Ghost Money · Issue 8 · Sep 10, 2026 · Issue 1 · Issue 2 · Issue 3 · Issue 4 · Issue 5 · Issue 6 · Issue 7 · Issue 8 · Issue 9 · Paste an ad · $9 check

The refund is the bait.

Issue 7 was September texts that sold a check or a freeze. Issue 8 is August–September 2026 recovery pitches and credit ads that ride real FTC refund programs or stale energy deadlines. Free. Not tax advice. If the agency did not publish the dollar, we leave it blank.

Check this ad. · Paid sourced check · Issue 1 · Issue 2 · Issue 3 · Issue 4 · Issue 5 · Issue 6 · Issue 7

Recovery and credit bait

Dead

“Pay a retainer / processing fee — we’ll recover your scam refund”

Ad: “We can get your money back from that scam — pay a retainer / processing / administrative fee / give bank info so we can deposit the refund.” FTC consumer alert (Aug 3, 2026): refund and recovery scammers target people who already lost money; they may claim to be a government agency (even the FTC), a consumer group, or a law firm; then demand a retainer, processing fee, administrative charge, or financial information. Government agencies and legitimate organizations will never ask for money or financial info in exchange for help getting a refund. Anyone who does is a scammer.
Dead

“FTC calling about your AT&T / Grubhub / Amazon Flex refund — transfer money / give bank info to release the check”

Ad: “This is the FTC — your AT&T / Grubhub / Amazon Flex / Helping America Group refund is ready; transfer money or give banking to release / unlock the check.” FTC enforcement refunds page lists active programs with August 2026 dates including AT&T Data Throttling, Helping America Group, Blueprint to Wealth, Amazon Flex Drivers, and Grubhub. Real programs exist. The same page warns: scammers impersonate the FTC; the FTC will never threaten you, say you must transfer money to “get a refund,” or promise a prize. That is a scam. Impersonators exploit people waiting on real checks.
Dead

“30% federal heat-pump / 25C home-improvement credit still available for 2026 installs”

Ad: “Claim the federal heat-pump / energy-efficient home improvement credit for a 2026 install / 25C still live.” IRS FS-2025-05 (OBBB energy FAQs): section 25C (Energy efficient home improvement credit) will not be allowed for any property placed in service after December 31, 2025. A 2026 heat-pump or home-improvement install is outside that window. Leave dollars blank unless an official page states them. Distinct from state HOMES/HEAR rebates (Issue 1 Watch) and from 25D solar-lease pitches (Issue 2).
Dead

“EV charger / 30C credit forever — no deadline”

Ad: “Federal EV charger / alternative fuel refueling credit has no deadline / still available whenever you install.” Same IRS FS-2025-05 FAQ: section 30C (Alternative fuel vehicle refueling property credit) will not be allowed for any property placed in service after June 30, 2026. As of Sep 10, 2026 that placed-in-service window is closed for new installs — Dead, not Changed. Ads saying “forever / no deadline” or “still available” are false for post–June 30, 2026 property. Leave dollar amounts blank unless IRS states them on the cited page.