What we verified in “Housing scams: the complete guide to spotting them”

Statements and where we checked them

The statements with rules, figures or dates, with the exact place in the source and the date we checked them.

1. The FTC describes two patterns of fake rental ads: scammers copy the pictures, description or virtual tour from a real listing and repost it with their own contact information, or they advertise places that are not for rent or do not exist, with surprisingly low rent or amazing amenities; the fake owner often says they are out of the country and rushes you.

   Sources 1 · Rental Listing Scams (June 2026), 'How Rental Scam Ads Work': 'Scammers copy the pictures, description, or virtual tour from a real online rental listing'; 'The fake ads might offer surprisingly low rent or amazing amenities' · Checked October 16, 2026

2. According to the FTC, signs of a rental scam are: rent much lower than typical rents in the area; pressure to decide quickly; a home listed for sale rather than for rent; an owner who will not show the property and makes excuses; demands for payment by wire transfer, gift cards or cryptocurrency; and requests for your Social Security number, a photo of your license or your pay stubs before you have agreed to rent.

   Sources 1 · Rental Listing Scams (June 2026), 'Signs of a Scam': rent 'much lower than typical rents'; 'pressures you to decide quickly'; 'listed for sale'; 'won't show the property'; 'wire transfer… gift cards, or cryptocurrency'; 'Social Security number, license photo, or paystubs before you've agreed to rent' · Checked October 16, 2026

3. The FTC says paying by wire transfer, gift cards or cryptocurrency is 'the same as sending cash': once the money is sent, you probably will not get it back.

   Sources 1 · Rental Listing Scams (June 2026), 'How to Avoid Scams', payment: wire transfers, gift cards and cryptocurrency are 'the same as sending cash' · Checked October 16, 2026

4. The FTC asks you to report rental listing scams to local law enforcement, the website where the ad was posted, the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and your state attorney general.

   Sources 1 · Rental Listing Scams (June 2026), 'Report Rental Scams': local law enforcement; the website where the ad was posted; ReportFraud.ftc.gov; state attorney general · Checked October 16, 2026

5. The CFPB and the FTC explain that scammers may demand payment by wire transfers, gift cards and cryptocurrency because those methods transfer funds quickly and anonymously; that wiring money is like sending cash, and once you send it you usually cannot get it back; that no legitimate business or government agency will insist that you pay with a gift card; and that if you pay with cryptocurrency, you usually cannot get your money back unless the person you paid sends it back.

   Sources 2 · How to prevent and report scams targeting older adults (CFPB and FTC, May 2, 2022; modified June 25, 2026): 'methods that transfer funds quickly and anonymously'; 'Wiring money is like sending cash. Once you send it, you usually can't get it back.'; 'No legitimate business or government agency will insist that you pay with a gift card.'; 'If you pay with cryptocurrency, you usually can't get your money back unless the person you paid sends it back.' · Checked October 17, 2026

6. The CFPB warns that scammers exploit the closing process with spoofed emails posing as the real estate agent, settlement agent, legal representative or another trusted person, to divert your closing costs and down payment into a fraudulent account by confirming or suggesting last-minute changes to your wiring instructions, and that the ultimate cost to victims could be the loss of their life savings. It recommends identifying two trusted individuals; confirming the instructions, including the account name and number, in person or by the phone number you agreed on beforehand; never following instructions contained in an email; avoiding phone numbers and links in an email; and, if you already sent money, contacting your bank or wire-transfer company immediately to ask for a wire recall, because reporting the error as soon as possible can increase the likelihood that you will recover your money, and filing a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov).

   Sources 3 · Mortgage closing scams: How to protect yourself and your closing funds (June 3, 2019): 'divert your closing costs and down payment into a fraudulent account'; 'confirming or suggesting last-minute changes to your wiring instructions'; 'The ultimate cost to victims could be the loss of their life savings'; 'Identify two trusted individuals'; 'Never follow instructions contained in an email'; 'including the account name and number'; 'Avoid using phone numbers or links in an email'; 'Contact your bank or wire-transfer company immediately'; 'Ask for a wire recall'; 'Reporting the error as soon as possible can increase the likelihood that you’ll be able to recover your money'; 'www.ic3.gov' · Checked October 17, 2026

7. The California Attorney General explains that in many Spanish-speaking nations notarios are attorneys with special legal credentials, but that in the United States notary publics are people authorized by state governments to witness the signing of important documents and are not necessarily authorized to provide legal services; and that a notario público is not authorized to provide any legal services related to immigration.

