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

Protect yourself from phishing scams

Protect yourself from phishing scams By BCP Staff Do you feel like you're getting more emails from strangers than messages from people you actually know?  These unexpected messages are often phishing scams trying to steal your money and personal information.  FTC data shows that email was the top method scammers used to contact people in 2024. To help you avoid these scams, here's what to know. Read more ->   https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/04/protect-yourself-phishing-scams?utm_source=govdelivery

Can you spot an investment scam on social media?

Can you spot an investment scam on social media? By BCP Staff Can you spot an investment scam if it comes from an actual friend's page on social media?  If someone you know is suddenly posting bank account screenshots, claiming they can teach you to make money quickly with little to no risk, it's likely an investment scam.  Keep scrolling to learn how to recognize the signs. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/05/can-you-spot-investment-scam-social-media?utm_source=govdelivery

No, FTC “agents” with badge numbers aren’t calling you

No, FTC "agents" with badge numbers aren't calling you By BCP Staff Scammers impersonating the government — including the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) — is nothing new.  But here's a twist: scammers are now calling themselves FTC "agents" and supplying fake badge numbers and ID cards to try to convince you they are who they say they are. (…They're not who they say they are. The FTC doesn't have "agents.")  So how do you avoid scams like this? Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/05/no-ftc-agents-badge-numbers-arent-calling-you?utm_source=govdelivery

No, FTC “agents” with badge numbers aren’t calling you

What the Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees means for you

What the Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees means for you By BCP Staff Have you ever picked out tickets to an event or the perfect vacation rental and then ended up paying twice what you expected in fees at checkout?  Help is on the way: the FTC's Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees takes effect today. What might this mean for you? Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/05/what-rule-unfair-or-deceptive-fees-means-you?utm_source=govdelivery

What the Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees means for you

Avoid online JOANN impersonators and their fake sales

Avoid online JOANN impersonators and their fake sales By BCP Staff You may have heard the news: JOANN Fabric & Craft stores are closing — and holding big clearance sales before they shut their doors. Looking to grab some deals?  The real JOANN sales are only happening in person in their physical stores. But that hasn't stopped scammers from setting up bogus websites with fraudulent deals claiming to give you 80-90% off.  Here's how to avoid these JOANN online impersonators. Read more -> https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/05/avoid-online-joann-impersonators-and-their-fake-sales?utm_source=govdelivery

Getting calls from a debt collector? You have rights

Getting calls from a debt collector? You have rights By BCP Staff You get a call out of the blue. The caller insists you owe money and says you'll be arrested if you don't pay immediately. You have no idea what she's talking about. What do you do? Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/05/getting-calls-debt-collector-you-have-rights?utm_source=govdelivery

Getting calls from a debt collector? You have rights

Think that text message is from USPS? It could be a scam

Think that text message is from USPS? It could be a scam By BCP Staff Have you ever gotten a text message about a package coming via the United States Postal Service? Maybe it confirmed your order, said a package is out for delivery, or said there's a problem like unpaid postage, a missed delivery, or you need to update your shipping preferences.  That text message will say to click a link to learn more or fix the problem. But there's a good chance that text message that says it's from USPS (or FedEx…or DHL…) is really from a scammer. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/04/think-text-message-usps-it-could-be-scam?utm_source=govdelivery

How to use parental controls to keep your kid safer online

How to use parental controls to keep your kid safer online By BCP Staff Talking with your kids about your family's rules and expectations is key to helping them establish good online habits. Some parents use parental controls to reinforce those good habits — and create safer online spaces for their kids to learn and play. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/04/how-use-parental-controls-keep-your-kid-safer-online?utm_source=govdelivery

    

How to use parental controls to keep your kid safer online