$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
fake product recall notification scam
Fraudulent emails or posts mimic official product recall notices from the CPSC or manufacturers, directing recipients to phishing sites that collect personal data under the guise of processing refunds.
“misinformation scam”
↑ 1147%Key indicators
Usually targetsParents
Often hitsFreelancers and contractors
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 send emails mimicking the CPSC or popular brands, announcing fake recalls for widely-owned products.
2
Recipients are directed to a phishing site that requests personal and payment information to process a refund or replacement.
3
Collected data is used for credit card fraud and identity theft.
What to do first
Verify all product recalls at cpsc.gov or the manufacturer's official website before taking any action.
Related terms
fake recall phishingproduct safety scam emailMisinformation scamsEmailSurgingParentsProduct ownersOnline shoppersFreelancers and contractorsSmall business ownersPayroll, HR, and finance teamsUnited StatesCanadaUnited Kingdomfake recall phishingproduct safety scam email
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Patricia, 38, a parents, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate misinformation scams situation while using Email. Scammers send emails mimicking the CPSC or popular brands, announcing fake recalls for widely-owned products.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: Recipients are directed to a phishing site that requests personal and payment information to process a refund or replacement.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Collected data is used for credit card fraud and identity theft.
The outcome
Patricia realized something was wrong when recall notice received via email or social media rather than through the cpsc or manufacturer's official channels. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Verify all product recalls at cpsc.gov or the manufacturer's official website before taking any action. Patricia's experience shows why recall notice received via email or social media rather than through the cpsc or manufacturer's official channels and link asks for credit card information to process a refund for the recalled item are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Recall notice received via email or social media rather than through the CPSC or manufacturer's official channels
- Link asks for credit card information to process a refund for the recalled item
- The recall cannot be verified at cpsc.gov or the manufacturer's website
- 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
- ✓Verify all product recalls at cpsc.gov or the manufacturer's official website before taking any action.
- ✓Legitimate recalls never ask for credit card information to process a refund via email links.
- ✓Report fake recall notices to the CPSC and the FTC.
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.
- ✓Keep the full sender address, domain, attachments, and—if possible—the raw email headers.
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 CPSC reported in 2024 that fake recall emails for popular children's products and appliances were being used as a phishing vector, with complaints rising during holiday shopping seasons.
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.
- ✓Verify all product recalls at cpsc.gov or the manufacturer's official website before taking any action.
- ✓Legitimate recalls never ask for credit card information to process a refund via email links.
- ✓Report fake recall notices to the CPSC and the FTC.
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 CPSC reported in 2024 that fake recall emails for popular children's products and appliances were being used as a phishing vector, with complaints rising during holiday shopping seasons.
CPSC Consumer Safety Alert 2024
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
Parents, Product owners, Online shoppers
Geographic concentration
United States, Canada, United Kingdom
Primary channel
Email — Misinformation scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Parents 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 CPSC reported in 2024 that fake recall emails for popular children's products and appliances were being used as a phishing vector, with complaints rising during holiday shopping seasons.
Source notes
- CPSC Consumer Safety Alert 2024
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about fake product recall notification scam
How does the fake product recall notification scam work?+
Scammers send emails mimicking the CPSC or popular brands, announcing fake recalls for widely-owned products. Recipients are directed to a phishing site that requests personal and payment information to process a refund or replacement. Collected data is used for credit card fraud and identity theft.
What are the warning signs of fake product recall notification scam?+
Recall notice received via email or social media rather than through the CPSC or manufacturer's official channels Link asks for credit card information to process a refund for the recalled item The recall cannot be verified at cpsc.gov or the manufacturer's website
What should I do if I encounter fake product recall notification scam?+
Verify all product recalls at cpsc.gov or the manufacturer's official website before taking any action. Legitimate recalls never ask for credit card information to process a refund via email links. Report fake recall notices to the CPSC and the FTC.
Who is most at risk for fake product recall notification scam?+
This scam primarily targets Parents, Product owners, Online shoppers. It is most commonly reported in United States, Canada, United Kingdom and typically appears on Email.
Is fake product recall notification scam getting worse?+
fake product recall notification scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, CA, UK. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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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.