Scam or NotScam No. 0252026-11-02
Is this text a scam?
SCAM
?+1 (202) 555-0142
Text Message · Today 9:41
Federal Consumer Office: This is Agent Mercer. Our records show you are being charged with serious crimes tied to your accounts. To avoid further action, you must transfer funds to a secured account today. The Director is on the line to help you resolve this. Reply YES or call (202) 555-0142 now.
Recreated from the FTC Consumer Alerts post, which describes scammers posing as a government agency who claim you are charged with serious crimes, say a top official is on the line to help, and tell you to transfer money.
3 red flags
- RED FLAG 1Fake agency claimScammers pose as government agencies to steal your information and your money.
Source: “scammers are impersonating government agencies, including the FTC, to try to steal people’s personal information and money.” link - RED FLAG 2Scary crime chargesClaiming you're charged with serious crimes is a known scammer line.
Source: “We take it seriously when scammers claim that the Chairman of the FTC is on the line to help you get out of a bind or that you’re being charged with serious crimes.” link - RED FLAG 3Move your moneyToo many people are still losing money to fake government agents like this.
Source: “too many people are still losing money to government imposters.” link
Safe move
Stop and look it up
Slow down, check the agency yourself, and stop before you pay anyone.
Source: “Help the people you care about know how to slow down, check it out, and stop before they pay a scammer.” link
Slow down, check the agency yourself, and stop before you pay anyone.
Source: “Help the people you care about know how to slow down, check it out, and stop before they pay a scammer.” link
Send this to the one who'd tap it.
Watch the video Play today's round More from Scam or Not