   Sources 4 · Attorney General Bonta Issues Consumer Alert on Notario Fraud… (June 27, 2025): 'In many Spanish-speaking nations'; 'are powerful attorneys with special legal credentials'; 'notary publics are people authorized by state governments to witness the signing of important documents'; 'not necessarily authorized to provide legal services'; 'A notario público is not authorized to provide people with any legal services related to immigration' · Checked October 17, 2026

8. According to EOIR (Department of Justice), only certain individuals can represent someone before EOIR, including the immigration courts; they include validly licensed attorneys and accredited representatives. Notarios, document preparers, immigration consultants and travel agents are not allowed to practice law: they cannot give legal advice, tell anyone what immigration benefit to apply for, tell anyone whether they are eligible for immigration relief or represent anyone in immigration court; they are breaking the law if they do.

   Sources 5 · Can Someone Represent You Before EOIR?: 'Only certain individuals can represent you before EOIR'; 'Those include validly licensed attorneys and accredited representatives'; 'Notarios, document preparers, immigration consultants, and travel agents are not allowed to practice law'; 'They cannot give you legal advice, tell you what immigration benefit to apply for, tell you if you are eligible for immigration relief, or represent you in immigration court'; 'They are breaking the law if they do' · Checked October 17, 2026

9. EOIR warns that its employees will never call and ask for personal information or money, and that all EOIR and USCIS forms are available for free on those agencies' websites.

   Sources 6 · Fraud and Abuse Prevention Program: 'EOIR employees will never call and ask for personal information or money'; 'all EOIR and USCIS forms are available for free on our websites' · Checked October 17, 2026

10. EOIR's self-help guide says that if you were a victim of fraud you can complain to the Department of Justice's Fraud and Abuse Prevention Program by calling 1-877-388-3840 or emailing EOIR.Fraud.Program@usdoj.gov; seek advice from a non-profit law office, immigrant rights group or other trusted community organization; and recover and retain all communications and documents from the suspected fraudster.

    Sources 7 · Self-Help Guide: Are You a Victim of Fraud? (EOIR, updated January 2022), 'What Should You Do if You Have Been the Victim of Fraud?': 'Contact DOJ’s Fraud and Abuse Prevention Program to make a complaint about fraud, immigration scams, or the unauthorized practice of law by calling 1-877-388-3840 or emailing EOIR.Fraud.Program@usdoj.gov'; 'Contact a non-profit law office, immigrant rights group, or other trusted community organization for advice'; 'Recover and retain all communications and other documents from the suspected fraudster' · Checked October 17, 2026

11. According to the IRS, you can apply for an ITIN for free at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center and at certain VITA sites that offer ITIN services through Certifying Acceptance Agents (CAAs); agents approved by the IRS outside those sites charge fees, which vary.

    Sources 8 · How do I apply for an ITIN?, 'Apply in person': 'Apply for free at a Taxpayer Assistance Center in the U.S.'; 'VITA sites that offer ITIN services have Certifying Acceptance Agents (CAAs)'; 'Apply in the U.S. or abroad with an agent approved by the IRS. Fees may vary' · Checked October 17, 2026

12. According to the FTC, mortgage relief scams promise changes to your loan that they do not deliver; ask for an upfront fee before giving you any services or results; tell you to stop talking to your lender and to pay your mortgage to them; try to convince you to transfer the deed to your home to them; and pressure you to sign papers quickly, without a chance to read them.

    Sources 9 · Mortgage Relief Scams (September 2022): 'they want you to pay them an upfront fee before giving you any services or getting any results'; 'They may tell you to make your mortgage payments directly to them'; 'Scammers may try to convince you to transfer the deed to your home to them'; 'pressure you to sign the papers quickly' · Checked October 16, 2026

13. The CFPB explains that mortgage assistance and foreclosure relief scams target homeowners in financial trouble, often with mail or email using designs, emblems, logos or names that look or sound like government agencies; that you might spot one if it tells you to stop making mortgage payments (which can hurt your credit score and limit your options), charges up-front fees, asks you to pay someone other than your lender or servicer, tries to get you to sign over title to your property (sometimes called a 'rent to buy' scheme), pushes you to sign papers you do not understand, pressures you to act immediately or says it is doing a 'forensic audit' of your loan; that HUD-approved housing counselors are available at no cost; that real government officials never ask for payment to help you; and that these companies can collect a fee only after they work out a deal with your lender that you want to accept.

