--- title: 5 Scams Making News description: To help all of us, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regularly reports on popular scams in circulation. Here are 5 popular scams making the rounds this season: image: https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/images/Scam%20on%20Keyboard.jpg --- [![MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2.png?width=464&name=MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2.png "MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2")](https://go.hfcu.org/blog) Filter by Category** - [Show All](https://go.hfcu.org/blog) - [Security](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/security) - [Personal Finance](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/personal-finance) - [Auto](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/auto) - [Business](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/business) - [Credit Score](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-score) - [Home](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/home) - [Credit Cards](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-cards) - [Life Changes](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/life-changes) - [Insurance](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/insurance) - [Investments](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/investments) Filter by Category** - [Show All](https://go.hfcu.org/blog) - [Security](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/security) - 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[Divorce (5)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/divorce) - [Travel (5)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/travel) - [ATM (4)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/atm) - [Baby (4)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/baby) - [Debit Cards (3)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/debit-cards) - [Motorcycles (3)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/motorcycles) - [Weddings (3)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/weddings) - [Boats (2)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/boats) - [Charity (2)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/charity) - [Family Finance (2)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/family-finance) - [Lending (2)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/lending) - [Credit Unions (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-unions) - [Green (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/green) - [Medical (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/medical) - [Pets (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/pets) - [dormant account (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/dormant-account) - [inactive account (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/inactive-account) # 5 Scams Making News ** [MaryJo Kurtz](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/author/maryjo-kurtz) ** Jul 18, 2017 ![Scam on Keyboard.jpg](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/images/Scam%20on%20Keyboard.jpg) Like bad house guests, scams come and go – leaving us hoping that they don’t return for another visit. But they do, sometimes altering their appearance a little. As scammers perfect their methods of luring victims, it can be difficult at times to identify a scam. To help all of us, the [Federal Trade Commission (FTC)](http://www.ftc.gov/) regularly reports on popular scams in circulation. Here are 5 popular scams making the rounds this season: ### **1. Charity sweepstakes scam** In this scam, the caller will tell you about a large sweepstakes prize that you won from a recognizable charity (such as the Make-a-Wish Foundation). Because the prize is so large, the caller will explain, it is necessary for the “winner” to pay thousands of dollars for taxes and/or insurance in order to claim the prize. Often the phone number will include the Washington, D.C. area code 202, and “winners” are asked to wire money or submit bank account information. Learn more about this scam [here](https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/scams-name-charity).  ### **2. Mortgage closing scam** As if buying a home wasn’t stressful enough, scammers have now found a way to trick you at this vulnerable time. Hacking into your email account, the scammer sends a fake email posing as the real estate agent or title company. The email explains that there has been a change in your closing instructions and asks that you wire closing costs to a new account. If you are in the process of buying a home and receive this type of email, contact your agent or title company directly to report it. Read more [here](https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/protect-your-mortgage-closing-scammers).  ### **3. Phony Nintendo Switch emulator** There is no legitimate Nintendo Switch emulator, but you may see online ads for one. You may also see Nintendo branding in the ad and a promise that the emulator can run Switch’s games on a desktop. When trying to download the emulator, victims end up with phony screen warnings telling them that there are problems with their computers – and they will have to pay to fix them. There are a few versions of this scam, and you can read about them [here](https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/theres-no-nintendo-switch-emulator).  ### **4. Movies with malware** Websites that are offering free downloads for movies, TV shows and sporting events may be delivering more than you hoped. You may be downloading malware with those free movies. The malware could “bombard you with ads, take over your computer, or steal your information,” [reports the FTC](https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/free-movies-costly-malware). Learn more about this scam [here](https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/free-movies-costly-malware).