Recognize an FTC Impersonator

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hosts free events like the National Veterans Golden Age Games to encourage older adults in the veteran community to get active for better health and wellness. But veterans are reporting finding websites or pages on social media that charge a fee to register for the games. These are fakes. Whether you’re looking to compete or just want to watch the games, here’s how to cross the finish line without running into a scam.

You’ve probably seen ads online, on TV, or on social media for subscription offers. They could be for anything from gifts and groceries to snacks and magazines. Some say you can try the subscription for free — but it might not be true. Some will auto-renew if you don’t cancel first, which might come as a surprise. Sometimes you’re signed up for a subscription without even knowing it. Problems with subscriptions or membership fees can happen when a business doesn’t clearly explain that it will keep billing you unless you do something. And that’s what the FTC alleges happened with Maplebear Inc., doing business as Instacart. According to the FTC, Instacart violated the law when, among other things, it charged people annual membership fees for its subscription service after they’d completed free trials — without getting their consent.

If you’re looking to get insurance from the Health Insurance Marketplace, you have until January 15th to sign up. But dishonest companies sometimes advertise comprehensive health insurance when it’s really a medical discount plan or a health plan with limited insurance benefits. And, sometimes, an insurance “offer” is just a scam. As you compare your options, here are some things to consider: