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Do you have a 2012, 2013, or 2014 VW Passat TDI?

November 5, 2018
by
Lesley Fair
Attorney, Division of Consumer & Business Education, FTC

If you have a 2012, 2013, or 2014 Passat 2.0L TDI and got the approved emissions modification, Volkswagen has identified a potential problem with the “fix” it installed on your car that needs your immediate attention. If you have one of those vehicles but haven’t gotten the modification, you must make an important decision very soon. You’ll be getting a detailed letter in the mail from VW about this, but in the meantime, here are some key facts.

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Blog Topics: 
Money & Credit, Buying & Owning a Car

What we heard: military consumer financial issues

July 25, 2017
by
Nat Wood
Associate Director, Consumer & Business Education, FTC

When you want to know what’s going on with a group, you go directly to the source, right? That’s exactly what the FTC did last week when it held a Military Consumer Financial Workshop in San Antonio, Texas. The day’s purpose was to take a look at the financial issues and scams that can affect military consumers – active duty servicemembers, veterans, and their families.

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Blog Topics: 
Money & Credit, Buying & Owning a Car, Credit and Loans, Dealing with Debt

VW settles over false green claims for 3.0 liter diesel cars

February 1, 2017
by
Nat Wood
Associate Director, Consumer & Business Education, FTC

Today, the FTC announced a settlement with Volkswagen over 3.0 liter diesel cars the company claimed had low levels of harmful emissions, but did not. The settlement affects more than 77,000 cars made by VW, Audi or Porsche. These cars were not covered by the settlement announced last year, which covered similar false advertising for VW and Audi 2.0 liter diesel cars.

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Blog Topics: 
Money & Credit, Buying & Owning a Car

Manuel avoids car-buying trouble [fotonovela]

January 22, 2016
by
Alvaro Puig
Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

Manuel and his wife just found the perfect minivan!  They can’t wait to take it home and surprise the kids. But first, there’s the issue of how to pay for it. The dealer financing seems like a good deal, so they go for it. A few days later, the dealer calls to tell Manuel the financing deal fell through. He says Manuel has to accept a new, more expensive deal or he’ll lose the minivan. What will Manuel do?

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Blog Topics: 
Money & Credit, Buying & Owning a Car