If you paid a scammer with a gift card, is your money gone? Maybe not

If you paid a scammer with a gift card, is your money gone? Maybe not By Cristina Miranda Did someone tell you to buy a gift card and give them the numbers? That's a scam. Your money was gone the moment you gave someone those gift card numbers. But now, some gift card companies might be able to get your money back. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/07/if-you-paid-scammer-gift-card-your-money-gone-maybe-not

If you paid a scammer with a gift card, is your money gone? Maybe not

Asked to wire money? Cut the cord

Asked to wire money? Cut the cord By Terri Miller If someone asked you to mail them $200 in cash, would you do it? Probably not. Wiring money is just like sending cash in the mail.  Once it's gone, you probably won't get it back — which explains why scammers tell you to pay that way. You'd think twice before mailing your hard-earned money — do the same thing before you wire money.  Here's what to know.  Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/08/asked-wire-money-cut-cord

Video link -> https://youtube.com/shorts/gsTrV41neJU?feature=share

Asked to wire money? Cut the cord

How to spot and avoid post-disaster scams in the Northeast

How to spot and avoid post-disaster scams in the Northeast By Colleen Tressler As recovery efforts continue in areas of the Northeast hit hard by devastating flooding, scammers aren't far behind. Your tragedy is an opportunity for them, and they'll try to take advantage. If one of the recent storms damaged your home, you might get offers to do things like help you clean up debris or get financial help. The offer might even seem to come from a government official. But how do you know what's real? Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/07/how-spot-and-avoid-post-disaster-scams-northeast

How to spot and avoid post-disaster scams in the Northeast

Scammers impersonate delivery service support to rip off drivers and restaurants

Scammers impersonate delivery service support to rip off drivers and restaurants By Larissa Bungo You may have heard about food delivery services like DoorDash or Uber Eats: you order through a restaurant's website or a delivery service's mobile app and drivers deliver your food. We're hearing about a new scam targeting food delivery drivers and restaurants. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/07/scammers-impersonate-delivery-service-support-rip-drivers-and-restaurants

Scammers impersonate delivery service support to rip off drivers and restaurants

Federal Trade Commission: Military consumers and romance scams

Military consumers and romance scams By Carol Kando-Pineda Counsel, FTC's Division of Consumer and Business Education For Military Consumer Month, let's talk a little about how romance scammers target people who support the troops — and sometimes servicemembers themselves. These scammers can be any age, gender, or sexual orientation and may approach you on dating sites or on social media platforms.  In 2022, nearly 70,000 people reported a romance scam to the FTC — and losses hit a staggering $1.3 billion. How can you avoid a romance scam? Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/07/military-consumers-and-romance-scams

Federal Trade Commission: Military consumers and romance scams

Imposters prey on families preparing for the funeral of a loved one

Imposters prey on families preparing for the funeral of a loved one By Alvaro Puig We're hearing about a new scheme that involves imposters preying on people who are grieving the loss of a loved one.  The imposters pretend to be from the funeral home and say that, unless the family pays more money immediately, the funeral will be canceled.  Can you imagine anything more despicable? Read more -> https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/06/imposters-prey-families-preparing-funeral-loved-one

Imposters prey on families preparing for the funeral of a loved one

Business coaching and real estate investment scheme targets Spanish speakers

Business coaching and real estate investment scheme targets Spanish speakers By Cristina Miranda Scammers are always looking for people to lure into schemes, in any language. The latest twist: scammers placing social media ads in Spanish, inviting people to free "seminars" where they'll learn how to profit from an online business or real estate investments.  But will you make money? Or is the company that is speaking your language scamming you? Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/06/business-coaching-and-real-estate-investment-scheme-targets-spanish-speakers

Business coaching and real estate investment scheme targets Spanish speakers

Preparing for hurricane season 2023: How to organize your finances

"When it comes to preparing for hurricanes, financial readiness is as important as a flashlight with fully charged batteries. Leaving your home can be stressful, but knowing that your personal and financial documents are up to date, in one place, and portable can make a big difference at a tense time. Read on to learn how to identify and organize important papers before a disaster strikes.

Here are some steps to help you get started."

