Showing posts with label consumer affairs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label consumer affairs. Show all posts

Saturday, February 24, 2024

Saturday, December 9, 2023

Stay scam free, no matter how far away you roam


Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission

By Andrew Rayo

Planning to travel this holiday season? No matter where you're going (over the river and through the woods), how you're getting there (planes, trains, and automobiles), or where you're staying (home for the holidays), here are the scams to avoid along the way.

Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/11/stay-scam-free-no-matter-how-far-away-you-roam





Thursday, November 30, 2023

What to do if you can’t make car payments


Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission

By Colleen Tressler

Trouble making car payments? Worried about repossession? Unexpected life events, like a job loss or drop in income, may affect your ability to pay your bills, including car payments. 

If you're worried that you won't be able to make your next car payment, take action as soon as possible. If you get behind on your payments, your lender could repossess your car — sometimes without warning. Read on to learn what to do.

Read more >  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/11/what-do-if-you-cant-make-car-payments

 

What to do if you can’t make car payments
What to do if you can’t make car payments

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

Tuesday, August 8, 2023

Asked to wire money? Cut the cord




Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission

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. 


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

Asked to wire money? Cut the cord
Asked to wire money? Cut the cord

Saturday, July 29, 2023

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

 

Saturday, July 22, 2023

Friday, July 7, 2023

Federal Trade Commission: Military consumers and romance scams


 Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission
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.




Federal Trade Commission: Military consumers and romance scams
Federal Trade Commission: Military consumers and romance scams


Saturday, June 17, 2023

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


Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission

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. 



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

Thursday, June 15, 2023

Business coaching and real estate investment scheme targets Spanish speakers


Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission

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
Business coaching and real estate investment scheme targets Spanish speakers

Sunday, May 28, 2023

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 ->

Preparing for hurricane season 2023: How to organize your finances
Preparing for hurricane season 2023: How to organize your finances

Sunday, May 21, 2023

How to stop subscriptions you never ordered


Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission

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
How to stop subscriptions you never ordered

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Scam proof the young people in your life


Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission

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. 


Friday, April 7, 2023

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


Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission

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

Friday, March 10, 2023

Crypto investment scammers are targeting your community groups


Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission

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
Crypto investment scammers are targeting your community groups

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

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


Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission

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.


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

Sunday, March 5, 2023

doTERRA distributors charged with making unfounded COVID-19 cure claims


Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission

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.



doTERRA distributors charged with making unfounded COVID-19 cure claims
doTERRA distributors charged with making unfounded COVID-19 cure claims

Saturday, March 4, 2023

National Consumer Protection Week 2023 Begins Sunday, March 5


 
FTC Logo

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


 

Saturday, January 21, 2023

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


 
FTC Logo


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


 

Thursday, December 22, 2022

Here’s where to get FREE COVID tests


Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission

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
Here’s where to get FREE COVID tests