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United States (US)

The United States is a federation of 50 states and the District of Columbia spanning six time zones from the Atlantic to the Pacific, plus Alaska and Hawaii.

Capital: Washington, D.C.
Region: Americas
Language: English
Currency: USD ($)
Cost of living: Expensive (index 75)
Emergency: 911
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Scam Warnings

Common scams targeting expats in United States.

The United States is the world's largest fraud target by absolute dollar value. The FTC recorded $15.9 billion in consumer fraud losses in 2025, and the FBI's IC3 logged $20.9 billion in cybercrime losses the same year. Newcomers and immigrants are disproportionately targeted through IRS and SSA impersonation, USCIS scams, rental fraud, and romance/investment schemes. No federal agency will ever demand immediate payment by phone, gift card, wire, or cryptocurrency — that combination is always a scam. There is no general 14-day withdrawal right in the US; the FTC cooling-off rule gives only 3 days for door-to-door sales.

IRS Impersonation Scam

critical

A caller claims to be from the IRS and demands immediate payment for back taxes, threatening arrest, deportation, or licence suspension. Payment is demanded by gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. IRS impersonation has appeared on the agency's "Dirty Dozen" threat list every year through 2026. In 2025, more than 1 million imposter-scam reports were filed with the FTC, with over $3.5 billion in losses.

How to spot it
  • - The IRS always contacts taxpayers by postal mail first — it does not make first contact by phone
  • - The IRS never demands immediate payment via gift card, wire, cryptocurrency, or Zelle
  • - The IRS never threatens immediate police arrest or deportation over a tax bill
  • - The IRS never asks you to keep the call secret or prevent you from questioning the amount owed
  • - Caller ID shows "IRS" or a Washington DC area code — both are trivially spoofed
What to do: Hang up. Do not engage, confirm your SSN, or pay anything. Verify your actual tax account at irs.gov or call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040. Report the call to the Treasury Inspector General at tigta.gov/reportcrime-misconduct and to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Social Security Administration (SSA) Impersonation

critical

Caller claims your Social Security number has been "suspended" due to criminal activity and threatens arrest unless you pay immediately to "protect" or "reactivate" it. A February 2026 SSA OIG alert warned of a fresh surge in fraudulent Social Security statement emails. SSA impersonation accounts for a large share of the over 330,000 government-impersonation complaints the FTC received in 2025.

How to spot it
  • - SSA never suspends or cancels a Social Security number
  • - SSA never calls demanding immediate payment of any kind
  • - SSA never asks you to transfer money, buy gift cards, or purchase gold bars to "protect" funds
  • - SSA never threatens arrest in a phone call
  • - Caller may already have part of your personal information to seem credible — this does not make the call legitimate
What to do: Hang up immediately. Do not confirm or correct any personal information. Report the call to the SSA Office of Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov/report and to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Check your actual SSA account at ssa.gov.

USCIS / Immigration Impersonation

critical

Caller claims to be from USCIS or ICE, threatening immediate deportation unless payment is made for a "visa hold", "immigration violation", or "warrant". Alternatively, fraudulent "notarios" and unlicensed immigration consultants promise guaranteed green cards or fast visa approvals for large upfront fees.

How to spot it
  • - USCIS never calls demanding payment as a condition of maintaining immigration status
  • - No legitimate government agency threatens deportation via a phone call for immediate payment
  • - Offers of "guaranteed" visa or green card approval are always false — no one can guarantee USCIS outcomes
  • - Notarios (non-attorney immigration service providers) cannot legally represent you before USCIS
  • - Caller may use real-sounding USCIS office names and case numbers
What to do: Hang up. Verify your actual immigration case status at egov.uscis.gov. Report to USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 and to ICE tip line at 1-866-347-2423 or ice.gov/tips. Only use a licensed immigration attorney or accredited representative.

