Federal Trade Commission

The perpetrators are trying to impersonate Embroker Insurance Service LLC, which is a licensed insurance broker/agency with it's headquarters located in San Francisco, CA. Fraudulent invoices are being sent to companies. Embroker was made aware of this activity and immediately reported it to authorities as further described. The attached fraudulent invoice and W-9 seek to have recipients send money ($19,712.09) via ACH to a bank account, purportedly as a means to pay for insurance policies. Embroker has no relationship with the bank receiving funds, Pathward NA. The W-9 has been forged. All examples of the invoices received to date from companies contacting Embroker for assistance have been identical to this sample except for the Named Insured and Contact information showing different companies - the amount of premium to be paid, coverages, policy numbers, effective/expiration dates have all been identical. Neither Embroker Insurance Services LLC or its parent company, Embroker, Inc., own or otherwise engage with embroker.net. We have reported this fraudulent activity to the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Insurance. A report to the FDIC is also in process. For purposes of this BBB report, the "targeted person" demographics have not been provided as we have several companies who have contacted us on this matter and their demographics are not consistent. For the "targeted person" information, we have entered in Embroker's HQ city, state and zip code. [BBB Scam Type: Other] [Business: Imposter Embroker.net] [Location: San Francisco, CA, USA - 94115]

I was initially contacted by “Apple Security via text message from 212774322492 informing me that there had been a purchase of $249.99 made and unless I contacted them within 9 hours at 888.358.5318, my Apple account and all devices connected to it, would be locked. Impulsively I called the number and was informed that an Apple Watch had been purchased using my information. I was then informed that they were unable to cancel the charge as the item had shipped: I was asked to provide the name of my bank as they would connect me to the bank’s “fraud department” after waiting a minute or two, I was connected to the “fraud department” of my “bank” and was informed by the individual who provided his “name” that in addition to the Apple charge, “I” had approved a transfer of around $2300 to “PLC investments”. I was then informed that the transfer(s) couldn’t be cancelled as my Social Security number had been “flagged” I was then transferred to an “agent” with the FTC who explained to me in detail that my personal identifiers were circulating on the “dark web” and had been used in the fraudulent opening of several bank accounts across 7 states and used in illicit wire transfers, foreign and domestic. I was told that I had been exposed to Federal criminal charges for fraud and money laundering considering that my Social Security number had been “flagged” since the beginning of January, 2026 and despite being the apparent victim of identity theft. I was informed by this “FTC official” that a filing of my case in a federal court in Washington, DC was to be made today, that I wasn’t under imminent threat of arrest, but that it was essential I continue working with him to get the matter resolved. Over the course of almost several hours, he provided me with many details of the various “avenues” in which the resolution of my case would take. In the interest of brevity, I was offered what was claimed to [BBB Scam Type: Government Agency Imposter] [Business: Apple security/ Federal

I was purchasing a puppy that would be shipped to me by plane. After paying for the puppy the man disappeared and no longer responded to texts or answered his phone after exchanging 50 or so texts with me about the process. He contacts me later again promising to send the puppy to me. Then nothing. He would contact me again with some excuse. He jerked me around for 5 days. Then all of a sudden he is shipping the puppy. I get an email from My Global Deliveries ( that doesn’t exist) telling me the crate the puppy is in isn’t acceptable. I must either buy one for $1200. or rent one for $999. That is refundable when I pick up the dog at the airport. And I can pay through Zelle, Chime or Apple Pay. I paid for the dog knowing nothing about Apple Pay, but he explained to me how to do it. He had sent me a video and several pictures of the puppy so I thought there really was a dog. I did not fall for it a second time. The breeder and the man representing the shipping company kept telling me to hurry before the flight took off to pay. Both men have the same indiscernible accent but they are hard to understand and do not talk proper English like the texts sent to me.The man representing the shipping company was not professional and I could hear little kids in the background. I knew this was a scam. They kept trying to rush me to pay before I lost the dog. There is no dog. This is a scam. I have filed a police report, filed a complaint with my bank, called Apple and filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). I am sure they are done this before. The number for the shipping agent is 281-759-2947. The breeder’s number is 512-758-3483. [BBB Scam Type: Online Purchase] [Business: Best Dachshunds Family] [Location: Colorado Springs, CO, USA - 80923]

