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Consumer Alert

Video games, loot boxes, and your money

Amy Hebert
Play video games, or have kids who do? For most of us, that’s a yes, according to a recent industry survey. It also means you might have heard of loot boxes. Loot boxes are the containers you come
Consumer Alert

Notarios are no help with immigration

Kati Daffan
Now and then, it’s helpful to remind ourselves of things we already know: Nobody legit will ever demand payment with a gift card. Dark chocolate is superior to milk chocolate. And notarios do not give
Consumer Alert

Using Match.com? Read this

Rosario Méndez
Online dating sites are a common way people seek romance. But what if, instead of a potential match, you find a scammer? Today, t he FTC announced a lawsuit against Match.com, challenging several of
Consumer Alert

That attorney’s ad might be bad for your health

Colleen Tressler
You see the ads on TV, hear them on the radio, or read them in print and online: attorneys telling you about the dangers of certain prescription drugs. Many of these ads open with “medical alert,”
Consumer Alert

Helping Hispanics avoid fraud

Andrew Smith
Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15 - Oct 15) is a time to celebrate the rich culture, heritage, and contributions of Hispanics. It is also a time to reflect on the FTC’s commitment to help Hispanic
Consumer Alert

Social Security is not trying to take your benefits

Jim Kreidler
We’ve seen a new twist on the Social Security Administration (SSA) scam recently. Check out this SSA imposter robocall, which says your benefits will end. (That’s not true, by the way.) Your browser
Consumer Alert

Don’t pay for help with student loans

Lisa Lake
If you have student loan debt, a program that promises to reduce or erase it might sound like just what you need. But some of these programs just take lots of your money and give you no help — or do
Consumer Alert

In the wake of Hurricane Dorian

Colleen Tressler
If you suffered damage from Hurricane Dorian, or if you’re looking for ways to help those in need, start at ftc.gov/weatheremergencies . You’ll find ways to spot the scams that often follow disasters
Consumer Alert

Serious health claims for CBD products need proof

Bridget Small
Three companies that tout their cannabis-derived products as miracle treatments for serious illnesses have gotten letters from the FTC warning that they’re at risk for legal action unless they have
Consumer Alert

Free trials and tribulations

Lisa Lake
As you browse online, you probably see offers to try out cool products or services for free. This can be tempting and, many times, it’s okay to check them out. But some dishonest companies will bury
Consumer Alert

YouTube pays big for tracking kids

Lisa Weintraub Schifferle
Does your child love YouTube videos? Did you know that while little Susie was watching her favorite shows, YouTube was collecting data and using it to send her targeted ads? Under a settlement with
Consumer Alert

Where is your online search leading you?

Lisa Lake
Dishonest companies set up websites that look like legitimate places to get information on finding a job, joining the military, or getting government benefits. But they might not help you with any of
Consumer Alert

Back to school: Online safety

Ari Lazarus
Now that summertime is quickly coming to an end, it’s back-to-school season. While you’re running around getting pencils, calculators and binders, remember something else on your back-to-school list
Consumer Alert

The latest news on romance scams

Jim Kreidler
If you’ve seen the news, ‘romance scammers’ are among the eighty defendants indicted today by the Department of Justice in a scheme that stole millions from Americans. Check out this video about how
Consumer Alert

Is the American Community Survey legit?

Colleen Tressler
Here at the FTC, we always tell people to use caution when someone they don’t know asks them for personal information. So it’s not surprising that people are asking questions about mailings and phone
Consumer Alert

Summer Film Series: Unwanted calls to your mobile phone

Megan Gordon
Ring, ring! The film series is back, this time with help to stop unwanted calls to your mobile phone. Unwanted calls are annoying. They interrupt your day, and many are meant to scam you. But what can
Consumer Alert

Back to college: Renting a house or apartment

Elena Hoffman
Are you heading back to college this fall? If so, you might be about to move in to your first-ever rental house or apartment. Here are some tips for first-time renters: Check your credit report. When
Consumer Alert

Claims in weight loss ads might be false

Rosario Méndez
Some ads for weight loss products promise miracles. They might say that the product works for everyone or will let you lose weight permanently. Those claims are lies. Dishonest advertisers will tell
Consumer Alert

Summer Film Series: Avoiding student loan debt

Megan Gordon
Today’s Summer Film Series feature is about something many recent graduates might be trying to put out of their minds this summer: student loans.* As a recent graduate myself, I know firsthand the
Consumer Alert

Refunds for Global Access Technical Support customers

Nicole Christ
If you paid for technical support services from Global Access Technical Support (GATS), you’ll be getting a letter or an email from the Federal Trade Commission about a refund. You might have known