$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
broadband internet service scam
Fraudsters impersonate internet service providers, calling to offer fake discounts, upgrades, or to fix non-existent connection problems, then steal payment or personal information.
“utility scam”
↑ 649%Key indicators
Usually targetsHomeowners
Often hitsReal estate professionals and homebuyers
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$640
median reported loss
Typical range$40 – $4.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers cold-call claiming to be from a major ISP, saying they have detected issues with the victim's connection or offering an exclusive upgrade deal
2
They direct the victim to download remote access tools or visit phishing sites to enter account credentials
3
With remote access or account credentials, they install malware, steal personal data, or make unauthorized charges
What to do first
Hang up on unsolicited ISP calls and contact your provider directly using the number on your bill
Related terms
ISP impersonation scamfake broadband upgradeinternet provider fraudUtility scamsPhoneSurgingHomeownersRentersOlder adultsReal estate professionals and homebuyersRetirees and seniorsImmigrants and visa holdersUnited StatesUnited KingdomAustraliaISP impersonation scamfake broadband upgrade
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Nicole, 42, a homeowners, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate utility scams situation while using Phone. Scammers cold-call claiming to be from a major ISP, saying they have detected issues with the victim's connection or offering an exclusive upgrade deal
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: They direct the victim to download remote access tools or visit phishing sites to enter account credentials
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: With remote access or account credentials, they install malware, steal personal data, or make unauthorized charges
The outcome
Nicole realized something was wrong when unsolicited call claiming your internet has a security issue or speed problem they can see remotely. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Hang up on unsolicited ISP calls and contact your provider directly using the number on your bill Nicole's experience shows why unsolicited call claiming your internet has a security issue or speed problem they can see remotely and caller asks you to visit a website and download software to fix the connection are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Unsolicited call claiming your internet has a security issue or speed problem they can see remotely
- Caller asks you to visit a website and download software to fix the connection
- Special upgrade pricing available only if you provide payment details over the phone right now
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Hang up on unsolicited ISP calls and contact your provider directly using the number on your bill
- ✓Never download software or give remote access to someone who calls you unprompted
- ✓Report the call to the FTC, Action Fraud (UK), or Scamwatch (AU)
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
- ✓Save the full chat or call log before blocking the sender so the reporting path still has the original context.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission reported that phone-based impersonation scams, including ISP fraud, cost Australians over 90 million AUD in 2023
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Tell close contacts if a phone or text scam used your identity, so scammers cannot reuse the same story against people around you.
- ✓Hang up on unsolicited ISP calls and contact your provider directly using the number on your bill
- ✓Never download software or give remote access to someone who calls you unprompted
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission reported that phone-based impersonation scams, including ISP fraud, cost Australians over 90 million AUD in 2023
OpenScam research
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Homeowners, Renters, Older adults
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, Australia
Primary channel
Phone — Utility scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Homeowners are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The rapid increase in reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission reported that phone-based impersonation scams, including ISP fraud, cost Australians over 90 million AUD in 2023
Source notes
- OpenScam research
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about broadband internet service scam
How does the broadband internet service scam work?+
Scammers cold-call claiming to be from a major ISP, saying they have detected issues with the victim's connection or offering an exclusive upgrade deal They direct the victim to download remote access tools or visit phishing sites to enter account credentials With remote access or account credentials, they install malware, steal personal data, or make unauthorized charges
What are the warning signs of broadband internet service scam?+
Unsolicited call claiming your internet has a security issue or speed problem they can see remotely Caller asks you to visit a website and download software to fix the connection Special upgrade pricing available only if you provide payment details over the phone right now
What should I do if I encounter broadband internet service scam?+
Hang up on unsolicited ISP calls and contact your provider directly using the number on your bill Never download software or give remote access to someone who calls you unprompted Report the call to the FTC, Action Fraud (UK), or Scamwatch (AU)
Who is most at risk for broadband internet service scam?+
This scam primarily targets Homeowners, Renters, Older adults. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, Australia and typically appears on Phone.
Is broadband internet service scam getting worse?+
broadband internet service scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, UK, AU. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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What to do first
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.