Was called from someone who said he was an agent with the federal trade commission and that i was a victim of identity theft. That someone was opening accounts in several states using my social security number in different banks and credit union's. Said he was going to suspend my social security card and send me a new one and also freeze any money transactions from my credit union I went to my credit union and spoke with them. They told me there was no strange activity in my account, also that they would notify me if anything popped up. They also advised me to contact the BBB. [BBB Scam Type: Government Agency Imposter] [Business: Federal trade commission- Imposter D] [Location: Houston, TX, USA - 77039]

“Ftc and pch” Jamaican faker beggar A woman named Barbara Barnett called claiming she was from the Federal Trade Commission and claimed I had won 7.5 million dollars, 500,000 in cash, and a 2025 Lincoln Navigator. She said all I had to do was to send 4,000 to pay for the processing fees.  (646) 820-1494 Google voice

Weight Watchers’ (WW) Advertising of the “Core+” Plan Constitutes False and Deceptive Advertising Weight Watchers intentionally misleads consumers through its promotion of the Core+ subscription tier. The plan is prominently marketed as including “Access to GLP-1 Success Program with side-effect support” (and medication tracking). This language is crafted to create the clear impression that subscribers gain meaningful, comprehensive access to GLP-1-related benefits as part of their higher-priced membership. Yet this is false. The Core+ plan provides no access to GLP-1 medications themselves—no prescriptions, no telehealth consultations for obtaining them, and no coverage of their substantial cost. What WW actually delivers is nothing more than generic behavioral support (nutrition tracking, workshops, and side-effect logging) that is only useful if a consumer has already obtained a GLP-1 prescription independently from their own doctor. This is textbook misleading advertising. Under Federal Trade Commission standards, an advertisement is deceptive if it is likely to mislead a reasonable consumer acting under the circumstances. [BBB Scam Type: Online Purchase] [Business: WW International Inc.] [Location: NC, USA - 28031]

I saw a pair of electrical pliers that looked really handy. Therefore, I ordered a pair via PayPal on 2/13/2026. The original charge was for $46.48. I received tracking notifications several times until 3/07/2026. Supposedly, the item was being shipped from the United Kingdom. The last known location according to the tracking was Houston, TX. When I inquired about it to Victoriouts/Ironod Development Co., Ltd., on 4/06/2026, they claimed USPS delivered it on 3/13/2026. However, when I checked their tracking number on the USPS website, they stated it was an invalid number. I don't believe it was ever shipped at all. Interestingly, when I first started researching Ironod, they had a website. Now it is gone. I then reached out to PayPal to file a purchase dispute. They simply said they contacted Ironod and that I had received the package. I argued my point by calling PayPal customer service and spoke with the first level, then the second level. I also sent them via email the USPS page that proved the tracking number was invalid. I also sent them via email examples of complaints filed against Ironod including those to PayPal. On 4/06/2026, they credited my account for $60.42 ($13.94 more than the original transaction) but said they would research the dispute and notify me of their findings by 4/13/2026. Their decision stood that I had received the item solely based upon the reply from Ironod. Then they debited my account for $60.42. I am in the process of closing my account with PayPal on the grounds that they are supporting a fraudulent company and profiting from them. I am also going to report Ironod Development Co., Ltd. to the Federal Trade Commission. [BBB Scam Type: Online Purchase] [Business: Victoriouts/Ironod Development Co. Ltd.] [Location: IN, USA - 46236]

The FTC just sent warning letters to 97 dealer groups about hidden fees In March 2026, the *Federal Trade Commission* sent warning letters to 97 auto dealer groups across the country. The message was simple: the price you advertise has to be the price people actually pay. That means all mandatory fees included — not tacked on at signing. This matters because one of the most common complaints about dealerships is the gap between the advertised price and the final number on the contract. You see a car listed at $18,900 online. You show up. By the time you're signing, it's $21,400 because of a "documentation fee," a "dealer prep fee," a "lot fee," and whatever else they can wedge into the paperwork. Some of these fees are legitimate. Some aren't. The FTC's position is that it doesn't matter — if the buyer has to pay it, it needs to be in the advertised price. Period. **What to do with this information:** • If a dealer advertises a price and then adds fees at the contract stage, you have a legitimate complaint. Screenshot the listing before you go in. • The FTC specifically called out practices where dealers double-charge for services already included in the advertised price. • If you think a dealer is advertising one price and charging another, you can file a report at [ReportFraud.ftc.gov](https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/). Source: FTC press release, March 13, 2026

