A Year Ago: FTC opens consumer Y2K scam hotline

The Federal Trade Commission said Tuesday it has created a toll-free hotline for consumers to call with questions about Year 2000 scams.

The hotline, at 888-USA-4-Y2K, advises consumers not to give out bank account or credit card numbers over the phone or online to people saying they need them for Y2K-related purposes. Consumers are also being advised to look out for unauthorised charges to credit cards and debits to checking accounts that may be related to Y2K fraud.