How to prepare for hurricane season 2022 and avoid storm-related scams

How to prepare for hurricane season 2022 and avoid storm-related scams By Colleen Tressler Threats from hurricanes don't come just from wind and rain, storm surges, flooding and rip currents, or tornadoes and landslides. Hurricane-related threats also come in the form of scammers who use those weather emergencies to cheat people. Some of the most common weather-related frauds and scams include people who promise to help you with clean-up or repairs, but disappear with your money; those who pretend to be FEMA or other government agencies; people who promise you a job – if only you pay to get it; and those who promise you a place to rent – if only you wire them the money to get the place sight unseen. Read More ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/05/how-prepare-hurricane-season-2022-and-avoid-storm-related-scams

How to prepare for hurricane season 2022 and avoid storm-related scams

Applying for jobs? Be on the lookout for scams

Applying for jobs? Be on the lookout for scams By Lauren Prather You might have just graduated from college, but there's still more to learn when you're on the job hunt. Not every posting or job recruiter is legit.  Learn how to spot the scams. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/05/applying-jobs-be-lookout-scams

https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/05/applying-jobs-be-lookout-scams

Did you get a text from your own number? That’s a scam

Did you get a text from your own number? That's a scam By Andrew Rayo Scammers are always thinking up ways to put a new spin on their criminal tricks. This time, they're sending spam texts to you — from your own phone number. They've changed (spoofed) the caller ID to look like they're messaging you from your number, but the shock of getting a text from yourself is bound to get your attention — which is what they're after. Read More ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/04/did-you-get-text-your-own-number-thats-scam

Did you get a text from your own number? That’s a scam

Check your inbox for an email about a refund from OnPoint Global

Check your inbox for an email about a refund from OnPoint Global by Karen Hobbs Did you use one of OnPoint's bogus websites — like DMV.com or floridadriverslicense.com — to get driver's license or vehicle registration services? Now you can apply to get back the money you lost.  Learn more at ftc.gov/OnPointDMV. Don't wait, the deadline to apply for a refund is July 5, 2022. Read More -> https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/04/check-your-inbox-email-about-refund-onpoint-global

Check your inbox for an email about a refund from OnPoint Global

 

Fraud and older adults – what’s your story?

Fraud and older adults – what’s your story?

by Bridget Small, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

Your stories help us better understand how fraud affects every community. During National Consumer Protection Week, we’re offering information and advice for some of these communities. 

Today we’re focusing on scams that have an impact on older adults.

Read more -> https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2022/03/fraud-and-older-adults-whats-your-story?utm_source=govdelivery

Fraud and older adults – what’s your story?

Kurbo by WW charged with collecting kids’ personal info without parents’ permission

Kurbo by WW charged with collecting kids' personal info without parents' permission by Amy Hebert, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC Advertised as a weight management service for kids, teens, and families, the Kurbo by WW app and website let kids as young as 8 track their weight, food intake, activity, and more.  The problem?  Many parents didn't know their kids were using it, while the app and website were collecting and keeping information about kids without their parents' permission. Shared from -> https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2022/03/kurbo-ww-charged-collecting-kids-personal-info-without-parents-permission?utm_source=govdelivery

FTC Kicks Off National Consumer Protection Week this Sunday, March 6

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will launch the annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) this Sunday, March 6. 

Joined by other federal, state, and local agencies, consumer and national advocacy organizations, the FTC will spend March 6-12 sharing information with Americans on how they can avoid scams, identity theft, and other consumer protection issues.

To support these efforts, the FTC and its partners have organized a series of programming ranging from webinars to Twitter chats and livestreams. Topics of interest include college students and cryptocurrency scams, financial caregiving, and how to recover from fraud.

For more about events coming up this week -> https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2022/03/ftc-kicks-national-consumer-protection-week-sunday-march-6?utm_source=govdelivery 

FTC Kicks Off National Consumer Protection Week this Sunday, March 6

MASS Consumer Affairs: "Protect Yourself from Fraudulent COVID-19 At Home Tests"

"Beyond knowing what signs to look for in COVID scams, there are a few steps to take to protect yourself from purchasing a fake COVID test online.