A person contacted me via Facebook, and wanted me to be "their friend" status. The person was legitimate sounding; however their Facebook profile appeared rather suspicious. The person listed above went by several listed profile names via Facebook & Instagram, such as Julie Leach, Julie Leach Lie/Liar, and Government Agent Lizzie Gilbert, respectively on Facebook, Instagram profiles. I was contacted again, yesterday persistently by the supposed Powerball mega money Michigan winner, Julie Leach, in that a money giveaway was taking place and that I was blessed because today, yesterday(whatever), I was on their top roster as getting awarded $100,000. LEACH/Leech goes on to harass me on how I need to pay up between $150-$350.00, in order to NOT miss out on my opportunity to secure these time sensitive funds,and what would I then do with this money if I were to receive it? I became very skeptical when aka. Faker leach, forwarded me to a linked associate she sent me a Facebook link to her cohort Agent Lizzie Gilbert, whereas the FB profile lettering of said Lizzie Gilbert looked as if it had Cyrillic letters? Not sure. Luzzie Gilbert was persistent and harassing trying to obtain money from me- this individual texted my cell phone, yes....I was thinking this might be legitimately ok, whereas, I really made a huge mistake in sharing my address, age, photo of my face, phone numbers and birthday plus shared 2 phone numbers, and my personal emails as follows:******************* & *******************, Also, the cell numbers I possess now as follows :************** & **************. Im worried I got duped, scammed, and my information compromised!! Im worried they may come after me because I threatened to report their duplicity to FBI cyber crimes, law enforcement & Federal trade commission when I was cheated via sending 100s of $ in Apple gift cards. [BBB Scam Type: Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes] [Business: None listed in call text] [Location: FL, USA - 32

Voicemail fill list get em Voicemail fill list go get em As with any scam number ONLY DIAL THESE NUMBERS ON VOIP APPS Voicemail fill list give each 45 messages with just a few seconds of sound. Press # to skip their message unless otherwise noted (646) 387-4788‬ fake pch giveaway beggar ‪(929) 787-3529‬ pch fake giveaway beggar “50 million and a Mercedes” \+1 (765) 208-9668 nigerian fake apartment listing scammer top tier rage (385) 326-8625 Cameroon puppy scammer (707) 613-1885 fake kitten seller Cameroonian beggar, picking up sometimes very mad 6465091341 pch fakers cold called me and now are pretending they aren’t Jamaican scammers after getting some heat (646) 387-4788 pch fakers driving him nuts. He’s going mad (725) 326-7886 “David Snyder pch” 310-437-3551 (310) 437-3551 nigerian fake giveaway beggar 929-787-3529 (929) 787-3529 929-787-3529 pch faker beggar (778) 793-7644 “winner’s circle” fake giveaway only takes 10 calls to fill 205-615-6864 nigerian fake giveaway beggar 15084962490 fake pch (914) 483-7003 pch fakers press # twice to skip intro hang for like 5 or 10 seconds because their Jamaican initial Carrier says disconnect but it goes back to their att - full but angry picking up, may empty but drive em nuts anyways 3024808951 nigerian fake giveaway beggar 16822560998 lady boy bomba James green \+1 917-600-4393 “Deborah Holland” PCH faker cold called me 202-439-7454 (202) 439-7454 2024397454 the worst Jamaican pretends to be a polish man in love with old ladies to turn them into money mules for his giveaway scam “Berlin podalski” rage boy and lady voice boy sometimes 3154032164 315-403-2164 fake pch (516) 423-7570 fake pch “cash for life promotions” 5125630946 Cameroon puppy scammer “pugs” \+1 (380) 263-7060 “Walter whiteman” pch faker (516) 376-4811 fake pch (917) 374-1864 pch press # twice to skip vm ignore the disconnect message it goes to vm after the error from their Jamaican carrier 1 (806) 283-3674 Indian fake mcafee (

Clarkson-NYC advertises online on Facebook and other social media sites. The ad depicts high quality clothing on sale for 50% off. However, the merchandise actually sent is cheap, low-quality clothing from China. The two shirts I received looked nothing like the high-quality shirt depicted in the online ad. Clarkson is guilty of using deceptive tactics to trick customers into placing orders. The advertising is false and misrepresents the quality of the merchandise they are actually selling. Clarkson refused my numerous email requests for information on how to return the shirts for a refund. Instead, they only offered a substitute replacement item in an effort to not refund any money. Also, Clarkson-New York appears to actually be based in the Netherlands (with goods from China) and not New York City as the name indicates. I have filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. [BBB Scam Type: Counterfeit Product] [Business: Clarkson-NYC] [Location: CA, USA - 92075]

