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Same thing happens on Google..

The worst are the companies/people imitating US government services like post office mail holds and passports. Search google for "us passport" and check out the sponsored links "owners" of the ad.. they look like phishing scams!

We need laws outlawing the misrepresentation of legitimate government services. Until then ad-block is the only solution if Google won't act appropriately. I can't imagine how many people have fallen into typing the SSN into such websites.






Have you reported these and the fact that this is a reoccurring issue to the FTC? Most of these agencies need consumers to initiate action.

Every time you see these scam 'ads' or sponsored listings, report them. Every time you get something unsafe from Amazon (for example I submitted the semi-recent Youtuber investigating fuses that are unsafe) report it to the FTC. The agencies that stop this initiate action from reports. Which means you have to report these things.

https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/ https://www.ftc.gov/media/71268


How about google just delist the fraud sites or ban their advertising? Google is making money on this...

They have proven they won't unless they are punished. You can wish it worked different, or you can accept reality and report these things, or you can live in a society full of scams. Those are your options.

They “approve” the ads… they are complicit! Maybe I’ll write my Senator.

> We need laws outlawing the misrepresentation of legitimate government services.

We have some, which should probably be broadened:

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/701

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1017

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/712

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/709




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