Real Estate Wire Fraud (Closing Scam)

critical

Scammers hack or monitor email chains between homebuyers, real estate agents, and title companies. Days before closing, they send convincing fake wire instructions redirecting the purchase funds to their account. Once wired, funds are typically unrecoverable. This scam costs US homebuyers hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

How to spot it
  • - Wire instructions arrive by email rather than being handed over in person at the title office
  • - Last-minute change to previously confirmed wire instructions
  • - Email address contains subtle misspellings or domain variations (title-co.com vs titleco.com)
  • - Urgent tone pressuring you to wire immediately
  • - Wire destination is a domestic account that differs from the title company's usual bank
What to do: ALWAYS call the title company using a phone number you obtained independently (not from the email) before wiring any funds. Verify wiring instructions verbally on every transaction. Never rely solely on emailed instructions. If you wired to a fraudulent account, call your bank immediately — the FBI's Financial Fraud Kill Chain may be able to intercept funds if contacted within 72 hours.

Rental Scam (Craigslist / Facebook Marketplace / Zillow)

critical

Fraudster copies a real listing from a legitimate site, re-posts it at a below-market price, and claims to be an overseas landlord. Demands a wire transfer, Zelle, or Venmo payment for a "deposit" to hold the unit before any showing. Heavily targets high-demand markets: NYC, LA, SF, Miami, and Austin. Overseas buyers relocating to the US before arrival are especially vulnerable.

How to spot it
  • - Rent significantly below market for the area and unit size
  • - Landlord is "abroad", "on a mission", or "cannot show the property in person"
  • - Pushes for payment via Zelle, Venmo, wire, or cryptocurrency before lease is signed
  • - No credit check required — a legitimate landlord always verifies tenants
  • - Photos are stock images or match a listing on a different platform at a higher price (reverse image search)
What to do: Never send money before physically viewing the property and verifying ownership via public county property records. Use a legitimate leasing agent or property management company for high-value markets. Report to the platform (Craigslist, Facebook) and local police. Zelle payments to scammers are generally non-recoverable.

Romance Scam / Pig Butchering

critical

Online contact (via dating app, social media, or a "wrong number" WhatsApp message) builds a trusting relationship over weeks or months, then introduces a high-return cryptocurrency investment platform. After the victim deposits progressively larger sums, the platform is shut down and the scammer vanishes. Investment fraud was the largest FTC loss category in 2025 at $7.9 billion, with romance-linked investment schemes a major driver.

How to spot it
  • - Contact initiated via a misdirected text, social media, or dating app from someone unusually attractive and interested
  • - Relationship escalates quickly; person never meets in person and avoids video calls
  • - Introduces a "sure-thing" investment platform with impressive-looking returns
  • - Any request for money for an "emergency", travel, customs fees, or investment top-up
  • - Platform requires a "tax" or "withdrawal fee" before you can access your profits
What to do: Cease all contact. Do not send any further funds. Report to the FBI IC3 at ic3.gov and FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Reverse image search the person's photos. Tell a trusted person offline — shame and secrecy are the scammer's best tools.

Tech Support Scam (Microsoft / Apple Impersonation)

warning

A pop-up or browser lock-screen displays a fake Microsoft or Apple security alert with a phone number. Caller asks for remote access via AnyDesk or TeamViewer and then demands payment to "remove" a virus or "secure" the account. Tech support scams were the third-largest category in the FBI IC3 2025 report at $2.13 billion in losses.

How to spot it
  • - Microsoft and Apple never display phone numbers in security alerts
  • - Neither company initiates unsolicited calls about your device
  • - Requests for remote access software (AnyDesk, TeamViewer, Quick Assist)
  • - Payment demanded by gift cards, wire, or cryptocurrency
  • - Caller claims to find bank account "hacking" and asks you to move funds to a "safe" account
What to do: Close the browser (force-quit if needed). Do not call the number. Do not install any remote-access software. Run a reputable antivirus if concerned. Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and FBI IC3 at ic3.gov.

