Discover CFPB

I redeemed a $10 PayPal from Mistplay after reaching 3700 points, but they changed the requirements  after my selection.  I ended up Paying it via MoneyGram and nothing happened, they didnt reply anymore.

Dollars Lost: $900

Maryland

Date Reported: January 14, 2026  

Business Name Used: Mistplay

Names: Frank Thomas - Barry White

USPS mail from Mackinac Island, MI, with a Farmington Hills return address, said I had 72 hours to claim a 3-day, 2-night trip to Mackinac Island. I did, never got anything. Lost $300

Dollars Lost: $300

Farmington Hills, MI

Date Reported: January 13, 2026

Business Name Used: Mackinac Island Vacations

Names: Daniel Davis

 I received a text message from a person using the phone number 575-202-4320. The sender claimed to be Jerry Heath, who supposedly won $44.3 million in the “Golden Lantern California State Lottery” on August 19, 2024. He said he was “helping people by donating one million dollars” and that I had been “selected by God’s grace.”   I was told to contact his agent, Mr. Miller Jamison, at +1 (208) 243-1102. I was given a claimant code to confirm my eligibility and arrange for the delivery of funds. Believing the claim was real, I talked to the agent, who said I needed to pay certain fees to receive the donation.  I ended up sending a total of $19,000. After I sent the money, communication stopped, and I never received any funds. I later realized that the lottery claim and donation were a scam, resulting in a loss of $19,000. 

Dollars Lost: $19000

California

Date Reported: January 12, 2026

Business Name Used: California State Lottery

Names: Jerry Heath - Andrea Jeffries

 I received a call from someone who said his name was James Anderson and claimed to work for Publishers Clearing House (PCH). He told me I had won $3 million and a $5,000 weekly bonus.

He said I needed to pay a registration fee to receive the prize. Believing the call was legitimate, I sent $5700. After that, he stopped responding, and I never received any prize.

I later learned this was a scam, and I am sharing this so others are aware.

Dollars Lost: $5700

NY

Date Reported: January 12, 2026

Business Name Used: Publisher Clearing House

Names: James Anderson

I received a phone call from a person claiming to be a representative from Amazon Fraud Prevention. The caller said my account had been used to purchase expensive electronics and that I needed to act quickly to stop the shipment. I was instructed to verify my identity and transfer funds to a “secure holding account” to reverse the charges. Believing this was legitimate, I followed the instructions and sent money. After the transfer, the caller stopped responding, and I later learned the call was a scam.

Dollars Lost: $3,200
State: Texas
Date Reported: January 11, 2026
Business Name Used: Amazon
Names: Kirk Cooper - Nathan Matters

I received a phone call from individuals claiming to represent the American Holiday Sweepstakes Network, based in Las Vegas. They informed me that I had legitimately won a large sweepstakes award and referenced correct personal details that made the claim seem credible. They explained that before the prize could be released, certain legal and processing fees were required due to regulatory requirements.

Believing the call was legitimate, especially since I had in fact won an award, I was instructed to make multiple payments to cover legal documentation, release certificates, and insurance fees. I was assured these fees were mandatory and would be reimbursed with the prize winnings. After sending the payments, communication became inconsistent and eventually stopped. I later understood that i had winning thru a different company, i contacted them and received my winning only with the registration. these people they hacked the real company's database to call real winners and scam us.

 Dollars Lost: $23,000
State: NY
Date Reported: January 8, 2026
Business Name Used: American Holiday Sweepstakes Network
Names: Jonathan Myers – Sarah Parker – Michael Ferguson – Monica Storm 

 I received a letter stating I owed back taxes and that immediate payment was required to avoid arrest. The letter instructed me to call a number to resolve the issue. The person who answered claimed to be an IRS officer and demanded payment through prepaid cards. After paying, I later confirmed with the IRS that the notice was fake.

Dollars Lost: $13,750
State: Illinois
Date Reported: January 7, 2026
Business Name Used: Internal Revenue Service
Names: Mark Wilson

 I was contacted on social media by someone claiming to be a cryptocurrency investment advisor. They promised guaranteed returns within a week and showed screenshots of successful transactions. I transferred money to a crypto wallet as instructed and traded for a whole week. After sending the funds the last time, the account blocked me and stopped responding.

Dollars Lost: $4,900
State: California
Date Reported: January 7, 2026
Business Name Used: Crypto Wealth Group
Names: Alex Novak

Contacted by a group claiming to be from Microsoft Technical Support. They said my computer had been compromised and requested remote access to fix the issue. After gaining access, they charged me for unnecessary services and transferred money from my account. I later discovered this was a scam.

Dollars Lost: $2,100
State: Washington
Date Reported: January 6, 2026
Business Name Used: Microsoft
Names: Steven Hall - Albert Lewis - Frank Cunningham

I received a call from someone claiming to be from my bank’s fraud department. The caller stated that unauthorized withdrawals were detected and that I needed to move my funds to a temporary account for protection. Trusting the caller, I followed the instructions. then my bank confirmed the call was fraudulent and the funds could not be recovered. nothing can be done now

Dollars Lost: $6,500
State: Nevada
Date Reported: January 5, 2026
Business Name Used: Wells Fargo
Names: Brian Lewis

I got a voicemail claiming I had missed a court appearance and that a warrant had been issued for my arrest. The caller instructed me to pay a fine immediately to avoid being taken into custody. Fearful, I sent the payment as instructed. I later confirmed with local authorities that no warrant existed.

Dollars Lost: $1,950
State: Arizona
Date Reported: January 4, 2026
Business Name Used: County Court Services
Names: Officer Ryan Cole - Deputy Myers

I was contacted by text message stating I had won a grant from a federal assistance program. The sender said no repayment was required, but I needed to pay a processing fee before receiving the funds. I was given instructions to send payment through gift cards. After sending the payment, communication stopped, and no grant funds were received.

Dollars Lost: $1,800
State: Georgia
Date Reported: January 2, 2026
Business Name Used: Federal Grant Program
Names: Lisa Turner - Mariah Thompson