    Sources 10 · How to spot and avoid foreclosure relief scams (modified June 4, 2025): 'designs, emblems, logos, or names that look or sound like government agencies'; 'Tells you to stop making mortgage loan payments. Doing that can hurt your credit score and limit your options.'; 'Charges up-front fees.'; 'Asks you to make your payments to someone other than your lender or servicer.'; 'Tries to get you to sign over title to your property'; 'Pushes you to sign papers or contracts that you don’t understand'; 'Pressures you to act immediately'; 'forensic audit'; 'HUD-approved housing counselors are available at no cost to you'; 'Real government officials never ask for payment to help you'; 'They can collect a fee only after they work out a deal you want to accept from your lender' · Checked October 17, 2026

14. Under Regulation O, a mortgage assistance relief service provider may not request or receive payment of any fee or other consideration until the consumer has executed a written agreement with the consumer's loan holder or servicer that incorporates the offer of relief the provider obtained.

    Sources 13 · 12 CFR §1015.5(a): 'Request or receive payment of any fee or other consideration until the consumer has executed a written agreement between the consumer and the consumer's dwelling loan holder or servicer incorporating the offer of mortgage assistance relief the provider obtained' · Checked October 17, 2026

15. Under Regulation O, ads and messages aimed at you from a mortgage relief seller must state that the company is not associated with the government and that its service is not approved by the government or your lender; messages aimed at you must also say that you may stop doing business with them at any time, that you may accept or reject the offer they obtain from your lender and that, if you reject it, you do not have to pay them; and if they tell you to stop paying your loan, they must warn that if you stop paying your mortgage you could lose your home and damage your credit rating.

    Sources 12 · 12 CFR §1015.4(a)(1), (b)(1)–(2) and (c): 'is not associated with the government, and our service is not approved by the government or your lender'; 'You may stop doing business with us at any time'; 'You may accept or reject the offer of mortgage assistance we obtain from your lender'; 'If you reject the offer, you do not have to pay us'; 'If you stop paying your mortgage, you could lose your home and damage your credit rating' · Checked October 17, 2026

16. Under Regulation O, a mortgage relief seller may not tell you that you cannot or should not contact your lender or servicer, and may not misrepresent that its service is affiliated with, endorsed or approved by the U.S. government, a federal, state or local agency or a nonprofit housing counselor agency, or that you will receive legal representation.

    Sources 11 · 12 CFR §1015.3(a) and (b)(3), (8): 'that a consumer cannot or should not contact or communicate with his or her lender or servicer'; 'is affiliated with, endorsed or approved by, or otherwise associated with'; 'Any Federal, State, or local government agency, unit, or department'; 'Any nonprofit housing counselor agency or program'; 'That the consumer will receive legal representation' · Checked October 17, 2026

17. Under Regulation O, an attorney is exempt from the rule, except for the advance-fee ban, if the attorney provides mortgage assistance relief services as part of the practice of law, is licensed to practice law in the state where the consumer lives or where the home is located, and complies with state laws that cover the same type of conduct; the attorney is also exempt from the advance-fee ban only if they deposit any funds received from the consumer before performing legal services in a client trust account and comply with all state laws and rules for client trust accounts.

    Sources 14 · 12 CFR §1015.7(a)(1)–(3) and (b)(1)–(2): 'An attorney is exempt from this part, with the exception of'; 'Provides mortgage assistance relief services as part of the practice of law'; 'Is licensed to practice law in the state in which the consumer for whom the attorney is providing mortgage assistance relief services resides or in which the consumer's dwelling is located'; 'Complies with state laws and regulations that cover the same type of conduct the rule requires'; 'Deposits any funds received from the consumer prior to performing legal services in a client trust account'; 'Complies with all state laws and regulations, including licensing regulations, applicable to client trust accounts' · Checked October 17, 2026

18. The CFPB explains that federal law bans law firms, except under very limited circumstances, from requesting or receiving payment for help obtaining foreclosure relief, such as a modification, before you have signed a modification agreement with your lender; that if a lawyer or someone claiming to offer legal help wants to be paid first, before you receive a modification, they may be breaking the law; that a licensed lawyer can ask you to pay first only if licensed in the state where you live or where your house is located, and must also meet other requirements about what they charge for, how they deposit the money and state law; and that your mortgage company must agree to a modification, so no one can guarantee you one.

