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KEYWORD_WORLD · Life · Checked 29 October 2026 (KST) If a caller says you must pay a fee to receive a charity sweepstakes prize, stop. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says a demand for money to claim a prize is a scam sign. Hang up and independently contact the organisation using information you find yourself. In an alert dated 26 October 2026 , the FTC warned that impostors may use a real charity’s name and claim a donor has won. This guide explains the US agency’s advice and the checks a recipient can make before acting. Spot the fee · Check independently · Compare two claims · If you already paid A fee changes the conversation A sweepstakes is a prize drawing decided by chance. The FTC says legitimate US sweepstakes are free to enter and that paying cannot improve your odds. Someone asking for a fee to release a prize is displaying a scam warning sign, even if they call it a tax, shipping cost or processing charge. A genuine organisation’s name can be misused. Calle...

KEYWORD_WORLD · Life · Checked 28 October 2026 (KST) The FTC’s published plan starts Cleo AI PayPal refund payments on 27 October 2026. It tells recipients to accept their payment within 30 days. The useful next step is to check the official case information and your own payment instructions separately. The Cleo AI refund page lists 2,124,796 payments totaling more than $15.8 million for people who paid for eligible instant cash advances. That describes a program, rather than a personal refund amount or a promise that every Cleo user will receive money. Read the dates · Use an independent route · Keep the 30-day window clear · Find the right help Three dates describe different steps The FTC’s announcement was published on 8 October 2026 . Its case page gives the following sequence. A published start date does not show that an individual payment has arrived. Stage FTC schedule Meaning Plan 8 October The public plan Advance notices 8–26 October Emails to eligible recipients P...

KEYWORD_WORLD · Life · Checked 25 October 2026 (KST) If someone claiming to be the FTC threatens to deactivate your phone number, hang up. Choose a contact route independently before checking any claim. A badge number, a transfer to supposed police or a search directed by the caller does not establish who is on the line. The US Federal Trade Commission’s 22 October consumer alert describes callers claiming that a phone registered in your name is being used for scams abroad. They threaten disconnection, seek personal information and eventually demand a security deposit. The FTC says it does not threaten to disconnect your phone. End the call · Check the claimed proof · Choose a contact route · Act after sharing End the call before checking the story The FTC’s imposter-scam guide explains the basic problem: an imposter pretends to be someone you trust to obtain money, account access or personal information. Caller ID can be faked. A familiar name or number on the screen is th...

KEYWORD_WORLD · Life · Checked 20 October 2026 (KST) The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is sending 65,022 checks totaling more than $9.8 million to people affected by money-transfer fraud at Walmart. The 15 October 2026 announcement says recipients should cash their checks within 90 days, as shown on the check. You do not need to pay a fee to receive an FTC payment. If a refund letter arrives, verify the programme first, then deal with the check’s date or any correction. This guide explains that sequence and separates the announced payments from messages trying to take more money. Verify a letter · Who the programme covers · Missing or incorrect checks · Spot another scam Start with these four checks Open the official directory yourself. Type ftc.gov/refunds into your browser. It leads to the FTC’s active refund programmes . Choose Walmart Refunds rather than following an unexpected message’s link. Match the programme and the contact. The Walmart refund page names Rust C...

KEYWORD_WORLD · Life · Checked 19 October 2026 (KST) If someone threatens to share intimate images for money, use official reporting and free support routes before paying a company that promises a fix. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s October 13 consumer alert warns about paid services that make misleading promises of help. Sextortion means using threats about intimate images to demand money or other things. You can ask for help. A calm first step is to stop contact with the blackmailer and speak with someone you trust. The FTC’s enforcement announcement describes allegations that a service provider misled people about stopping threats and reporting offenders. A complaint sets out allegations; it is not a final court judgment. This article explains the official help routes and their limits, rather than promising a particular outcome. In this article Take the first steps · Choose the right free route · Understand the limits · Check a promise of help Start with the threat...