Fake FTC / CFPB / consumer protection settlement or class action refund scam — fraudulent email impersonating the FTC, CFPB, attorney general, or consumer protection agency claiming the recipient is eligible for an unclaimed class action settlement, government refund, or consumer compensation award — directing them to click a link, verify their identity, and provide SSN and bank routing details to receive their settlement check — an advance-fee fraud and identity theft scheme exploiting legitimate consumer protection programs

Fraudulent emails impersonating the FTC, CFPB, state attorney general offices, or generic "consumer protection agencies" — claiming the recipient is eligible for a class action settlement, government refund, consumer compensation award, or unclaimed payout — then directing them to click a link to claim their share, and ultimately requesting SSN, bank routing numbers, or personal information to process the settlement check. This fraud exploits widespread legitimate FTC and CFPB settlement programs. Key facts: (1) Government impersonation fraud cost Americans $1.1B in 2023 (FTC Consumer Sentinel 2024), with consumer protection agency impersonation being one of the fastest-growing sub-categories; the FTC's own consumer protection programs are routinely spoofed; (2) The fraud is specifically effective because the FTC and CFPB do run legitimate refund programs — the "FTC sends money to consumers" premise is real, which lowers victim skepticism for the fraudulent version; (3) The data collection goal is typically dual: SSN + bank routing enables both direct account fraud and synthetic identity theft (new credit accounts, medical fraud, tax fraud); providing date of birth additionally enables full identity takeover; (4) Real FTC refund programs are announced at ftc.gov, never initiated by unsolicited email, never require SSN or bank details via email, and process payments through FTC-contracted claims administrators (not unknown web portals). Warning signs: unsolicited FTC/CFPB settlement eligibility email, SSN + bank routing requested for settlement payment, non-ftc.gov/.cfpb.gov domain, click-to-claim portal link.