    Sources 15 · Consumer advisory: Don’t fall for a foreclosure relief scam or bogus legal help (July 23, 2014; modified June 25, 2026): 'Federal law bans law firms—except under very limited circumstances—from requesting or receiving payment from you for help obtaining foreclosure relief'; 'If a lawyer or someone claiming to offer legal help wants to be paid first—before you receive a modification—they may be breaking the law'; 'A licensed lawyer can ask you to pay first but only if the lawyer is licensed in the state where you live or where your house is located'; 'how they deposit the money'; 'Your mortgage company must agree before you can get a modification'; 'cannot guarantee you will get a loan modification' · Checked October 17, 2026

19. By regulation, HUD-approved counseling agencies may only charge reasonable and customary fees that do not create a financial hardship for the client; must provide counseling free of charge to people who cannot afford the fees; must disclose the fee structure in advance; and may not charge for the initial intake.

    Sources 16 · 24 CFR §214.313, Housing counseling fees: 'reasonable and customary fees'; 'does not create a financial hardship for the client'; 'without charge to persons who cannot afford the fees'; 'inform clients of the fee structure in advance'; 'Clients cannot be charged for client intake' · Checked October 17, 2026

20. The FTC explains that title fraud is identity theft: someone pretends to be you and transfers the deed to your home to someone else; that so-called 'home title lock insurance' is neither a lock nor insurance but a monitoring service that would only tell you after the transfer and would not prevent it; that you can check your title for free with your state's land records office; that some areas have a free property-change notification program; and that if someone used your identity, IdentityTheft.gov gives you a free recovery plan.

    Sources 17 · Home title lock insurance? Not a lock at all (August 26, 2024): 'Title fraud is identity theft: someone pretends to be you and transfers your deed to someone else'; 'not a lock, not insurance'; 'check your title for free with your state's land records office'; 'free notification program'; 'IdentityTheft.gov for a free, personalized recovery plan' · Checked October 16, 2026

21. According to the FTC, signs of a home improvement scam are: knocking on your door because they are 'in the area'; claiming leftover materials from another job; pressuring you to decide immediately; asking you to pay everything up front or cash only; asking you to pull the permits yourself; or suggesting you borrow from a lender they know. It recommends using only licensed and insured contractors, getting several written estimates, signing a written contract with no blank spaces, not paying the full amount up front (some states limit the down payment) and not making the final payment until you are satisfied.

    Sources 18 · How To Avoid a Home Improvement Scam (July 2022): 'in the area'; 'materials left over from a previous job'; 'pressure you for an immediate decision'; 'pay for everything up front or only accept cash'; 'get any required building permits'; 'borrow money from a lender they know'; 'licensed and insured'; 'Some states actually limit the amount of money a contractor can ask for as a down payment' · Checked October 16, 2026

22. After a weather emergency, the FTC reminds you that FEMA does not charge application fees and that anyone asking for money to help you get FEMA assistance is a scammer; that scam contractors ask you to pay everything up front, insist on wire transfers, gift cards, payment apps, cryptocurrency or cash, and offer a discount only if you sign on the spot; that you should not sign your insurance check over to a contractor; and that you should report scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

    Sources 19 · How To Avoid Scams After Weather Emergencies and Natural Disasters (September 2025): 'FEMA doesn't charge application fees'; 'pay for everything up front'; 'wire transfer, gift card, payment app, cryptocurrency or in cash'; 'only if you sign a contract right away'; 'sign your insurance check over to a contractor' · Checked October 16, 2026

23. The FTC explains that scammers pose as government agencies such as the FTC, Social Security or the IRS, say you owe money or are in trouble and threaten that something bad will happen if you do not pay or hand over your information; that government agencies will never call, email, text or message you on social media to ask for money; that you should not send money by wire, gift cards, cryptocurrency or payment apps to anyone who says they are with the government; that you should hang up, not trust caller ID and contact the agency yourself at a number you know is real; and that you should report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

