WARNING: Dangerous New Email Scam Is Wiping Out Bank Accounts. If You Get This Email Delete It Immediately!
By Michele
The FTC is sending out a warning about a recent scam after some people reported getting an email that claims to be from Ohlhausen, asking for financial details in exchange for a chunk of the government’s $586 million settlement with Western Union.
The email asks you to give your bank account information so you can get money from the government’s settlement with Western Union.
The latest example: Some people have gotten an email that claims to be from Maureen Ohlhausen, the FTC’s Acting Chairman. But it’s not. The email asks you to give your bank account information – so, it says, you can get money from the government’s settlement with Western Union. The email is a scam to steal your financial information. And it’s just the latest variation of an imposter scam. In 2016, consumers reported more complaints about imposter scams to the FTC than any other fraud.
The whole purpose of this email is to steal your financial information. If you receive an email like this, don’t respond or click any links in the email. You can forward it to the FTC at spam@uce.gov.
Although there is a settlement in the works, the U.S. Department of Justice will run the refund process, not the FTC. That process has yet to begin.
This email is a good reminder that scammers are skilled liars. They’ll say anything or claim to be anyone to get your financial information – then they’ll use it to steal from your financial accounts or commit other crimes.
The FTC does shut down scams and return money to people who lost it to dishonest or unfair business practices. But we will never ask for money, your Social Security number, or any banking information so you can apply for a refund or cash a check. If the FTC needs to get money to you, we usually send a check through the mail.
Got a question? We’ve got more information about our current refund programs and our procedures for refunding money at FTC.gov/refunds.
sources: consumerist.com / consumer.ftc.gov
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