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Consumer Alert

Empower yourself against utility scams

Lisa Lake
You get a call saying your electricity or water will be shut off unless you pay a past due bill. You may not think you have a past due bill. But the caller sounds convincing, and you can’t afford to
Consumer Alert

Your Social Security number isn’t suspended. Ever.

Lisa Lake
A caller says that he’s from the government and your Social Security number (SSN) has been suspended. He sounds very professional. So you should do exactly what he says to fix things…right? Wrong. The
Consumer Alert

Empowering Hispanic consumers and business owners

Cristina Miranda
September 15 th marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month — a time to celebrate the heritage, cultures and contributions of all Latino and Hispanic Americans in the U.S. For us at the FTC, it is
Consumer Alert

Wise giving after a hurricane

Colleen Tressler
The 2018 hurricane season is upon us. If you haven’t made storm preparations, now is the time. The FTC has information to help you prepare for, deal with, and recover from the long-term impacts of a
Consumer Alert

Free publications about credit and debt

Amy Hebert
Do you work or volunteer with people who are concerned about debt or want to improve their credit? Then you might be interested in these three new free booklets. Delivery to your home or office is
Consumer Alert

Copycat recruiting sites?

Cristina Miranda
Servicemembers understand the serious responsibility of enlisting in the armed forces. But some companies may try to take advantage. If you or a loved one is visiting military recruiting websites to
Consumer Alert

Anatomy of a fake check scam

Colleen Tressler
Fake checks drive many types of scams – like those involving phony prize wins, fake jobs, mystery shoppers, online classified ad sales, and others. In a fake check scam, a person you don’t know asks
Consumer Alert

It’s National Preparedness Month: Make a plan

Colleen Tressler
Extreme weather and natural disasters can occur with little warning. This year’s floods and wildfires are proof of that. Are you ready to leave your home at a moment’s notice? You can reduce your
Consumer Alert

Let's talk about cyberbullying

Ari Lazarus
Last week, the FTC joined several other agencies and the First Lady for an important conversation about cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is a tough subject for both parents and educators. That’s why most
Consumer Alert

Selling your car? Clear your personal data first.

Colleen Tressler
Is a new car in your future? You might first have some unfinished business with your old one. While you’re cleaning out your personal items, think about the personal information stored in the car’s
Consumer Alert

Avoid hurricane relief charity fraud

Cristina Miranda
Hurricane Lane is a Category 4 churning in the Pacific with an eye toward the Hawaiian islands. If you haven’t made storm preparations, now is the time. The FTC has information to help you prepare for
Consumer Alert

How to avoid a Bitcoin blackmail scam

Cristina Miranda
“I know about the secret you are keeping from your wife and everyone else. You can ignore this letter, or pay me a $8600 confidentiality fee in Bitcoin”. It’s enough to send shivers down anyone’s
Consumer Alert

Back to school: Protect your child’s information

Colleen Tressler
Many school forms require personal and sensitive information. Here are some tips for keeping your child’s personal information safe — from pre-school through college. Safeguard your child’s Social
Consumer Alert

School shopping can be a teachable moment

Colleen Tressler
As summer winds down, it’s time for back-to-school shopping. Here are some tips to help you save time and money. Get the teacher-approved list. Many teachers have lists of items they want their
Consumer Alert

Back to school? Time to talk online safety

Ari Lazarus
You probably have a list of things to get done before your kids get back to school. It may include getting school supplies, figuring out carpools, and scheduling afterschool programs. There’s one more
Consumer Alert

What you need to know if you were a MOBE customer

Alvaro Puig
We recently wrote about steps that the FTC took to stop MOBE , an internet business-coaching scheme that was promoting a bogus online business opportunity to retirees and veterans. We’ve gotten a lot
Consumer Alert

How to donate wisely after a disaster

Colleen Tressler
Natural disasters and weather emergencies are in the news. Whether it’s the devastating wildfires along the West Coast, the relentless rains and flooding along the East Coast, or tornado strikes in
Consumer Alert

Picking up the pieces after a disaster

Colleen Tressler
Dealing with the aftermath of a wildfire, flood, tornado, or other disaster is never easy, but taking stock and developing a recovery plan can give you a sense of hope and purpose. Here are a few tips
Consumer Alert

Scammers impersonate celebrities on social media

Ari Lazarus
Did your favorite celebrity reach out to you on social media? Before you get too excited, are you sure it’s that person? Really sure? We’ve heard reports that scammers, who will try just about
Consumer Alert

Watch out for card skimming at the gas pump

Colleen Tressler
With the summer travel season in high gear, the FTC is warning drivers about skimming scams at the pump. Skimmers are illegal card readers attached to payment terminals. These card readers grab data