    Sources 20 · How To Avoid a Government Impersonator Scam (November 2023): 'Government agencies will never call, email, text, or message you on social media to ask for money'; 'Don't wire money or use gift cards, cryptocurrency, or a payment app'; 'Don't trust your caller ID'; ReportFraud.ftc.gov · Checked October 16, 2026

24. The FTC warns that scam credit repair companies insist you pay them before they help you; tell you not to contact the credit bureaus directly; tell you to dispute information in your report that you know is accurate; tell you to lie on credit applications; or promise to create a 'new' credit identity (and knowingly filing a false identity theft report is a crime). Anything a credit repair company can do, you can do yourself for little or no cost: check your report regularly and dispute the errors you find.

    Sources 21 · Looking to fix your credit? An illegal credit repair scam isn't the answer (December 29, 2025): 'Scammers insist you pay them before they help you'; 'tell you not to contact the credit bureaus directly'; 'dispute information in your credit report you know is accurate'; 'Anything a credit repair company can do, you'll be able to do for yourself for little or no cost' · Checked October 16, 2026

25. The CFPB explains that no one can remove accurate negative information from your credit report; that disputing errors is free and you can do it yourself or with the help of a legitimate credit counselor; that knowingly filing a false identity theft report is a crime; and that if you have just signed up for a credit repair service, you have the right to cancel the contract for any reason within three business days at no charge.

    Sources 22 · What are some common types of fraud and scams? (modified August 31, 2026), 'Credit repair scams': 'no one can remove accurate negative credit information from your credit report'; 'disputing them is free and you can do it yourself or with the help of a legitimate credit counselor'; 'knowingly file a false identity theft report'; 'you have the right to cancel your contract with the company for any reason within three business days at no charge to you' · Checked October 17, 2026

26. According to the FTC, in an advance-fee loan scam someone promises you a loan, a credit card or access to credit and asks you to pay a 'processing', 'insurance' or 'application' fee first; nobody legitimate will tell you that paying a fee guarantees you will get a loan; it is illegal for telemarketers to promise you a loan and ask you to pay for it up front; and you can check with your state attorney general or banking regulator whether a lender is registered. They ask for payment by cryptocurrency, by wire through companies like MoneyGram or Western Union, or by loading money onto a gift card.

    Sources 23 · What To Know About Advance-Fee Loans (July 2022): 'scammers promise they'll get you a loan, credit card, or access to credit'; 'nobody legit will tell you that paying a fee guarantees that you'll get a loan'; 'illegal for telemarketers to promise you a loan or other credit and ask you to pay for it up front'; 'Contact your state attorney general or banking or financial services regulator' · Checked October 16, 2026

27. When hiring movers, the FTC recommends checking that the company is registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation for an interstate move (and asking the state consumer protection office for an in-state move); getting written estimates from several movers, who should see your belongings in person or ask you to describe them fully; asking what they charge for insurance and what they pay for damage; and not hiring anyone who asks you to sign paperwork with blank spaces or demands cash or a big deposit before the move. Problems with interstate moves are reported to the Department of Transportation, and any scam to the FTC.

    Sources 24 · Avoid scams when you hire a moving company (September 30, 2024): 'must be registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)'; 'Get written price estimates from several movers'; 'Don't hire anyone who asks you to sign paperwork that has blank spaces'; 'Don't hire anyone who demands cash or a big deposit before the move'; 'report to DOT'; ReportFraud.ftc.gov · Checked October 16, 2026

28. Under the federal moving rules, the most a mover can demand at delivery is the exact amount of a binding estimate, or 110 percent of a non-binding estimate, plus any additional services you requested after the bill of lading was issued and, if they apply, impracticable-operation charges limited to 15 percent of all other charges.

    Sources 25 · 49 CFR §375.703(a)–(b): 'On a binding estimate, the maximum amount is the exact estimate of the charges'; 'On a non-binding estimate, the maximum amount is 110 percent of the non-binding estimate of the charges'; impracticable operations 'equal to 15 percent of all other charges due at delivery' · Checked October 17, 2026

29. The FTC reminds you that you can cancel a home equity loan or line of credit on your main residence within three business days for any reason and without penalty; that if the financing is not what you expected or wanted, you should not sign; that you should not wire money in response to an unexpected email; and that you should talk to an attorney, a financial advisor or someone else you trust before deciding.

