or by phone at 1-877-438-4338.
Once you report the identity theft, you will receive an identity theft report and a recovery plan (which is only available if you report online).
You should also report this to credit reporting agencies, financial institutions (such as your bank, credit card issuers, etc.), the Maryland Attorney General’s Office, and any other place where the identity thief opened credit accounts.
If you or someone you know is a victim of identity theft due to a stay in a long-care facility or nursing home, you can contact a local or state ombudsman program.
If you are a victim of Medicare fraud, you can call the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Inspector General at 800-447-8477.
U.S. Federal Trade Commission – Scam Alerts
Information on active scams, helpful tips for avoiding them, and resources to report suspected scams.
AARP provides an interactive map displaying reported scams in your designated search area.
