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

Tried to cancel a service but couldn’t? Learn steps to take

Tried to cancel a service but couldn't? Learn steps to take By Jim Kreidler Have you ever been unhappy with a service — like your phone or Internet — and tried to cancel it? But, when you tried, you found it difficult or nearly impossible?  Learn about the ways companies illegally trick or trap people who use their services, steps to take, and your rights. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/10/tried-cancel-service-couldnt-learn-steps-take Tried to cancel a service but couldn’t? Learn steps to take

Have you been affected by a data breach? Read on

Have you been affected by a data breach? Read on By Ari Lazarus Hackers know a secret many of us share: we reuse passwords. Don't. That's one takeaway from the FTC's case against online alcohol delivery platform Drizly.  Here's what to do after a data breach and why. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/10/have-you-been-affected-data-breach-read

Have you been affected by a data breach? Read on

Prepare for winter weather emergencies while avoiding scams

Prepare for winter weather emergencies while avoiding scams By Terri Miller Scammers don't hibernate in the winter. Just like you, they're watching the weather reports and preparing for storms — and they're counting on catching you unawares. Read more -> https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/10/prepare-winter-weather-emergencies-while-avoiding-scams

Prepare for winter weather emergencies while avoiding scams

Now that the student loan debt relief application is open, spot the scams

Now that the student loan debt relief application is open, spot the scams By K. Michelle Grajales The Department of Education (ED)'s application for federal student loan debt relief is now open and, of course, scammers are on the move — trying to get your money and personal information. Luckily, there are ways to stop them, so keep reading to find out how to protect yourself as you apply for relief. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/10/now-student-loan-debt-relief-application-open-spot-scams

Now that the student loan debt relief application is open, spot the scams

How to save money on utilities this winter and avoid scams

How to save money on utilities this winter and avoid scams By Colleen Tressler When temperatures drop, it often costs more to stay comfortable in your home — and scammers know that. This alert is the first in a series to help you get your home ready for winter, save money, and avoid fraud.  Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/09/how-save-money-utilities-winter-and-avoid-scams

How to save money on utilities this winter and avoid scams

Did you get an email saying your personal info is for sale on the dark web?

Did you get an email saying your personal info is for sale on the dark web? By Seena Gressin People are telling us they've gotten emails warning that their sensitive personal information is being sold in the shadowy marketplaces of the dark web.  Some emails list the stolen information, like all or part of the person's Social Security number, date of birth, and driver's license number. If you've gotten one of these emails, take steps to help protect yourself against financial loss from identity theft. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/09/did-you-get-email-saying-your-personal-info-sale-dark-web

Did you get an email saying your personal info is for sale on the dark web?

Got student loans? Spot scams related to the Sweet lawsuit

Got student loans? Spot scams related to the Sweet lawsuit By Terri Miller If you have student loans, you probably already know about the US Department of Education's (ED's) borrower defense loan forgiveness program.  But did you know about a lawsuit and proposed settlement in the case of Sweet v. Cardona that could mean thousands more people with borrower defense claims will be able to get their eligible federal loans forgiven?  Read on to learn more and see how to avoid scammers looking to cash in. https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/09/got-student-loans-spot-scams-related-sweet-lawsuit

Got student loans? Spot scams related to the Sweet lawsuit

Concerned about deceptive ads and sales of autos? Last call for comments

Concerned about deceptive ads and sales of autos? Last call for comments By Karen Hobbs The FTC is working to address deceptive advertising and unlawful add-on sales in the auto industry by considering changes to the law that would give the agency better tools to protect consumers and honest dealerships.  Want to help? Don't wait!  Submit a comment on the rulemaking and make your voice heard. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/09/concerned-about-deceptive-ads-and-sales-autos-last-call-comments

Concerned about deceptive ads and sales of autos? Last call for comments

Peer-to-peer car sharing: A potentially risky side gig

Peer-to-peer car sharing: A potentially risky side gig By Kira Krown If you're looking for a way to make some extra money, you might be thinking about renting out your car through a peer-to-peer (P2P) app like Getaround, Turo, or HyreCar.  Like other P2P companies that connect people with a product or service to people looking for one, these let you rent your car out — by the hour or day, depending on the company — to people who find you through the platform. But renting your car out on these platforms can also be risky. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/08/peer-peer-car-sharing-potentially-risky-side-gig

Peer-to-peer car sharing: A potentially risky side gig

It’s National Preparedness Month. Are you ready?