    Sources 26 · Home Equity Loans and Home Equity Lines of Credit (September 2025): 'can cancel a home equity loan or a HELOC within three business days for any reason and without penalty'; 'If the financing isn't what you expected or wanted, don't sign'; 'Don't wire money in response to an unexpected email' · Checked October 16, 2026

30. The FTC spells out what to do if you paid a scammer: with a credit or debit card, report it to the issuer or your bank immediately and ask for a refund; by bank transfer or Zelle, ask your bank to reverse the payment; by wire, report it immediately to the wire transfer company; with a gift card, call the issuer using the number on the back; with cryptocurrency, the exchange or the ATM operator; with cash by mail, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (1-877-876-2455); with a payment app, the app. Report the scam at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and, if you gave your Social Security number, at IdentityTheft.gov.

    Sources 27 · What To Do if You Were Scammed (June 2026): 'Report it to the credit card issuer immediately'; 'reverse the payment and refund your money'; 'Contact the gift card issuer immediately'; 'Contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455'; ReportFraud.ftc.gov; IdentityTheft.gov · Checked October 16, 2026

31. The CFPB says that if you think you made a money transfer or mobile app payment to a scammer, you should contact your bank or the payment company right away to alert them that there may have been an unauthorized transaction, and that you can also file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center; and that if you think you were the victim of a foreclosure relief scam, you can find legal help through your local bar association or legal aid.

    Sources 22 · What are some common types of fraud and scams? (modified August 31, 2026), 'Money transfer or mobile payment services fraud' and 'Foreclosure relief or mortgage loan modification scams': 'If you think you made a money transfer or mobile app payment to a scammer, contact your bank or the payment company right away'; 'alert them that there may have been an unauthorized transaction'; 'file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center'; 'you can find legal help through your local bar association or legal aid' · Checked October 17, 2026

32. The CFPB explains that the grandparent scam is meant to play on your emotions and is often used to target older adults; if someone who says they are your grandchild or another relative calls and urgently needs money, it recommends contacting your relative directly using a trusted phone number to verify the story.

    Sources 22 · What are some common types of fraud and scams? (modified August 31, 2026), 'Grandparent scams': 'This scam is meant to play on your emotions and is often used to target older adults'; 'urgently need money to get out of trouble'; 'Contact your relative directly using a trusted phone number to verify the story' · Checked October 17, 2026

33. The CFPB says that if you think you or someone you know is a victim of a scam, you should contact the FBI, the FTC, your state attorney general or your local police; report the scam to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov or to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov; reach the police or sheriff through their nonemergency number; and that real government agencies and financial institutions do not threaten you or ask you to send money to 'protect it', nor tell you to withdraw cash, buy gift cards or use cryptocurrency to send money.

    Sources 28 · Who do I contact for help with a scam or fraud? (modified August 31, 2026): 'contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), your state attorney general, or your local police'; 'Report the fraud or scam to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov or FBI Internet Crimes Complaint Center at ic3.gov'; 'using their nonemergency phone number or website'; 'Real government agencies and financial institutions do not threaten you or ask you to send money to “protect it”'; 'They do not tell you to withdraw cash, buy gift cards, or use cryptocurrency to send money' · Checked October 17, 2026

34. The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), run by the FBI, says it does not work with any non-law-enforcement entity, such as law firms or crypto services, to recover lost funds or investigate cases; that it will never directly contact you for information or money; and that you should file a report even if you are unsure whether your complaint qualifies.

    Sources 29 · Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), home page: 'The IC3 does not work with any non-law enforcement entity, such as law firms or crypto services, to recuperate lost funds or investigate cases'; 'The IC3 will never directly contact you for information or money'; 'file a report even if you are unsure of whether your complaint qualifies' · Checked October 17, 2026

35. HUD-approved housing counselors give independent advice on buying, renting, defaults and credit, often for free or at low cost.

    Sources 30 · Find a Housing Counselor: 'advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, forbearances, foreclosures, and credit issues'; 'often at little or no cost to you' · Checked October 17, 2026