Healthy Living apparently using an AI generated testimonial sells a supplement named Neurocept. Both Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Bruce Willis AI generations were used to promote the use and sale of Nuerocept and I believed their presentation. The presentation promised an unconditional, no questions asked, Money Back "Peace of Mind" 90-Day Guarantee. I received 6 bottles of "who knows what" several days after the purchase. I have attempted to contact Healthy Living a number of times by telephone and via e-mail in order to exercise the Money Back guarantee, Unfortunately, I have not received return contact. Upon further research, it appears that this SCAM is not a legitimate business and that Healthy Living has a least one Federal Trade Commission action filed. Sadly my brother's wife died of FTD about 4 years ago and I guess that the thought of finding a cure trumped my better judgement. Hopefully others will see this statement before they purchase Neurocept. [BBB Scam Type: Counterfeit Product] [Business: Healthy Living] [Location: PA, USA - 11111]

An ad popped before Christmas for organic high quality comfort shoes. I ordered two pair for family that had foot pain as gifts for $241.29. After a long wait, the very cheap plastic and foam shoes arrived. The recipients tried them on and both expressed their discomfort as well as dislike of the cheap quality. I reached out to Hike, for a refund, via email, as they don’t provide a phone. They attempted to convince me several times to take partial credit and I could keep shoes but I declined asking for a full refund. They stated I had to “apply” for a refund and wait to receive an approval #. As I filled out this form, it gave options to choose a reason for return, the only option it allowed me to choose was “other” or else I couldn’t proceed with application process, so I couldn’t leave an honest reason. When I finally received approval #, I had to print this out and ship out packages at my expense. Also I had to agree to their Give Back Box which donates to the needy, which I’d like to believe is the case but at this point I think it’s a tax write off. I have tracking info through USPS which informed me someone at their warehouse in North Hills received the items on 1/9/26. I reached out to Hike giving them tracking info and first they thanked me for tracking info and said they would reach out once they approved return. Even after complying with all of their ridiculous requirements, today they said “your return is rejected” we didn’t receive tracking info and it’s been more than 30days, not true. They’ve been doing this back and forth as to prolong the process so I don’t meet the deadline for returns. I finally told them today, that if I didn’t receive a refund I would report them to the Federal Trade Commission and I have reported them. I called my credit card company to file a dispute and they advised I file a report with you as well. Thank you for your time. [BBB Scam Type: Counterfeit Product] [Business: Hike Footwear] [Location: CA, USA- 90016]

I placed an online order with RodeoChic on February 21, 2026, for a dress and requested cancellation twice before it shipped (March 5 and March 8). The business ignored my request and shipped the item on March 9. I received the product on March 19, 2026, and it is significantly different from what was advertised. The company acknowledged this, as well as not honoring the cancellation request in accordance with its cancellation policy listed on its website, but is only offering a partial refund. I am requesting a full refund due to the failure to honor the cancellation and the misrepresentation of the product. I have submitted a formal dispute for the charge to my bank, as well as filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission and the Arizona Attorney General. [BBB Scam Type: Counterfeit Product] [Business: RodeoChic] [Location: AZ, USA- 85326]

I would like to file a BBB report regarding a suspected fraud and coercion incident involving a landscaping service. An individual with 4 others in high vis clothing came to my property offering lawn services. Without clearly disclosing any pricing or agreement other than $15 dollars a bag, they began altering my yard by digging holes and removing sections of grass. This created a situation where my property was left significantly damaged, and I felt pressured to continue. Only after this did they demand $4,700 for what they described as 250 bags used for lawn fertilization. The price was never clearly communicated beforehand, and the amount is far beyond normal market rates. I would not have agreed to this if the true cost had been disclosed. They also never showed proof of license. Due to their aggressiveness, I felt coerced into paying. Based on the sequence of events, I believe this was a deliberate act of deception and coercion to force payment. I have already reported the incident to the Federal Trade Commission and am also disputing the charge with my bank. I have also initiated a police report. I truly hope this information helps others so that they do not fall for these common scheme. [BBB Scam Type: Home Improvement] [Business: Armas] [Location: CA, USA- 92399]