** ** ### **5. Utilities scam** If you get a call threatening to turn off your utilities unless you pay immediately, think twice. It could be a scammer trying to get you to part with your cash. A telltale sign of trouble is if the scammer asks for you to wire money or use a prepaid card. “That’s because scammers want your money quick, and they want to be hidden,” [the FTC reports](https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/dont-let-utility-scams-overpower-you). The best thing to do in this situation is to hang up and report the call to your utility company. Learn more about this type of scam [here](https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/dont-let-utility-scams-overpower-you).  If you suspect you have been scammed, report the incident to the FTC at 1-877-FTC HELP or [ftc.gov/complaint](http://www.ftc.gov/complaint).   *Have you checked your credit report lately? A review can be one of the quickest ways to see if you have been victimized by identity theft. As a Hanscom FCU member, you can access your credit report at no charge. *[*Schedule your review here*](https://www.hfcu.org/credit-score-review.html)*.* [![Request a free credit score review](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/118438/ebfcf88d-863b-4572-a009-f6997dba479a.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/118438/ebfcf88d-863b-4572-a009-f6997dba479a) ** [Security](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/security) [** 6 Ways Kids Can Earn Money This Summer ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/bid/184121/6-ways-kids-can-earn-money-this-summer) [** Facebook Scams: How to Spot and Avoid Them ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/facebook-scams-how-to-spot-and-avoid-them) ### About Author ![MaryJo Kurtz](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/file-2383552200-png/Blog_Authors/MaryJo_Kurtz.png) MaryJo Kurtz Related Posts [![Protect Your Accounts from the Rise of Check Fraud](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(16)-2.png) Protect Your Accounts from the Rise of Check Fraud ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/protect-your-accounts-from-the-rise-of-check-fraud) [![How to Avoid ID Theft Over the Holidays](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Blog%20Photos%20800%20x%20800px%20(1)-1.png) How to Avoid ID Theft Over the Holidays ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/bid/155005/don-t-let-identity-theft-ruin-your-holidays) [![How to Avoid the Latest Financial Scam: AI Voice Cloning](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Blog%20Photos%20800%20x%20800px-1.png) How to Avoid the Latest Financial Scam: AI Voice Cloning ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/ai-voice-cloning-scam) ** - [**](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://go.hfcu.org/blog/5-scams-making-news/) - [**](https://X.com/share?url=https://go.hfcu.org/blog/5-scams-making-news/) - [**](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://go.hfcu.org/blog/5-scams-making-news/&summary=&source=CeBIT) ## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union #### **Please read the following before proceeding to:** The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. 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The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site. ### Popular Posts [What You Need to Know About Putting Your Home in a Trust](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-putting-your-home-in-a-trust) ![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20-%202022-02-10T072804.753.jpg) [What You Need to Know About Your Federal Tax Bracket](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-your-tax-bracket) ![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20-%202021-03-22T123305.900.jpg) [6 Boat Types to Get on the Water](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/6-boat-types-to-get-on-the-water) ![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/images/Jet_Ski.jpg) [23 Organizations Dedicated to the Needs of Seniors](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/23-organizations-dedicated-to-the-needs-of-seniors) ![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Senior%20citizens.jpg) [9 Smart Moves for Lottery Winners](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/lottery) ![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/images/lottery_winner.jpg) ### Recent Posts - [![National Credit Union Administration](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NCUA-logo-small.png?width=95&name=NCUA-logo-small.png) ](https://www.ncua.gov/) [![Equal Housing Lender](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/EHL-logo-small.png?width=65&name=EHL-logo-small.png)](https://www.hud.gov/fairhousing) - @ 2023 [Hanscom Federal Credit Union](https://www.hfcu.org/) - Federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration. - [Privacy Policy](https://www.hfcu.org/content/docs/Privacy_Notice.pdf) **Disclosure:** Hanscom Federal Credit Union does not provide and is not responsible for any products, services, or overall website content available at any third-party sites linked within this blog. Moreover, Hanscom Federal Credit Union's privacy policies do not apply to any of the linked websites within this blog. Please consult the privacy disclosures on those linked sites for further information. ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "MaryJo Kurtz" }, "dateModified" : "February 17, 2020, 3:17:03 PM", "datePublished" : "2017-07-18 11:17:53", "description" : "To help all of us, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regularly reports on popular scams in circulation. Here are 5 popular scams making the rounds this season:", "headline" : "5 Scams Making News", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/118438/images/Scam%20on%20Keyboard.jpg" }, "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://go.hfcu.org/blog/5-scams-making-news", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/118438/Logo%202.jpg" }, "name" : "Hanscom Federal Credit Union" } } ```