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Consumer Alert

How to spot, avoid, and report weather-related scams

Colleen Tressler
From the relentless series of powerful storms that have battered California to the dozens of tornadoes that swept across six states, including Alabama, Georgia, and Kentucky, 2023 is off to a devastating start. Whether you’re getting back on your feet or looking for ways to help people in hard-hit areas, learn how scammers operate — and how to avoid them.
Consumer Alert

Did you pay WealthPress for investment advice?

Gema de las Heras
Search online for “trading” or “investments” and you’ll be bombarded with offers, often from self-proclaimed experts, guaranteeing you’ll make big money fast. But no one can truthfully make those kinds of guarantees. That includes WealthPress, a company the FTC says violated the law by making false earnings claims to convince people to buy its financial trading services.
Consumer Alert

A scam alert for the Korean community

Kati Daffan
Here’s a scam we know is hitting the Korean community right now — but it’s just as likely to be coming soon to a phone or email inbox near you. Because one thing we know is that scammers never target just one person (or community). Read on so you can spot and report these scammers before they trick someone you care about out of money.
Consumer Alert

Here’s where to get FREE COVID tests

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With the reopening of the federal government program to order no-cost COVID-19 tests, there are more options to get free tests this year.  But how do you know what’s legit and what’s a scam? Read on.
Article

Avoid Scams When You Travel

Before you start your travel plans, learn common tactics scammers use that can ruin your entire trip.
Article

Nanny and Caregiver Job Scams

Caregiver websites can help you find jobs. But scammers also use them to find people to rip off.
Consumer Alert

’Tis the season to spot and avoid gift card scams

Kira Krown
Looking for a New Year’s resolution? Here’s one for you: Keep your hard-earned money safe from scammers by spotting and avoiding gift card scams. Then help others spot and avoid them, too. Scammers want you to pay with gift cards because they’re like cash: once you use a gift card, the money on it is gone. But what do gift card scams look like?
Consumer Alert

Credit card debt relief that wasn’t

Ari Lazarus
Credit card debt can be stressful. Interest rates can be high, and if you miss or can’t make your full payments, that growing balance can be overwhelming. Enter a group of companies that promised to reduce or eliminate your credit card debt. (For a fee.) But did they?
Consumer Alert

No, that’s not the IRS texting about a tax refund or rebate. It’s a scam.

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IRS impersonators have been around for a while. But as more people get to know their tricks, they’re switching it up. So instead of contacting you about a tax debt and making threats to get you to pay up, scammers may send you a text about a “tax rebate” or some other tax refund or benefit. Here’s what to know about the new twist.
Consumer Alert

The FBI won’t ask you for money — that’s a scam

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Unwanted calls are annoying — but when a caller says they’re an FBI agent collecting on a legal judgment entered against you, it’s also scary. No matter how urgent and serious the call sounds, neither the judgment nor the agent are real. Like other impersonation scams, FBI imposters are after your money and personal information, and they might even threaten to arrest you unless you pay immediately. (Again: it’s not real.) Read on to learn to spot the scam.
Consumer Alert

Imposter scams targeting veterans and servicemembers

Gema de las Heras
As we continue to honor and celebrate veterans, scammers increase efforts around holidays — like Veteran’s Day — to try to take advantage. Right now, a banking scam is tricking veterans (and current servicemembers) into sharing sensitive personal or financial information. Find out how.
Consumer Alert

Stay away from scams this Medicare Open Enrollment Period

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If you or one of your loved ones are on Medicare, you’re probably aware that open enrollment ends on December 7. And you’re probably reviewing and comparing different options to select a plan that’s right for you. But as you shop around, know that scammers might take advantage of this period to impersonate Medicare agents.
Consumer Alert

Veteran entrepreneurs: Spot the scams

Rosario Mendez
The FTC joins the country in honoring veteran entrepreneurs and their families this National Veterans Small Business Week. We offer thanks as you continue to serve communities all over the nation through your businesses. Unfortunately, scammers are ready to take your hard-earned profits and steal your sensitive business data. So, this week, take time to talk to your employees about how scams happen.
Consumer Alert

How to recognize a fake Geek Squad renewal scam

Alvaro Puig
Scammers are at it again, impersonating well-known businesses and trying to rip people off. This time they’re pretending to be from Geek Squad, Best Buy’s tech support service. Here’s what we’re hearing about the scam and what to do if you see it.