1. Make sure that you are buying an FDA authorized test
2. Do your research
3. Pay with your credit card

To make sure that the test you are purchasing is FDA approved, see if it is on the FDA’s lists of approved antigen diagnostic tests or their list for molecular diagnostic tests. "

Continue reading the article online
http://blog.mass.gov/consumer/massconsumer/how-to-protect-yourself-from-fraudulent-covid-19-at-home-tests/

 "Protect Yourself from Fraudulent COVID-19 At Home Tests"

MA Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation: Top 10 Worst Products for MA Consumers

"As part of our ongoing consumer education and outreach, OCABR is again sharing its “Top 10 Worst Products for Massachusetts Consumers List” of 2021. The use of the products featured on this list have resulted in legal or legislative action, recalls, and/or other measures to protect the public. For product recall details visit the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. Please see the disclaimer below for additional details."

Read more about the list of products
http://blog.mass.gov/consumer/massconsumer/top-10-worst-products-for-ma-consumers-list-of-2021/

#10 

Top 10 Worst Products for Massachusetts Consumers List - #10

 #1

Top 10 Worst Products for Massachusetts Consumers List - #1

Keep your personal information safe in the New Year

Keep your personal information safe in the New Year by Jim Kreidler, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC As 2021 winds down, lots of us are making resolutions for a fresh start in the New Year — maybe to exercise regularly, get our finances in order, or spend more time with friends. But your list isn't complete until you add "update my security software" and "protect my personal information" to the mix. Scammers and hackers are always looking for new ways to steal your personal information online. Read more ->  https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2021/12/keep-your-personal-information-safe-new-year?utm_source=govdelivery

Keep your personal information safe in the New Year

United against scams - "The first principle of Kwanzaa is Umoja (unity)"

United against scams by Carol Kando-Pineda, Attorney, FTC's Consumer & Business Education Kwanzaa, which is based on traditional African harvest festivals, is celebrated every year from December 26 to January 1. The first principle of Kwanzaa is Umoja (unity) and the importance of finding ways to stay united and working together. Pulling together to protect loved ones — against scammers, for example — is especially important this time of year. Read more ->  https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2021/12/united-against-scams?utm_source=govdelivery

United against scams - "The first principle of Kwanzaa is Umoja (unity)"

’Tis the season for student loan scam calls

'Tis the season for student loan scam calls by Emily Wu Attorney, FTC, Division of Consumer & Business Education If you have a federal student loan, you probably already know that the Coronavirus emergency relief program that has paused your payments is ending. Repayments will begin again after January 31, 2022. Scammers know it, too, and are looking for ways to take advantage: they're calling, texting, and e-mailing to try to use any confusion around restarting your student loan payments to steal your money and personal information. Read more ->  https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2021/12/tis-season-student-loan-scam-calls?utm_source=govdelivery

Washington Post: "Five charts explaining why inflation is at a near 40-year high" (3 min video)

"The bumpy economic recovery has had policymakers, economists and American households grappling with greater price hikes for groceries, gas, cars, rent and just about everything else we need.

The latest inflation data, released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, showed prices in November rose to a nearly 40-year high, climbing 6.8 percent compared with the year before.

For months, officials at the Federal Reserve and White House argued that pandemic-era inflation will be temporary. But they’ve had to back away from that message, which was increasingly hard to square with what was happening in the economy — and the way Americans experience it.

Persistent supply chain backlogs and high consumer demand for goods have kept prices elevated. There is no clear answer for when that will change, leaving Americans to feel the strain in their pocketbooks in the meantime. This is a breakdown of how we got here."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/10/14/inflation-prices-supply-chain/

Year-over-year changes in overall consumer price index, seasonally adjusted

Avoiding a money mule scam

Avoiding a money mule scam by Bridget Small, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC Scammers are looking for people to help them move stolen money. They visit dating, job search, and other sites, tell fake stories, and make up reasons to send you money. Then they tell you to send the money to someone else.  If you help a scammer move stolen money — even if you didn't know it was stolen — you could get into legal trouble. Read more ->  https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2021/12/avoiding-money-mule-scam?utm_source=govdelivery Avoiding a money mule scam

Donate safely this #GivingTuesday

Donate safely this Giving Tuesday by Rosario Méndez, Attorney, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC Giving Tuesday is a great time to show your gratitude by donating to help others. But you don't want to give money to a fake charity or scammer (any day of the week). Read more >

Giving Tuesday is a great time to show your gratitude by donating to help others. But you don’t want to give money to a fake charity or scammer (any day of the week). 

