FTC Warns Citizens About Government Imposter Scams

guest · Aug 1, 2018

FTC Warns Citizens About Government Imposter Scams
No, the IRS doesn't demand gift cards.
July 31, 2018
https://www.nextgov.com/cybersecuri...vernment-imposter-scams/150176/?oref=rf-river

Criminals often impersonate government officials or other authority figures in order to wring cash out of innocent targets. The agency detailed what to look out for in a blog post on Monday so that you don't fall victim.

"Scammers will try to make it seem legitimate. They might give you a badge number, or even know information like the last four digits of your Social Security number. A Washington, D.C. area code on your caller ID also might seem convincing. But caller ID can be faked," writes Carol Kando-Pineda, an attorney for the FTC's Division of Consumer and Business Education.

The agency advises that you shouldn't give out any personal or account information over a phone call, text message or email from someone claiming to be from the government.
[...] You should also never send money by gift card, cash reload card or money transfer. Official government transactions aren't conducted this way.
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guest · Dec 9, 2019

Operators of Government Imposter Scheme to Pay $1.2 Million In Settlement With FTC, State of Florida
December 9, 2019
https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/pre...ent-imposter-scheme-pay-12-million-settlement

The operators of a scheme that targeted new businesses across the country with bogus threats of government fines will pay $1.2 million and be banned from sending unsolicited direct mail under a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission and the State of Florida.

The FTC and the State of Florida alleged that Thomas Henry Fred, Jr., and three companies that he owns, sent thousands of businesses mailers designed to look like invoices from a government agency for labor law posters.

“Just because an invoice looks official doesn’t mean it is,” said Andrew Smith, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “If you get an official-looking bill that you don’t understand, call the government agency directly using the number you find online or in a local directory, not the one on the mailer.”
The defendants’ mailers directed businesses to pay $84 for labor law posters and threatened that, “Failure to comply with posting regulations can lead to fines of up to $17,000.” Such posters are available for free from government agencies.

In addition to being permanently banned from sending unsolicited direct mail to consumers, the defendants will also be banned from misrepresenting themselves as a government agency, or misrepresenting that any goods or services they sell are being offered on behalf of a government agency.
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BleepingComputer: 'Government Imposter' Scammers Pay $1.2 Million in FTC Settlement

While the settlement requires the defendants to pay over $8 million, these judgments are suspended because of an inability to pay and the offenders will pay only $1.2 million to account for their targets' losses.
The government imposter scheme
To further instill a sense of urgency with their fictitious direct mail scam messages, the defendants included response deadlines as well as 'Business ID' numbers, directing their potential victims to send over $84 as money orders or checks, as well as confirm company info currently on file.

The problem is that these posters are available for free from government agencies.

"Just because an invoice looks official doesn’t mean it is," Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection Andrew Smith stated.
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