Scams and Fraud Prevention

Scams and fraud prevention covers the tactics criminals use to trick people out of money or personal information, and the government tools that exist to fight back. Fraud shows up everywhere from a phone call claiming to be a relative in trouble to a fake charity after a disaster, and the people behind it constantly adapt their methods to new technology and new fears.

Recognizing the pattern matters more than memorizing any single scam, since the underlying tricks repeat: urgency, secrecy, and a request for money or account access delivered in an unusual way. How to Spot and Report Common Scams walks through the warning signs that show up again and again, whatever form the scam takes.

Government benefits and services are a favorite target because they touch nearly every household. Fraudsters impersonate agencies that administer retirement, health, and disaster relief programs to steal benefits or personal data, which is why guides exist for Reporting Social Security Fraud: Your Guide to Protecting Benefits and Stopping Scams, Your Guide to Reporting Medicare Fraud, Waste, and Abuse, and How to Identify and Report FEMA Fraud After a Disaster.

The mail system remains a common channel for fraud precisely because it feels routine and trustworthy. Understanding the risks around stolen mail, unsolicited packages, and postal impersonation helps explain why Why Mail Fraud Is a Federal Crime, and where to turn if you suspect it, detailed in What to Do About Stolen Mail.