Consumer Fraud Guides
Structured guides for US consumers — dispute unauthorized charges, verify investments, recognize phishing, and report fraud to the FTC, CFPB, and FBI. Each silo links to TitanAlert lookup databases.
Unauthorized Bank Charges — Complete Guide
How to identify fraudulent card descriptors, dispute unauthorized charges under Regulation E and the Fair Credit Billing Act, and report billing scams in the US.
Chargeback Basics for US Consumers
What a chargeback is, when to request one, and how Regulation E and FCBA protect debit and credit card holders.
Subscription Trap Charges on Your Statement
How free-trial scams hide recurring billing behind vague descriptors and what to do when cancellation pages fail.
Card Testing Fraud — Small Mystery Charges
Why scammers place $0.01–$5.00 charges on stolen cards and how to respond before larger fraud hits.
Regulation E — Debit Card Dispute Rights
Federal protections for unauthorized electronic fund transfers on US debit and prepaid cards.
Bank Dispute Timeline — What to Expect
Step-by-step timeline from spotting a fraudulent charge to provisional credit and final resolution.
Investment & Crypto Scam Defense Guide
Verify brokers and crypto platforms, recognize pig butchering and recovery scams, and report investment fraud to the SEC and FBI.
How to Verify SEC Registration
Use Investor.gov and the SEC PAUSE list before sending money to any broker or investment platform.
Pig Butchering Scams — Red Flags
Romance-linked investment fraud: how scammers build trust before draining savings.
Fake Trading Platforms — Warning Signs
Identify fraudulent forex, crypto, and options platforms before you deposit.
Recovery Scam Trap — Second Fraud Wave
After losing money, victims are targeted by fake recovery firms demanding upfront fees.
Crypto Rug Pulls and Token Scams
How developers drain liquidity and leave investors with worthless tokens.
Fraudulent Websites — Identification Guide
Detect lookalike domains, fake checkout pages, and brand impersonation sites before you enter payment details.
Lookalike Domain Scams
Typosquatting and homograph attacks that mimic trusted brands.
Fake Checkout and Payment Pages
Phishing checkouts that steal card numbers during fake sales or refunds.
SSL Padlock Myths — HTTPS Is Not Trust
Why encrypted connections do not prove a website is safe.
Brand Impersonation Websites
Fake support portals for Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, and banks.
Safe Browsing Tools for US Consumers
Use TitanAlert, browser warnings, and official apps to verify sites.
Email Phishing — Recognition and Response
Identify spoofed senders, malicious attachments, and business email compromise before you click or pay.
Spoofed Email Senders
How scammers fake From addresses and display names.
Malicious Email Attachments
Invoice, receipt, and voicemail attachments that install malware.
Urgent Payment Request Emails
Wire transfer and gift card demands from impersonated executives.
Business Email Compromise (BEC)
How BEC targets payroll, vendors, and real estate closings.
How to Report Phishing Emails
Forward phishing to your provider, employer, and the FTC.
SMS Scams (Smishing) — Complete Guide
Recognize fraudulent texts about deliveries, bank alerts, and government notices. Report smishing to carriers and regulators.
Fake Delivery and Package Texts
USPS, UPS, FedEx, and Amazon delivery smishing patterns.
Fake Bank Alert Texts
Fraudulent "unusual activity" texts that link to credential theft.
Government Impersonation Texts
Fake IRS, SSA, and DMV texts demanding immediate action.
2FA Intercept and OTP Theft
Scammers trick you into sharing one-time codes to hijack accounts.
Report Smishing to Your Carrier
Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM) on major US carriers.
Phone Scam Defense Guide
Robocalls, tech support scams, caller ID spoofing, and area-code traps — how to verify callers and report fraud.
Robocall Red Flags
Automated calls about warranties, arrests, and prize winnings.
Tech Support Phone Scams
Fake Microsoft, Apple, and antivirus support calls.
Caller ID Spoofing Explained
Why your bank's number can appear on a scam call.
Area Code Traps and Neighbor Spoofing
Local area codes used to trick you into answering.
National Do Not Call Registry
Register your number and report violations to the FTC.
Identity Theft Recovery Guide
Credit freezes, tax identity theft, SSN misuse, and data breach response for US consumers.
Credit Freeze Basics
Freeze Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to block new account fraud.
IRS Tax Identity Theft
Respond when someone files a tax return using your SSN.
Social Security Number Misuse
Signs your SSN is compromised and steps to protect benefits.
Data Breach Response Checklist
What to do when a company notifies you of a breach.
Report Identity Theft — FTC and Police
Create an FTC recovery plan and file a police report when needed.
Government Impersonation Scams
IRS, Social Security, Medicare, and student loan impersonation — how federal agencies actually contact Americans.
IRS Impersonation Scams
Fake IRS calls, texts, and emails demanding immediate tax payment.
Social Security Scam Calls
Suspended SSN threats and fake SSA benefit verification.
Medicare Fraud Calls
Fake Medicare card replacement and durable medical equipment scams.
Student Loan Forgiveness Scams
Fake relief programs charging fees for free federal programs.
Report Benefit Theft and Impersonation
Where to report government impersonation scams in the US.
Consumer Complaint & Recovery Rights
CFPB complaints, FDIC bank disputes, state attorney general actions, and small claims options for US consumers.
CFPB Complaint Process
How to file a banking or lending complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
FDIC Bank Complaints
When to contact the FDIC about state-chartered bank issues.
State Attorney General Consumer Protection
Report fraud patterns to your state AG consumer division.
Small Claims Court for Consumer Disputes
When small claims makes sense for merchant fraud under state limits.
Class Action Awareness
How consumer class actions relate to widespread billing fraud.
Guides last updated 2026-07-02.