FTC Warns Small Businesses: Don't Open Email Falsely Claiming to be From FTC

The Federal Trade Commission is warning small businesses:  An email that pretends to be from the FTC with “NOTIFICATION OF CONSUMER COMPLAINT” in the subject line is not from the FTC.

The email falsely states that a complaint has been filed against their company.  It contains a link to consumer complaints, a link to contact the FTC, and an FTC telephone number – but the email is fake.

The FTC’s advice:

• Do not open the email
• If you have opened it, do not click any links or attachments because they may install a virus or other spyware on your computer.
• Delete the email.

To learn more about malicious software (malware), visit OnGuardOnline.gov.

The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC's online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 2,000 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s website provides free information on a variety of consumer topics.  Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.