It's National Preparedness Month. Are you ready? By Cody Rhew The 2022 hurricane season has been fairly calm, but we have a way to go. The season peaks in mid-September and runs through November. A lot can happen in that time, and not all hurricane related.   This year's heat waves, wildfires, violent storms, and extreme flooding are proof that severe weather and natural disasters can happen anytime, anywhere, and with little warning.  Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/08/its-national-preparedness-month-are-you-ready

It’s National Preparedness Month. Are you ready?

Did you hear about the student loan announcements? Scammers did, too

Did you hear about the student loan announcements? Scammers did, too By K. Michelle Grajales, Attorney, Division of Financial Practices You've probably already heard about the new government plan that will forgive some federal student loans, once it's up and running. Also in the news: the federal student loan payment pause has been extended to December 31, 2022.  But scammers are watching the news, too, so know this: you don't need to do anything or pay anybody to sign up for the new program — or the pause. Nobody can get you in early, help you jump the line, or guarantee eligibility.  And anybody who says they can — or tries to charge you — is (1) a liar, and (2) a scammer. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/08/did-you-hear-about-student-loan-announcements-scammers-did-too

Did you hear about the student loan announcements? Scammers did, too

Selling stuff online? Here’s how to avoid a scam

Selling stuff online? Here's how to avoid a scam Selling stuff online can be a great way to make some extra cash. Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and other sites attract a lot of buyers — and scammers. Here are some ways scammers try to cheat you and what to do about it. For more info visit -> https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/07/selling-stuff-online-heres-how-avoid-scam

Tune into Military Consumer all year long

Tune into Military Consumer all year long By Kira Krown As Military Consumer Month comes to a close, the work doesn't end here. While servicemembers, veterans, and their families do so much for our country, scammers continue to target their hard-earned salaries and benefits year-round. Read More ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/07/tune-military-consumer-all-year-long

https://www.militaryconsumer.gov/

Limited waiver for student loan forgiveness ends October 31

Limited waiver for student loan forgiveness ends October 31 By Terri Miller Do you have federal student loans? Have you worked in public service (for a government agency, the military, or a non-profit organization)? If so, find out whether you're eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Limited Waiver, which expires on October 31, 2022.  Thousands of federal student loan borrowers have used the waiver to get closer to total loan forgiveness.    Read More ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/07/limited-waiver-student-loan-forgiveness-ends-october-31-0

Limited waiver for student loan forgiveness ends October 31

Spot extortion scams on LGBTQ+ dating apps

Spot extortion scams on LGBTQ+ dating apps

Spot extortion scams on LGBTQ+ dating apps By Jim Kreidler Consumer Education Specialist, FTC, Division of Consumer & Business Education It's Pride Month and maybe you're trying to meet someone on an LGBTQ+ dating app. The FTC is hearing about scams targeting people on LGBTQ+ dating apps, like Grindr and Feeld. And they aren't your typical I-love-you, please-send-money romance scams. They're extortion scams. Read More ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/06/spot-extortion-scams-lgbtq-dating-apps

Hurricane season opens June 1 - Are you ready to deal with weather emergencies and avoid scams?

"Today marks the first day of the Atlantic hurricane season, which will run until November 30. Long-term averages for the number of named storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes are 14, 7, and 3, respectively."

Shared from https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/gtwo.php?basin=atlc 

the first day of the Atlantic hurricane season

"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.

The FTC’s site, Dealing with Weather Emergencies, has practical ideas to help you get ready for, deal with, and recover from a weather emergency. It also has advice on how to recognize, avoid, and report frauds and scams."

Shared from https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/05/how-prepare-hurricane-season-2022-and-avoid-storm-related-scams

 

Are you ready to deal with weather emergencies and avoid scams?