Stay Alert: Watch for Possible Fraud and Scams
Over 70% of Americans have experienced an online scam. Scammers use various methods to target unsuspecting people of all ages. Consumer scams can happen through phone calls, texts, mail, email, or other online channels, often involving spam messages or attempts to steal your identity. Learning how to spot these scams or fraud attempts may help you prevent becoming a victim, and if you report them, you can effectively help the FBI track trends and potential threats.
What Will ACE Never Ask You to Do?
Knowing what ACE Cash Express will never request is a powerful tool for scam protection and fraud prevention. If you're asked for any of the following, you may be dealing with a scammer posing as ACE.
Share login credentials. We will never ask for your online banking username or password or ask you to change your password by email or text.
Load a prepaid card. We will never ask you to load money onto a prepaid debit card, purchase gift cards, or buy money orders to receive a loan.
Send a wire transfer. We will never require a wire transfer as a condition to get your loan.
Pay an upfront fee. We will never require you to prepay any amount to process your loan application.
Apply outside official channels. Consumers can only apply for a loan at certain ACE locations or online using our quick loan application.
Please note: In some cases, ACE will ask for the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number during the loan application process. However, you are not obligated to provide any sensitive information online and may, instead, call us at (866) ACE-CASH to verify your identity.
Security Dos and Don'ts
Do
Call 866-ACE-CASH to verify any suspicious contact claiming to be ACE
Report suspicious or unauthorized calls, letters, emails, texts, or other communications, to ACE and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Request a written debt validation notice before engaging with a debt collector
Use multi-factor authentication to verify your login to your personal account
Don't
Give out personal or payment information to anyone who can't verify your loan details
Forward a payment or load funds onto a prepaid card to get a loan
Click links, scan QR codes, or download attachments from unexpected emails or texts
Log into personal accounts on unsecured public Wi-Fi networks
Act immediately when someone else creates pressure or urgency
What Are Common Scam Types and Warning Signs?
Loan Scams
Scammers falsely claiming to represent ACE may ask you to load money onto a prepaid card, purchase money orders, or send funds by wire transfer or MoneyGram® to get a loan. They may even use ACE's name, logo, and mailing address in their correspondence to appear legitimate.
Warning Signs
No credit check required. A lender who ignores your credit history entirely is likely a scammer.
Asking for upfront payment. Demanding money to apply for or receive loan proceeds is a scam. ACE will never ask consumers for payment upfront to apply for, obtain or receive a loan.
Unsolicited contact. Be cautious of unexpected calls, texts, emails, or other communications that request your confidential information.
Urgent action required. Scammers may pressure or threaten you to act quickly so you’ll act without thinking it through completely.
Debt Collection Scams
Scammers send fraudulent debt collection notices falsely claiming to represent lenders like ACE. They may send threats of legal action, wage garnishment, or pressure you into sharing personal information like your Social Security number or date of birth. You might also be asked to make payments on debts you don't owe.
Warning Signs
Threats of immediate legal action or arrest. Real debt collectors don't threaten criminal charges or immediate arrest.
Failure to provide written debt validation. Legitimate debt collectors are generally required to provide a written validation notice containing information about the debt. If someone refuses to provide information about the debt they claim you owe, it may be a scam.
Unknown case numbers or amounts. Scammers use fake case numbers or debt amounts you don't recognize.
Contact from generic email addresses. Emails from Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook addresses are never from ACE. Official communications from ACE use @acecashexpress.com or @populusfinancial.com only.
Have You Received Something Suspicious?
Email or Text
Did you:
Click a link in the message?
Download an attachment or software?
Open an attachment or software?
Scan a QR code?
Reply with personal or account information?
Phone Call
Did you:
Share sensitive information, such as your Social Security Number or date of birth?
Provide bank account or card details?
If you answered yes to any of the above, call ACE Cash Express immediately at 866-ACE-CASH or email customerservice@acecashexpress.com.
How Do You Report a Scammer?
Reporting a scammer is incredibly important. It protects you and other consumers by helping authorities detect and shut down fraud operations. Here's a step-by-step guide to reporting a scammer.
1. Contact ACE Cash Express
If you've received suspicious contact from someone claiming to be ACE, call 866-ACE-CASH or email customerservice@acecashexpress.com to alert us of the fraudulent behavior. We can confirm whether the communication was from ACE and assist with next steps.
2. File a Report with the FTC
File a detailed complaint at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC will use these reports to investigate fraud and take legal action against scammers. You can also call their Consumer Response Center at 1-877-FTC-HELP.
3. File an Internet Crime Complaint (IC3)
If the scam was committed online or through email, file a separate complaint at ic3.gov, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). You can report cyber scams, phishing, and online fraud to them.
4. Report Identity Theft (if Applicable)
If your identity was stolen or compromised, visit IdentityTheft.gov to create a personalized recovery plan. This free resource from the FTC will guide you through every step.
5. Place a Fraud Alert or Credit Freeze
If you shared sensitive information about yourself, such as your Social Security Number or date of birth, contact all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to set up a fraud alert or credit freeze. This prevents scammers from opening new accounts in your name.
6. Contact Your State Attorney General
Many states have consumer protection offices that investigate local fraud and can pursue action against scammers operating in your area. Search for your state attorney general's consumer protection division to file an additional complaint.
Think You've Been a Victim of a Scam or Fraud?
ACE will never ask you to provide your online banking credentials or password by phone, email, text, or other communications. If you think you’ve accidentally provided your Social Security Number or date of birth to someone posing as ACE, contact us immediately.
Call Us
Email Us
Scam and Fraud Prevention FAQ
Hang up and call ACE directly at 866-ACE-CASH. We will never ask you for your banking credentials, passwords, upfront payments, or urge you to act immediately.
Tell ACE and the FTC as much as possible about your experience. You’ll be asked to share details about the scammer or fraudster, such as their contact information and specifics about their requests or demands.
You need to act quickly and follow these steps:
- Set up a fraud alert with all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion)
- File an identity theft report at IdentityTheft.gov
- File a report with the FTC
- Monitor your credit reports for any new unauthorized accounts or activity
Yes. You should always report any activity you suspect is a scam or fraud. By filing a report, you can help the FTC and its law enforcement partners better identify and stop problems.
