Free money on social media? Nah. It’s a scam (2024)

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The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.

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JAS

May 21, 2024

1. Report
2. Block
3. Delete

  • Reply

Lynne Lyons

May 21, 2024

Thanks for your warning. I appreciate you.

  • Reply

Steve Brown

May 21, 2024

At least once or twice a week I receive something from someone on Facebook.com telling me that they have received anywhere from $150,000 to $450,000 in cash from someone representing the Community Block Development Program (CBDP) or some other type of Federal Program. All I have to do is connect with their site or someone's and answer a few simple questions and give them authority to takeover my Facebook page to solicit/contact people on my address book and they will send thousands of dollars to my friends. I have shut off these people in any way possible.
I believe that you should know about this as this is fraud (if nothing else).

  • Reply

Crotalus

May 22, 2024

Sounds like mostly Facebook scams, but I do see these stupid scammers on Twitter once in a while.
They always have tiny accounts with unbelievable stories about sharing their win 😜
I never follow back, but just report them.

  • Reply

Joann Davis

May 22, 2024

What about all these abbs about money from the Government 5400.00 6400.00 for low income and seniors

  • Reply

FTC Staff

May 22, 2024

In reply to What about all these abbs… by Joann Davis

The government doesn't offer "free money" for individuals. Federal grants of free money are usually only for states and organizations. But you might be able to get a federal loan for education, a small business, or other reasons. Learn about help paying for food, health care, or utilities on this federal government page: www.usa.gov/benefits.

  • Reply

Brandon Bushnell

May 23, 2024

In reply to What about all these abbs… by Joann Davis

You missed those on disability, but I believe that goes without saying.

  • Reply

Fernando Velez

May 23, 2024

I am so glad the FTC rolled up their sleeves and embarked in a consumer education and fraud prevention campaign, a task that should be within all (state and federal) consumer protection agencies consumer education activities and campaigns.

Bravo FTC!

  • Reply

n. oligney

May 23, 2024

PCH publisher's clearing house is actual true.. But PCH Publisher clearing house being used as Scammers saying you have won..

  • Reply

Brandon Bushnell

May 23, 2024

I had a scammer inpersonate my dad on Facebook. They somehow know I am disabled and said to reply to some fake account displaying someone I do not know, and said to reply now to this fake profile to claim my earnings of some fake disability program. Acting as is they were my dad, they claimed he won my by replying to this fake Facebook account.

  • Reply

Frank G

May 28, 2024

Thanks for the info. I thought it was a scam but there was that "what if" feeling. Your info brought peace of mind.

  • Reply

Carl bowles

May 30, 2024

They often use fake celebrity endorsem*nts that look real. Dr Phil ,Dr Oz and Taylor swift are scammers current favorites.

  • Reply
Free money on social media? Nah. It’s a scam (2024)
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