Showing posts with label ftc. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ftc. Show all posts

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Sure ways to spot a scammer


Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission

By Jennifer Leach

Scammers say and do things that can tell us they're lying — and they're not who they pretend to be. Of course, to hear or see those clues, we have to get past the panic scammers make us feel, thanks to the so-called emergencies they try to create. 
And since scammers are convincing, that can be hard to do. But recent scams are costing people their life savings, so here are some sure ways to spot the scammer.

Read more - > https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/03/sure-ways-spot-scammer


Sure ways to spot a scammer
Sure ways to spot a scammer


Saturday, February 24, 2024

Saturday, February 17, 2024

FTC Proposes New Protections to Combat AI Impersonation of Individuals

The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comment on a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking that would prohibit the impersonation of individuals. The proposed rule changes would extend protections of the new rule on government and business impersonation that is being finalized by the Commission today.

The agency is taking this action in light of surging complaints around impersonation fraud, as well as public outcry about the harms caused to consumers and to impersonated individuals. Emerging technology – including AI-generated deepfakes – threatens to turbocharge this scourge, and the FTC is committed to using all of its tools to detect, deter, and halt impersonation fraud.

The Commission is also seeking comment on whether the revised rule should declare it unlawful for a firm, such as an AI platform that creates images, video, or text, to provide goods or services that they know or have reason to know is being used to harm consumers through impersonation.

“Fraudsters are using AI tools to impersonate individuals with eerie precision and at a much wider scale. With voice cloning and other AI-driven scams on the rise, protecting Americans from impersonator fraud is more critical than ever,” said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan. “Our proposed expansions to the final impersonation rule would do just that, strengthening the FTC’s toolkit to address AI-enabled scams impersonating individuals.”

The supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking is being issued in response to comments received during the public comment period on the government and business impersonation rule that pointed to the additional threats and harms posed by impersonation of individuals. As scammers find new ways to defraud consumers, including through AI-generated deepfakes, this proposal will help the agency deter fraud and secure redress for harmed consumers.

Final Rule on Government and Business Impersonation

In addition to the supplemental notice, the FTC has finalized the Government and Business Impersonation Rule, which gives the agency stronger tools to combat scammers who impersonate businesses or government agencies, enabling the FTC to directly file federal court cases aimed at forcing scammers to return the money they made from government or business impersonation scams. This is particularly important given the Supreme Court’s April 2021 ruling in AMG Capital Management LLC v. FTC, which significantly limited the agency’s ability to require defendants to return money to injured consumers.

Government and business impersonation scams have cost consumers billions of dollars in recent years, and both categories saw significant increases in reports to the FTC in 2023. The rule authorizes the agency to fight these scams more effectively.

For example, the rule would enable the FTC to directly seek monetary relief in federal court from scammers that:

Use government seals or business logos when communicating with consumers by mail or online.

Spoof government and business emails and web addresses, including spoofing “.gov” email addresses or using lookalike email addresses or websites that rely on misspellings of a company’s name.
Falsely imply government or business affiliation by using terms that are known to be affiliated with a government agency or business (e.g., stating “I’m calling from the Clerk’s Office” to falsely imply affiliation with a court of law).  

The publication of the final rule comes after the two rounds of public comment in response to an advance notice of proposed rulemaking issued in December 2021, a notice of proposed rulemaking issued in September 2022, and an informal hearing in May 2023.

The Commission vote to issue the final rule and the supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking and to publish them in the Federal Register was 3-0. Chair Lina M. Khan issued a separate statement that was joined by Commissioners Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Alvaro M. Bedoya.

Both items will appear in the Federal Register shortly. The final rule on government and business impersonation will become effective 30 days from the date it is published in the Federal Register. The public comment period for the SNPRM will be open for 60 days following the date it is published in the Federal Register, and instructions for how to comment will be included in the notice.

The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition and protect and educate consumers. Learn more about consumer topics at consumer.ftc.gov, or report fraud, scams, and bad business practices at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Follow the FTC on social media, read consumer alerts and the business blog, and sign up to get the latest FTC news and alerts.

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Tuesday, January 23, 2024

FTC Issues Opinion Finding that TurboTax Maker Intuit Inc. Engaged in Deceptive Practices


 
FTC Logo


Commission order prohibits Intuit from claiming a product or service is free unless it's free for all or must disclose detail about who qualifies

The Federal Trade Commission has issued an Opinion and Final Order that Intuit Inc., the maker of the popular TurboTax tax filing software, engaged in deceptive advertising in violation of the FTC Act and deceived consumers when it ran ads for "free" tax products and services for which many consumers were ineligible.

View Press Release -> https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/01/ftc-issues-opinion-finding-turbotax-maker-intuit-inc-engaged-deceptive-practices
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FTC Issues Opinion Finding that TurboTax Maker Intuit Inc. Engaged in Deceptive Practices
FTC Issues Opinion Finding that TurboTax Maker Intuit Inc. Engaged in Deceptive Practices

 

Saturday, January 13, 2024

Children’s online privacy: Tell the FTC


Children’s online privacy: Tell the FTC

By Carol Kando-Pineda

The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) gives parents control over what information websites can collect from their kids and how they use and share that information. The FTC now proposes changes that would enhance those protections and aim to ensure that parents — not companies — are in charge.

Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/01/childrens-online-privacy-tell-ftc





Children’s online privacy: Tell the FTC
Children’s online privacy: Tell the FTC

Sunday, January 7, 2024

No love for romance scammers in 2024


Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission

By Bridget Small

As your social media and mailboxes fill up with new year's greetings, you might see some unfamiliar names. 

Are the messages from long-lost friends or romance scammers trying to get close? 

Here are some things to watch for.

Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/01/no-love-romance-scammers-2024




No love for romance scammers in 2024
No love for romance scammers in 2024

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

How are robocallers getting your phone number?





Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission

By Andrew Rayo

Does it ever feel like you're getting more robocalls than calls from actual humans? 

Illegal robocalls aren't just annoying — they're also often scams. But you might be wondering — how did they get my number in the first place?

Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/12/how-are-robocallers-getting-your-phone-number




How are robocallers getting your phone number?
How are robocallers getting your phone number?



Friday, December 29, 2023

What to know about holiday gift returns







Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission

By Colleen Tressler, FTC

If you got a gift this holiday season that wasn't quite right, you may be looking to return it. 

Here's some advice to help make the process go more smoothly.

Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/12/what-know-about-holiday-gift-returns





What to know about holiday gift returns
What to know about holiday gift returns


Thursday, December 28, 2023

Thursday, December 21, 2023

Keep your money safe from gift card scammers this holiday season. Here’s how


Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission

By Cristina Miranda

What's one way to keep your money safe from scammers during the holidays? 

If you're in the check-out line buying gift cards, make sure they're for gifts. Only gifts. 

Not because someone tells you to buy gift cards and give them the numbers off the back of the card. Only scammers say that.

Read more -> https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/12/keep-your-money-safe-gift-card-scammers-holiday-season-heres-how




 
Keep your money safe from gift card scammers this holiday season. Here’s how
Keep your money safe from gift card scammers this holiday season. Here’s how

Saturday, December 16, 2023

Last-minute shopping? Three ways to spot rip-offs




Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission

By Gema de las Heras

Ever think about clicking on ads for big markdowns or close-out sales in your feed? Social media seems to know what's on your shopping list, whether it's the season's hot toys, electronics, or other popular items. 

The problem? Scammers are impersonating real companies in ads on Facebook, TikTok, and other social media platforms. 

So, how do you navigate past the fakes without passing up the real bargains? 



Last-minute shopping? Three ways to spot rip-offs
Last-minute shopping? Three ways to spot rip-offs

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

The new CARS Rule: What you need to know







Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission

By Alvaro Puig

Whether you're excited about buying the car of your dreams or just trying to make your budget stretch to get reliable transportation, the car buying process can be stressful. 

It can also be costlier than expected, because of misleading ads and hidden fees at the dealer. 

The FTC's new Combating Auto Retail Scams (CARS) Rule aims to change that by stopping bait-and-switch tactics and hidden fees.

Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/12/new-cars-rule-what-you-need-know





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, December 7, 2023

Scammers hide harmful links in QR codes to steal your information



Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission

By Alvaro Puig

QR codes seem to be everywhere. You may have scanned one to see the menu at a restaurant or pay for public parking. And you may have used one on your phone to get into a concert or sporting event, or to board a flight. There are countless other ways to use them, which explains their popularity. Unfortunately, scammers hide harmful links in QR codes to steal personal information. Here's what to know.

Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/12/scammers-hide-harmful-links-qr-codes-steal-your-information


Scammers hide harmful links in QR codes to steal your information
Scammers hide harmful links in QR codes to steal your information

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Order and share FREE fotonovelas to help your community avoid scams


Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission

By Gema de las Heras

Talking about scams is one of the best ways to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community against scammers. 

You don't have to be an expert, especially with tools to help get the conversation started.

Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/11/order-and-share-free-fotonovelas-help-your-community-avoid-scams



Order and share FREE fotonovelas to help your community avoid scams
Order and share FREE fotonovelas to help your community avoid scams

Saturday, December 2, 2023

So an online scam is NOT what you ordered?




Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission

By Kira Krown, Consumer Education Specialist

This time of year, you're probably buying lots of things online. Gifts, decorations, food! 

But what if something you've ordered shows up different than advertised? Or damaged? 

Or never comes at all? If so, you're not alone.

Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/11/so-online-scam-not-what-you-ordered



YouTube video -> https://youtube.com/shorts/yEoeGmIw3l0?si=2bhYpHOEkvZjCB-u


So an online scam is NOT what you ordered?
So an online scam is NOT what you ordered?

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

Friday, November 10, 2023

Veterans and families: Burial benefits and funeral planning


Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission

By Carol Kando-Pineda

If you're a veteran's surviving family or caregiver, you may be eligible for expanded burial benefits that help cover certain funeral expenses. 

But scammers may contact you, saying that for a fee they can do the paperwork and guarantee what benefits you'll get. 

Other scammers pretend to be from the VA. 

But the VA will never call, text, or email out of the blue and ask for your credit card or bank account information.

Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/11/veterans-and-families-burial-benefits-and-funeral-planning