Advice: The FTC wants comments by Nov. 30 on scam ads that impersonate businesses and government agencies
Scammers now buy the same kind of targeted ads that real companies use on social media, search and shopping sites, the agency says.
Scammers are buying online ads that impersonate well-known businesses or government agencies in social media feeds, search results and shopping platforms, hoping people will click, the Federal Trade Commission said in a Nov. 2 consumer alert.
The FTC, the federal agency that enforces many consumer-protection rules, said legitimate companies already pay to place targeted ads, and that scammers are now paying too. An existing Impersonation Rule already prohibits impersonating government agencies and businesses. The agency said it is considering updates to that rule, or a new rule, aimed at social media sites, search engines and other digital platforms that further those scams.
The FTC asked whether platforms should have to vet advertisers and ads before they appear, give people a way to report suspected impersonation ads, and investigate and take down ads that turn out to be scams. The public has until Nov. 30, 2026, to review and comment online or in writing.
This is advice based on the FTC's alert, not a finding about any particular ad.
Source: FTC consumer alert: Tell the FTC about imposter ads online, posted Nov. 2, 2026, checked Nov. 8; Federal Register: Rule on Impersonation of Government and Businesses.