Consumer Scams FAQ

Consumer scams come in all shapes, sizes, and forms. Scammers constantly invent new ways to trick and steal from others. But even if you know how a scam works, it might still catch you off-guard. Plus, many otherwise legitimate businesses have faced accusations of deceiving customers.

Below, you can find answers to frequent questions about scams, including what to do if someone scams you.

• What should I do if I'm the victim of a scam?
• Can I get my money back?
• Where do I file a fraud complaint?
• I got a product in the mail that I never ordered. Do I have to pay for it?
• What are some of the most common scams?
• How can I tell if something is a scam?
• Get a lawyer's help

What Should I Do if I'm the Victim of a Scam?

You should contact a consumer protection office in your area to report unfair or deceptive business practices. The attorney general's office in your state can be a helpful place to start. An attorney general represents the interests of the state's residents.

These offices contain information about ongoing consumer scams. They also offer services like investigating and prosecuting scammers under criminal law.

In addition to your state agency, you may also want to contact relevant federal agencies. Depending on the type of fraud, USAgov or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) may be appropriate.

Can I Get My Money Back?

It is unlikely that you can get your money back in most consumer scams, but there are some notable exceptions:

• If you paid with your credit or debit card, you can dispute the charges with your bank or credit card company.
• If the fraud involved a charge to your phone bill, you can often dispute the charge with the telephone company.
• Many online auction sites have insurance that covers fraudulent transactions, so contact the online auction site to report the fraud and dispute the charge.
• Law enforcement agencies sometimes take legal action. If they succeed, you may be entitled to some of the money they recover.
• You can sue the scammer in court or small claims court. Unfortunately, even if the judge rules that they must compensate you, it might be difficult to collect that payment.

Getting money back is rare, but most options are simple and free. If you sue the seller, you may want to work with an experienced consumer protection attorney.

Where Do I File a Fraud Complaint?

There are a few ways you can report a fraudulent business. In addition to government agencies, many nonprofits, such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Fraud.org, can help you determine the best way to register consumer complaints. For example, you could fill out a complaint online on Fraud.org, which will forward it to all the appropriate agencies.

Finally, local sources such as your local prosecutor, newspaper, radio station, or television station might help you in other ways. Many of these local sources have dedicated resources to help protect local citizens against consumer scams.

I Got a Product in the Mail That I Never Ordered. Do I Have To Pay for It?

No, you do not have to pay for anything you didn't order. If the seller sends bills or collection letters, write the seller informing them that you never purchased such an item. Mention that you can either treat it as a gift or return it to them if they cover shipping.

If the seller still insists, ask the seller to send proof that you ordered the item. If the seller continues to pressure you to pay, notify your state consumer protection agency.

Free Trials

Check whether you signed up for a temporary free trial that ended and now costs money. Sellers often hide terms like this in the fine print. Many clubs, memberships, and subscriptions advertise a free trial period. Unfortunately, customers tend to forget about the terms until their credit card statements show unexpected bills.

If this happens:

• Cancel the product or service
• Offer to return the item
• Demand that the seller take your name off of any mailing list
• Let the seller know that you think their ad was deceptive and misleading

Read the terms of the trial carefully. They might explain what happens when you cancel the subscription.

What Are Some of the Most Common Scams?

The BBB regularly releases a list of the top consumer scams of the year, which often include:

• Supplement and related free trial offers
• Government grant and stimulus check scams
• Robocalls, which are automated telephone advertisements or warnings
• Lottery and sweepstakes scams
• Job hunter and online work-from-home scams
• Mortgage assistance scams
• Shopping scams, in which the scammer gives you a fake check to deposit and spend
• Over-payment scams, in which the scammer pretends to send you too much money and asks you to return the difference with a wire transfer or gift cards
• Phishing emails

Fraud schemes constantly evolve. Watch for news stories and government warnings as new scams arise. Consumer alerts can give you information about situations and sellers to avoid.

How Can I Tell if Something Is a Scam?

Scams can have many different warning signs, such as if the seller:

• Insists the offer or request is urgent
• Asks you to lie to cashiers, bank tellers, or family members
• Threatens to call the police if you don't pay immediately
• Hides or excludes its policies on its website
• Has many poor reviews and consumer ratings online
• Asks for your financial information, such as your Social Security number or bank account details, which might enable identity theft

Scams can appear in several ways. A person might contact you directly through text messages or phone scams. Or, the fraud might target you passively. For example, you might see a social media ad that looks like a familiar seller, but the ad link brings you to an imposter website instead.

Get a Lawyer's Help

If you've been the victim of a scam, consider hiring a consumer protection lawyer to protect your interests and try to hold the scammers accountable.