Scammers Take FTC’s Name In Vain
The latest no-goodniks attempting to take advantage of an organization’s good name are hiding behind no less than the Federal Trade Commission.
According to the FTC, “con artists claiming to work for the Federal Trade Commission are calling consumers and claiming they have won a lottery or sweepstakes.” Call recipients are asked to forward a check for taxes and insurance, in amounts that range from between $1,000 to $10,000, to the scammers.
Callers may use the name of a real FTC employee, and Caller ID systems may list the number they are calling from as having a Washington, DC area code – or may even come up as from the Federal Trade Commission.
“As the nation’s consumer protection agency, the FTC never collects money directly from consumers,” the agency added in its statement.
Legitimate sweepstakes don’t require consumers to send money to claim a prize, according to the FTC.
