01/16/2024

Beware of new CFPB imposter scams

CFPB

This week, we confirmed that scammers are using CFPB employees’ names to try to defraud members of the public. We’ve heard from people, specifically older adults, who received phone or video calls.

We can’t say it enough – the CFPB will NEVER contact you and ask you for sensitive information or to pay money. This includes never asking you to pay an upfront fee or taxes, or telling you that you’ve won a lottery, sweepstakes, or class-action lawsuit. We also won’t ask you for personal or sensitive information before you can cash a check we’ve issued.

The latest phone and video scams may include:

• A phone or video call or an email from an imposter claiming to be a CFPB or other U.S. government official
• Messages or calls notifying you of an opportunity to participate in a class-action lawsuit, or that you’ve won a lawsuit or owe money you didn’t expect.
• Being told you must first pay taxes or another upfront fee to collect the money. They may continue to find “reasons” for you to pay more fees or taxes. It is all part of the scam.

If you’re contacted by someone from the CFPB and want to confirm whether it’s real or a scam, call our consumer call center at (855) 411-2372 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.

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