Continue reading the tips for organizing finances ->

https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/05/preparing-hurricane-season-2023-how-organize-your-finances 

Preparing for hurricane season 2023: How to organize your finances

How to stop subscriptions you never ordered

How to stop subscriptions you never ordered By Jim Kreidler Many subscription offers are tempting, especially if they offer a free trial period before you commit. But what if you're getting a magazine subscription you never ordered? How do you stop it? Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.goftcv/consumer-alerts/2023/05/how-stop-subscriptions-you-never-ordered

How to stop subscriptions you never ordered

Scam proof the young people in your life

Scam proof the young people in your life By Jim Kreidler Think the techy young people in your life are too techy to be scammed? Think again. According to data from the FTC, people in their twenties reported losing money to fraud at a higher rate than people in their seventies.  So, if you count yourself an older adult, let's use your accumulated knowledge this Older American's Month. Reach out to the young people in your life to help them better spot and avoid scams.  But where to start? Read more -> https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/05/scam-proof-young-people-your-life

Scam proof the young people in your life

Shopping online? Here’s what to do when things go wrong

Shopping online? Here's what to do when things go wrong By Andrew Rayo Ever had a bad online shopping experience? Maybe you ordered one thing but got another.  Or that new company never shipped your order, despite charging you. So, what do you do? Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/03/shopping-online-heres-what-do-when-things-go-wrong

Shopping online? Here’s what to do when things go wrong

Crypto investment scammers are targeting your community groups

Crypto investment scammers are targeting your community groups By Cristina Miranda Crypto investment talk is everywhere — even in your local community groups in real life or online. But scammers join these groups, too.  Their mission? Gain the group's trust…and then exploit relationships and trick you into crypto investment scams.  But how do you spot and avoid these scammers? Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/03/crypto-investment-scammers-are-targeting-your-community-groups

Crypto investment scammers are targeting your community groups

During this National Consumer Protection Week, let’s talk about impersonation scams

This NCPW, let's talk about impersonation scams By Samuel Levine, Director, Bureau of Consumer Protection It's National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2023 and it couldn't come at a better time. The FTC's recently released top frauds of 2022 have impersonation scams at #1 again.  So, this NCPW, let's talk with friends, family, and neighbors about spotting and avoiding these impersonation scams. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/03/ncpw-lets-talk-about-impersonation-scams

During this National Consumer Protection Week, let’s talk about impersonation scams

doTERRA distributors charged with making unfounded COVID-19 cure claims

doTERRA distributors charged with making unfounded COVID-19 cure claims By Gema de las Heras Essential oils and supplements to prevent, treat, or cure COVID-19? If it smells fishy to you, the FTC agrees.  According to the FTC, three high-level distributors for Utah-based multi-level marketing company doTERRA International, LLC, broke the law because they didn't have scientific proof to back up their health benefit claims. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/03/doterra-distributors-charged-making-unfounded-covid-19-cure-claims

doTERRA distributors charged with making unfounded COVID-19 cure claims

National Consumer Protection Week 2023 Begins Sunday, March 5

National Consumer Protection Week 2023 Begins Sunday, March 5 The Federal Trade Commission and its partners, including consumer organizations, national advocacy organizations, and other federal, state, and local government agencies will participate in virtual and in-person events to promote consumers' rights and protections against fraud, scams, and identity theft. View Press Release -> https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/03/national-consumer-protection-week-2023-begins-sunday-march-5 More news from the FTC

Wireless Customers Who Were Subject to Data Throttling by AT&T Can Apply for a Payment from the FTC

Wireless Customers Who Were Subject to Data Throttling by AT&T Can Apply for a Payment from the FTC Those who had unlimited data plans with AT&T between 2011-2015 may be eligible The Federal Trade Commission opened a claims process for former AT&T customers who have yet to claim a refund stemming from the FTC's lawsuit against the company for misleading consumers about its unlimited data plans. View Press Release More news from the FTC

Here’s where to get FREE COVID tests

Here's where to get FREE COVID tests By Gema de las Heras 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. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/12/heres-where-get-free-covid-tests

Here’s where to get FREE COVID tests

’Tis the season to spot and avoid gift card scams

'Tis the season to spot and avoid gift card scams By 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?  Read more -> https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/12/tis-season-spot-and-avoid-gift-card-scams ’Tis the season to spot and avoid gift card scams

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

No, that's not the IRS texting about a tax refund or rebate. It's a scam.  By Gema de las Heras 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. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/11/no-thats-not-irs-texting-about-tax-refund-or-rebate-its-scam

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

Charity scams for veterans tug at heart strings and grab for wallets

Charity scams for veterans tug at heart strings and grab for wallets By Terri Miller Want to help charities that support servicemembers and veterans? Around Veterans Day, charity scammers seek to take advantage of your generosity.  They contact you about fake veteran and military causes, tugging at your heart strings — and grabbing for your wallet. A little research will help you spot these charity scams and make sure your donations count. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/11/charity-scams-veterans-tug-heart-strings-and-grab-wallets

Charity scams for veterans tug at heart strings and grab for wallets