Scammers Pose as Government in Passport Service Ads

What is happening

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a lawsuit against GovAssist LLC, Entry LLC, and Scott Zuckerman. They're accused of running deceptive ads that pretend to offer government-related passport services.

How the scam works

These companies use paid ads on search engines like Google to mislead people. When you search for passport services, their sites show up as top results. They falsely claim affiliation with the U.S. State Department and promise services they can't deliver.

How to spot it

Be cautious if a site claims to offer passport services with government affiliation but appears in paid ad results. Look for misleading prices and service promises that aren't fulfilled.

What to do

Always verify the authenticity of the website before sharing any personal information. Access official government websites directly to avoid scams.