The FTC’s free materials help reentering and incarcerated consumers learn the basics of managing money, spotting and avoiding scams, and making buying decisions that are best for them and their families. You can use these free materials in workshops, community fairs, gatherings — or for your own personal use. Order your copies free of charge – and there are no copyright restrictions, so you can use and adapt content into newsletters, websites, or articles.
Reentry and Corrections Education
Recommended Resources
Get the Basics
Consumer.gov (in Spanish, Consumidor.gov) offers easy-to-use information on managing your money, understanding credit and debt, choosing debit and credit cards, avoiding job scams, and much more. Also check out our series of graphic novels for Spanish-speakers.
Find a Car
A car is one of the most expensive things many people buy. It’s important to know how to get the best deal you can.
Rent a Home
Get the basics on renting a home, regardless of your credit history. In a hurry? Watch this video instead.
Meet Your Education Goals
If you’re getting your high school diploma or college degree, it pays to know how to spot scams. Learn how to protect yourself from fake diploma sites that trick you into paying for worthless “diplomas,” and college degree scams that try to sell you fake degrees from unaccredited schools.
Earn Your Living
Whether you’re looking for a job or planning to open a business, it’s important to know your rights and to protect yourself from job and small business scams, as well as work-at-home businesses that may not be as legit as they sound.
Background Checks: What Job Applicants and Employees Should Know
Your application for a job means an employer can check your credit report. Here are some things for job applicants and employees to know.
Take Back (and Protect) Your Identity
People reentering society sometimes find that, while they were in prison, someone used their credit card, other accounts, or Social Security number. Find out what’s going on in your name by ordering your free credit reports.
If you find a problem, IdentityTheft.gov is a one-stop location to report and begin to recover from identity theft – as well as find the steps to help you avoid problems in the future.
Learn more about identity theft.
Let Your Voice be Heard
If you spot a scam, tell someone. Then report it to the FTC online, or call 1-877-FTC-HELP.
Learn more about how to file a complaint.