Before you donate this Giving Tuesday ― and anytime you’re asked to give to charity:

• Research the cause or the organization. Search online for the name of the organization or cause with words like “review,” “scam,” or “complaint.” See if others have had good or bad experiences with the charity. Check out what charity watchdog groups say about that organization.  

• Continue reading the article ->   https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2021/11/donate-safely-giving-tuesday?utm_source=govdelivery

 

Donate safely this #GivingTuesday

FTC Consumer Alerts: Before you join that crowdfunding campaign, read this

Before you join that crowdfunding campaign, read this by Emily Wu Attorney, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC If it takes a village to raise a child, crowdfunding may be what it takes to make that invention a reality. But scammers could be behind those crowdfunding efforts and take your money without delivering what they promise. Crowdfunding can help raise money to develop a new product or invention. To get investors, the organizer may promise something in exchange for contributions. Investors might get a payout once the invention is profitable, be the first to get the new product, or get the new product at a discount later on. When you give money to a crowdfunding campaign, it goes directly to the campaign organizer. But a dishonest businessperson might lie about the project, product, and timeline. And they might lie about the rewards you’ll get once the product is finished. Continue reading the article ->   https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2021/11/you-join-crowdfunding-campaign-read?utm_source=govdelivery

FTC Consumer Alerts: Before you join that crowdfunding campaign, read this

How to save money heating your home this winter

How to save money heating your home this winter by Colleen Tressler Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC The days are getting cooler — in fact, some parts of the U.S. have already seen snow. Experts report it's going to be an expensive winter to heat your home, but there are things you can do now to cut your energy costs. Read more ->  https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2021/11/how-save-money-heating-your-home-winter?utm_source=govdelivery

How to save money heating your home this winter

Your guide to holiday shopping during a chip shortage

Your guide to holiday shopping during a chip shortage by Carly Johnson, Intern, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC If you've been keeping up with the news, you might have heard about a global chip shortage.  Why does that matter to your holiday shopping?  Well, a lot of things you might buy for the holidays, like toys, have chips in them, so the shortage means prices are going up, and items that have chips can be harder to find. Read more ->  https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2021/11/your-guide-holiday-shopping-during-chip-shortage?utm_source=govdelivery Your guide to holiday shopping during a chip shortage

FTC Consumer Alerts: This week the focus is on charity scams

This week the focus is on charity scams by Rosario Mendez, Attorney, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC Every year, charity regulators from around the word get together to raise awareness about charity fraud.  The FTC joins this effort again this year because it's so important to know how to spot a charity scam. This year, we're focusing on charity scams. Read more >  https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2021/10/week-focus-charity-scams?utm_source=govdelivery This week the focus is on charity scams

Lifeline Awareness Week

 

"Living alone can be isolating, especially over the past year when socializing has been a health risk due to COVID-19. That is why the Department of Telecommunications and Cable (DTC) wants you to know, no matter your income, there are ways for you to have a home phone, cell phone, and internet plan. Since 1985, the Lifeline Program, a service administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company as part of the Universal Service Fund, has kept Americans connected and safe by providing low cost and no cost phone service options for eligible low-income consumers.

To commemorate the availability of this government service, the DTC and its partners­—the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) and National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA)—are participating in Lifeline Awareness Week from September 20-24, 2021. Through this awareness week, these groups hope to educate the public about this life saving prevention program."

Continue reading the article online
http://blog.mass.gov/consumer/massconsumer/lifeline-awareness-week/

In the revised and "preliminary final" Housing Production Plan almost 12% of Franklin householders live alone, and 7.1% of those are over 65 years old. 
https://www.franklinma.gov/planning-community-development/files/preliminary-final-2021-housing-production-plan

Lifeline Awareness Week