Scammers exploit Iran conflict with new fraud tactics

As the war in Iran continues, scammers are already finding ways to exploit the conflict, according to the Federal Trade Commission.The agency says it is receiving reports of scammers using the situation as a pretext to trick people into sending money or sharing sensitive financial information. The schemes follow familiar patterns but are updated with references to the conflict. The FTC highlighted three common variations consumers should watch for.The fraud alert scamYou get a call or text that looks like it’s from your bank, warning about charges linked to Iran. Then you’re transferred to someone claiming to be with a government agency, like the FTC, who asks for your bank information. The FTC says this is a scam and government agencies will never ask for your financial details.A romance scam with a twist Someone you’ve been talking to online says they’ve been deployed to Iran and suddenly need money — for an emergency, or because they can’t access their account. The FTC says urgent requests are a key warning sign of a scam. Fake charity scams Scammers may claim they’re helping people affected by the conflict and pressure you to donate using gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers — payment methods the FTC says are commonly used in scams.If you think you’ve encountered one of these scams, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.Stay Connected with the National Consumer UnitGet clear, actionable consumer reporting delivered across platforms.Follow National Consumer Correspondent Allie Jasinski for real-time updates, myth-busting videos and behind-the-scenes reporting on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.Have a question you’d like us to investigate? Email us at askallie@hearst.com