Medicare / Medicaid Fraud and Benefits Scam

warning

Callers impersonate Medicare or CMS representatives, offering "free" medical equipment, benefits cards, or genetic testing kits in exchange for your Medicare number. The number is then used for fraudulent billing. Separately, scammers offer to "enrol" seniors in Medicare Advantage for a fee — enrolment is free.

How to spot it
  • - Unsolicited call offering free medical equipment or benefits in exchange for your Medicare number
  • - Offer of free genetic testing kits — a known Medicare fraud vector
  • - Any request to pay to enrol in or keep Medicare benefits
  • - Threats that benefits will be lost unless you act immediately
What to do: Never give your Medicare number to an unsolicited caller. Legitimate Medicare enrolment is free. Report Medicare fraud to the HHS OIG hotline at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477) or oig.hhs.gov. Report general Medicare fraud to the Senior Medicare Patrol at smpresource.org.

Grandparent / Emergency Family Scam

warning

Caller impersonates a grandchild, family member, or their lawyer, claiming to be in jail, in a car accident, or in a hospital, and urgently needs cash wired or gift cards bought to avoid arrest or cover medical bills. Often targets elderly or recent immigrant families with less familiarity with US institutions.

How to spot it
  • - Frantic call from someone claiming to be a grandchild or relative in trouble
  • - Caller asks you not to tell other family members
  • - Urgent cash demand via wire, Zelle, or gift cards
  • - "Lawyer" or "bail bondsman" calls back to coordinate payment
  • - Voice may be slightly different — "I have a cold" is a common explanation
What to do: Hang up and call the family member directly on their known number. Verify the story through another family member before taking any action. Real lawyers do not demand gift cards. Report to local police and FTC.

Fake Check / Overpayment Scam

warning

Scammer posing as an employer, buyer, or lottery administrator sends a check for more than the agreed amount, asks you to deposit it and wire back the difference. The check bounces days later — the wire is gone and you owe the bank the full amount.

How to spot it
  • - Job offered without interview, pays by check not direct deposit
  • - Buyer on Craigslist or Facebook sends a check for more than the asking price
  • - You are asked to wire or Zelle part of the funds to a "supplier" or "agent"
  • - Urgency to act before the check clears ("funds are available" on your app, not the same as cleared)
What to do: Wait the full clearing period (typically 5–7 business days, sometimes longer for out-of-state checks) before disbursing any funds. Legitimate employers use direct deposit. Report to local police, FTC, and the bank that issued the fraudulent check.

Zelle / Venmo / CashApp Payment Fraud

warning

Scammers impersonate your bank's fraud department, warn of "suspicious activity", and tell you to Zelle money to yourself to "protect" it — the receiving account is controlled by the scammer. Also common: fake sellers on marketplace apps who request Zelle before shipping. Bank-initiated Zelle scams may now qualify for reimbursement under some bank policies following regulatory pressure, but recovery is not guaranteed.

How to spot it
  • - Your bank calls (or texts) warning of fraud and asks you to move money via Zelle to a "safe account"
  • - Any marketplace seller who insists on Zelle, CashApp, or Venmo only, with no other option
  • - Pressure to complete the Zelle transfer before "the fraud window closes"
  • - Zelle address provided differs slightly from what you expect
What to do: Hang up and call your bank using the number on the back of your card. Banks never ask you to Zelle money to protect it. Zelle transfers are nearly impossible to reverse. Report to your bank, CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint, and FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Reporting

Where to report: Federal Trade Commission: ReportFraud.ftc.gov or 1-877-382-4357. FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: ic3.gov (cybercrime and investment fraud). Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: consumerfinance.gov/complaint (bank/financial fraud). SSA OIG: oig.ssa.gov/report (Social Security scams). Treasury TIGTA: tigta.gov (IRS scams). USCIS: 1-800-375-5283 (immigration fraud). Local police for in-person or criminal fraud.

Consumer helpline: FTC Consumer Response Center: 1-877-382-4357 (toll-free). CFPB: 1-855-411-2372. FBI IC3: ic3.gov (online complaint portal).