The pitch arrives by phone, text, letter, or a social media ad: for a small fee, a "benefits specialist" can unlock a bigger Social Security check. There is no bigger check. There is only the fee.

On September 21 the Social Security Administration's inspector general warned that scammers are charging people for "help" increasing their benefits. They point victims to official-looking websites, collect an upfront payment, then ask for the Social Security number and bank details that let them do real damage. Here is the part they hope you don't know: your benefit amount is set by law, based on your earnings record. It is not negotiable, and no insider can raise it for a price.

The rule: Social Security never charges a fee to increase benefits. Hang up, and if you're unsure, call SSA yourself at 1-800-772-1213. Create your own account at ssa.gov/myaccount before a scammer does, and report the pitch at ssa.gov/scam.

Source: SSA OIG: Don't Pay for Promises of Increased SSA Benefits

A promoter offers you a can't-miss tax break: a "Tribal Tax Credit" that wipes out what you owe, available at a discount if you act fast. The credit does not exist.

On September 18 the IRS warned that promoters are selling these made-up credits to taxpayers, businesses, and tribal communities. The sales kit looks convincing: talk of secret government agreements, official-sounding legal opinions nobody can verify, even nondisclosure agreements to keep you from asking around. The red flags: credits sold for less than face value, pressure to act now, and paperwork you're not allowed to show your own accountant. Buy in, and you are the one who owes the correct tax, plus penalties and interest.

The rule: Real tax credits are never sold like clearance items. Look up any credit by name at IRS.gov before paying anyone a dollar, and report the pitch to the IRS with Form 14242.

Source: IRS: IRS warns of tax credit scams targeting the tribal community

When a storm is coming, the price of what you need to stay safe should not ride the wind. As a severe coastal storm bore down on New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley last week, the state's attorney general put businesses on notice.

On September 26 New York Attorney General Letitia James warned that price gouging during a declared emergency is illegal: no wildly excessive prices on essentials like food, water, gas, generators, batteries, flashlights, hotel rooms, or transportation. Each violation can cost a business up to $25,000. Most states have similar laws that switch on the moment an emergency is declared, so this applies well beyond New York.

The rule: If a price jumps during an emergency, document it. Photograph the price tag or ad, keep your receipt, and note the date and location. New Yorkers can report gouging at 800-771-7755; everywhere else, report it to your own state attorney general.

Source: NY Attorney General: Attorney General James Warns New Yorkers About Price Gouging During Severe Coastal Storm

Two weeks ago we covered the Take It Down Act, the federal law that makes platforms remove a real or AI-faked intimate image within 48 hours of your report. This week the FTC answered the obvious next question: what if the platform ignores you?

On September 23 the FTC spelled out the escalation path. If a website or app fails to remove the image within 48 hours, or offers no way to report it at all, you can now report the platform itself to the FTC at TakeItDown.ftc.gov. You'll give the platform's name and where the image was posted; sharing your own information is optional. The same site connects you with support organizations and free tools that keep an image from spreading.

The rule: Never pay and never negotiate with anyone threatening you over photos. Report the image to the platform, and if 48 hours pass with no action, report the platform to the FTC.

Source: FTC: How to report a platform that doesn't take down your intimate images