Federal Trade Commission: Protecting kids and adults online

Protecting kids and adults online By BCP Staff It's a good day for any federal or state government agency when they can say kids are safer, and today is that day for the Federal Trade Commission and the Utah Division of Consumer Protection.  Together, they announced a settlement with Aylo, a collection of companies managing more than 100 porn sites (including Pornhub, YouPorn, and Redtube) over their distribution of child sex abuse materials, as well as non-consensual images and video. Read more -> https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/09/protecting-kids-and-adults-online?utm_source=govdelivery

Disney settles charges that it violated children’s online privacy protection law

Disney settles charges that it violated children's online privacy protection law By BCP Staff The Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA Rule) gives parents control over the online collection of their children's personal information. Before a website or app collects personal information from a child under the age of 13, it must notify the parents and get their approval.  Under a settlement with the FTC, Disney has agreed to pay a $10 million penalty for violating the COPPA Rule. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/09/disney-settles-charges-it-violated-childrens-online-privacy-protection-law?utm_source=govdelivery

    

Disney settles charges that it violated children’s online privacy protection law

How to avoid scams when looking for drug treatment (video)

How to avoid scams when looking for drug treatment By BCP Staff August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day — a day to commemorate those lost to a drug overdose, support their surviving families, and dedicate resources to end overdose.  One way the FTC is working to help people and families dealing with substance use disorders is by cracking down on companies that try to manipulate or deceive people seeking treatment.  If you search online to find help, know that dishonest businesses could use search result scams to steer you their way. Here are some things to know when searching online for drug treatment help. Read more  ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/08/how-avoid-scams-when-looking-drug-treatment?utm_source=govdelivery      Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXjT1elh2lA

Looking for health insurance? Make sure that’s what you’re getting

Looking for health insurance? Make sure that's what you're getting By BCP Staff Are you looking to get or switch your health insurance? Know that some dishonest marketers might lie about what your plan would cover, make it seem like they're selling health insurance when you're really just getting a discount plan, or try to sell you something else entirely. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/08/looking-health-insurance-make-sure-thats-what-youre-getting?utm_source=govdelivery

Parents versus kids challenge: Who knows more about protecting personal information? (video)

Parents versus kids challenge: Who knows more about protecting personal information? By BCP Staff Back to school is a great time to start having conversations with your family about creating good online habits. Rather than telling kids what they should or shouldn't do online, consider making it a parent versus kids challenge. Find out who in your house knows more about protecting their personal information online — and bring in a little healthy competition. Read more  -> https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/08/parents-versus-kids-challenge-who-knows-more-about-protecting-personal-information?utm_source=govdelivery      Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aj97-C4tMKc

Scammers are using fake websites in a twist on jury duty scams

Scammers are using fake websites in a twist on jury duty scams By BCP Staff Scammers are still pretending to be the police, calling to say you've missed jury duty and need to pay.  But in a new twist, some scammers are now telling you to visit a website to enter your personal information — all so they can steal it and your money. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/08/scammers-are-using-fake-websites-twist-jury-duty-scams?utm_source=govdelivery

    

Scammers are using fake websites in a twist on jury duty scams

FTC provides free resources for learning money management and how to spot and avoid scams

Free resources for learning money management and how to spot and avoid scams By BCP Staff Do you know someone who might need to brush up on their money management skills? Or learn to spot and avoid scams? Back-to-school season is a good time to get to work on learning. Whether you're a student, a parent, or just looking to sharpen your skills, you can learn how to protect your money and personal information. The FTC's consumer.gov has free, reliable information in plain language to help you get started. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/08/free-resources-learning-money-management-and-how-spot-and-avoid-scams?utm_source=govdelivery

Job-seeking servicemembers: Avoid scams while you search

Job-seeking servicemembers: Avoid scams while you search By BCP Staff Discharged from the military, retiring, or transitioning to civilian life? Once you leave active duty, you might be interested in new career opportunities to put your valuable skills and experience to work. Scammers are also looking for opportunities — specifically, to steal your money. Reports to the FTC about job scams have tripled from 2020 to 2024 and reported losses jumped from $90 million to $501 million in that time. Here are some ways to help you spot a scam while you're job searching. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/06/job-seeking-servicemembers-avoid-scams-while-you-search?utm_source=govdelivery

    

Job-seeking servicemembers: Avoid scams while you search

Spot scams while getting out of debt

Spot scams while getting out of debt By BCP Staff Having a lot of debt can be stressful at any age. But if you're retired or about to live on a fixed income, paying off debt can sometimes be more challenging. As you explore your options, know that scammers might promise to take away your debt — for a fee. If you pay them before they help you, you'll likely lose money instead of getting a fresh start. So, what's the best way to pay down debt while avoiding scams? Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/07/spot-scams-while-getting-out-debt?utm_source=govdelivery

Spot scams while getting out of debt

Helping your military kids navigate the online world

Helping your military kids navigate the online world By BCP Staff It takes a village of trusted adults to help military kids adapt to new cities and overcome being the new kid in class again. Kids often need that same village of parents, coaches, and teachers to help them navigate safely online.  If you're looking for tools to talk with kids about privacy and online safety, digital citizenship, spotting and avoiding scams, and understanding advertising, Youville can help! Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/07/helping-your-military-kids-navigate-online-world?utm_source=govdelivery

    Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfAGecNijS8

That text about an overdue traffic ticket is probably a scam

That text about an overdue traffic ticket is probably a scam By BCP Staff Chances are, you've gotten a scam text about unpaid toll charges or know someone who has.  Now scammers are going even further and pretending to be the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) from states all over the country. They insist that you pay for an "overdue traffic ticket" and threaten to suspend your driving privileges (among other things) if you don't.  Here's how the scam works. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/07/text-about-overdue-traffic-ticket-probably-scam?utm_source=govdelivery

Real government agents aren’t asking you to buy and deliver gold bars

Real government agents aren't asking you to buy and deliver gold bars By BCP Staff If someone contacts you unexpectedly and tells you to buy gold bars and hand them to someone (anyone!) to "protect your money," you've spotted a scam. Instead of doing what they say, stop. Want to know how these scams work and how to avoid them? Read on. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/07/real-government-agents-arent-asking-you-buy-and-deliver-gold-bars?utm_source=govdelivery

    

Real government agents aren’t asking you to buy and deliver gold bars

New job? How to spot boss imposter scams

New job? How to spot boss imposter scams By BCP Staff After a long search, you've got that new job. You can't wait to share the good news on social media, but as you're shouting it from the virtual rooftop, know this: it's not only friends and colleagues who'll get the alert. Scammers are watching, too — and they might use the update to target you. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/07/new-job-how-spot-boss-imposter-scams?utm_source=govdelivery

Help the people affected by flooding in Texas — not a scammer

Help the people affected by flooding in Texas — not a scammer By BCP Staff In response to the devastating flash flooding in central Texas, many are looking for ways to get and give help. And scammers are looking to prey on people's generosity.  So how can you make sure your donations go to the people who need them and not to a scammer? Read more -> https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/07/help-people-affected-flooding-texas-not-scammer?utm_source=govdelivery

Welcome to Military Consumer Month 2025

Welcome to Military Consumer Month 2025 By BCP Staff Military servicemembers, veterans, and their families sacrifice a lot to keep our country safe. In the spirit of protecting those who've served, the Federal Trade Commission invites you to talk about scams with your battle buddies. Looking for ways to share what you know and protect someone else from a scam? The FTC's got your six. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/06/welcome-military-consumer-month-2025?utm_source=govdelivery

        

Welcome to Military Consumer Month 2025

Don’t pay for a prize (scam)

Don't pay for a prize (scam) By BCP Staff "You've won!" are two words likely to get your attention – but sometimes it's a scammer delivering the news. (Spoiler: you didn't win anything.) Here's how to spot and avoid prize scams. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/06/dont-pay-prize-scam?utm_source=govdelivery

    

How to avoid work-from-home job scams

How to avoid work-from-home job scams By BCP Staff Scammers know that many people want to make money working from home. So they send emails, texts, or advertise jobs that claim you can make thousands of dollars a month working from home with little time and effort.  What do they really want? Your money or personal information. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/06/how-avoid-work-home-job-scams?utm_source=govdelivery

    

How to avoid work-from-home job scams

Yes, going to the DMV is the only way to avoid a REAL ID scam (RMV in Mass.)

Yes, going to the DMV is the only way to avoid a REAL ID scam By BCP Staff If you want to use your driver's license to fly, you'll need a REAL ID. If you don't have one yet, your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is the place to go, and they're only taking in-person appointments.  But people are telling the FTC that scammers are pretending to be the DMV or another government agency.  Reports say these "officials" are sending messages saying you can skip the line if you pay or give them information. Here's how that scam works so you can avoid it. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/06/yes-going-dmv-only-way-avoid-real-id-scam?utm_source=govdelivery

    

Yes, going to the DMV is the only way to avoid a REAL ID scam

Protecting your personal information: Which documents to keep and which to shred

Protecting your personal information: Which documents to keep and which to shred By BCP Staff When it comes to protecting your identity, you might think about keeping usernames to yourself, using strong passwords, and reviewing your statements. That's all great. But it's also important to think about what you do with documents or digital files that contain your financial information.  So, let's look at what you should keep and lock up, and what you should shred or delete. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/06/protecting-your-personal-information-which-documents-keep-and-which-shred?utm_source=govdelivery

Protecting your personal information: Which documents to keep and which to shred

Successfully scoring summer concert tickets

Successfully scoring summer concert tickets By BCP Staff To paraphrase Taylor Swift, buying concert tickets shouldn't feel like a bear attack.  But for many people hoping to see their favorite artist, sports team, or theatrical cast live, scoring tickets before they sell out can seem impossible.  Why?  Sometimes there just aren't enough tickets available for everyone who wants to go. But sometimes, you might be competing with people who break the rules. Read more -> https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/06/successfully-scoring-summer-concert-tickets?utm_source=govdelivery

Successfully scoring summer concert tickets