Scams and Fraud Prevention

Fraud and scams target millions of Americans yearly, from personal finances to government benefits. Federal agencies provide tools and guidance to spot, avoid, and report these threats, helping you protect your money, identity, and resources.

Protecting Your Finances and Shopping

Watch for financial traps like predatory lending disguised as helpful loans. Investors can rely on SEC protections against Wall Street fraud. Holiday shoppers should follow tips to avoid online shopping scams.

Safeguarding Government Benefits

Scammers eye benefits programs. Learn to protect yourself from Social Security fraud and report it. Medicare users have a guide to reporting fraud, waste, and abuse, while HHS benefit scams require vigilance. Post-disaster, identify and report FEMA fraud.

Combating Mail and Education Scams

Mail fraud is common—report it to USPS, know unsolicited mail rights, and spot real USPS employees and vehicles. Postal Inspectors tackle mail crimes. For education, spot legitimate online colleges and avoid diploma mills. Report issues via FTC channels.