Scam proof the young people in your life

Scam proof the young people in your life By Jim Kreidler Think the techy young people in your life are too techy to be scammed? Think again. According to data from the FTC, people in their twenties reported losing money to fraud at a higher rate than people in their seventies.  So, if you count yourself an older adult, let's use your accumulated knowledge this Older American's Month. Reach out to the young people in your life to help them better spot and avoid scams.  But where to start? Read more -> https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/05/scam-proof-young-people-your-life

Scam proof the young people in your life

FTC Action Leads to Lifetime Industry Ban for Operators of ‘Extended Vehicle Warranty’ Scam

"As a result of a Federal Trade Commission lawsuit, the operators of a telemarketing scam that called hundreds of thousands of consumers nationwide to pitch them expensive “extended automobile warranties” will face a lifetime ban from the extended automobile warranty industry and from all outbound telemarketing.

Under the terms of proposed court orders, three companies and their owners that were charged by the FTC with running the operation that scammed consumers out of millions of dollars would be permanently banned from participating in the extended automobile warranty market, as well as from any further involvement in outbound telemarketing.

“AVP misled consumers about who they were and what they were selling and called a large number of consumers who were on the FTC’s Do Not Call List,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Today’s order banning five defendants from the industry and imposing a monetary judgment of $6.6 million continues the Commission’s aggressive crackdown on telemarketing fraud.”

Continue reading the FTC press release ->

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/03/ftc-action-leads-lifetime-industry-ban-operators-extended-vehicle-warranty-scam

FTC Action Leads to Lifetime Industry Ban for Operators of ‘Extended Vehicle Warranty’ Scam

Scammers use AI to enhance their family emergency schemes

Scammers use AI to enhance their family emergency schemes By Alvaro Puig You get a call. There's a panicked voice on the line. It's your grandson. He says he's in deep trouble — he wrecked the car and landed in jail. But you can help by sending money.  You take a deep breath and think. You've heard about grandparent scams. But darn, it sounds just like him. How could it be a scam? Voice cloning, that's how. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/03/scammers-use-ai-enhance-their-family-emergency-schemes

Scammers use AI to enhance their family emergency schemes

Crypto investment scammers are targeting your community groups

Crypto investment scammers are targeting your community groups By Cristina Miranda Crypto investment talk is everywhere — even in your local community groups in real life or online. But scammers join these groups, too.  Their mission? Gain the group's trust…and then exploit relationships and trick you into crypto investment scams.  But how do you spot and avoid these scammers? Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/03/crypto-investment-scammers-are-targeting-your-community-groups

Crypto investment scammers are targeting your community groups

During this National Consumer Protection Week, let’s talk about impersonation scams

This NCPW, let's talk about impersonation scams By Samuel Levine, Director, Bureau of Consumer Protection It's National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2023 and it couldn't come at a better time. The FTC's recently released top frauds of 2022 have impersonation scams at #1 again.  So, this NCPW, let's talk with friends, family, and neighbors about spotting and avoiding these impersonation scams. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/03/ncpw-lets-talk-about-impersonation-scams

During this National Consumer Protection Week, let’s talk about impersonation scams

doTERRA distributors charged with making unfounded COVID-19 cure claims

doTERRA distributors charged with making unfounded COVID-19 cure claims By Gema de las Heras Essential oils and supplements to prevent, treat, or cure COVID-19? If it smells fishy to you, the FTC agrees.  According to the FTC, three high-level distributors for Utah-based multi-level marketing company doTERRA International, LLC, broke the law because they didn't have scientific proof to back up their health benefit claims. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/03/doterra-distributors-charged-making-unfounded-covid-19-cure-claims

doTERRA distributors charged with making unfounded COVID-19 cure claims

National Consumer Protection Week 2023 Begins Sunday, March 5

National Consumer Protection Week 2023 Begins Sunday, March 5 The Federal Trade Commission and its partners, including consumer organizations, national advocacy organizations, and other federal, state, and local government agencies will participate in virtual and in-person events to promote consumers' rights and protections against fraud, scams, and identity theft. View Press Release -> https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/03/national-consumer-protection-week-2023-begins-sunday-march-5 More news from the FTC

You're Invited: Reaching Older Adults About Scams: Pass It On - Free Webinar - Thursday, Feb 2 at 11 AM EST

If you work with older adults, or if you are (or know someone) 65+, join this free, 30-minute webinar to learn how you can share a lifetime of experience and protect others from scams. The FTC will discuss its updated Pass It On materials, which give older adults a way to share what they know about everything from business impersonators to romance scams and identity theft. We'll share the updated website, discuss how you can get free materials for your group presentations, share ready-made presentations for each topic, and talk and hear about ideas for getting the word out in your community. This webinar is open to everyone, with a focus on libraries and community-based organizations. To join the webinar TOMORROW at 11:00 am EST: URL: https://ftc.zoomgov.com/j/1610006275?pwd=ekJyQUdYcmI4Z2xqMS9QUUE1VXgwZz09 Webinar ID: 161 000 6275 Passcode: 0rY$JZ By phone: (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): +1 646 828 7666 US (New York); +1 669 216 1590 US (San Jose); +1 551 285 1373 US; 833 568 8864 US Toll-free Can't make tomorrow's webinar? We'll be offering other sessions throughout February and early March (see list below.)  Webinars in English February 2, 11 am EST February 8, 3 pm EST — Focus on aging service and community-based organizations February 15, 3 pm EST — Focus on law enforcement February 22, 3 pm EST March 1, 3 pm EST Webinars in Spanish February 15, 1 pm EST February 23, 2 pm EST March 1, 2 pm EST Thank You, FTC's Division of Consumer and Business Education

Wireless Customers Who Were Subject to Data Throttling by AT&T Can Apply for a Payment from the FTC

Wireless Customers Who Were Subject to Data Throttling by AT&T Can Apply for a Payment from the FTC Those who had unlimited data plans with AT&T between 2011-2015 may be eligible The Federal Trade Commission opened a claims process for former AT&T customers who have yet to claim a refund stemming from the FTC's lawsuit against the company for misleading consumers about its unlimited data plans. View Press Release More news from the FTC

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

What proposed FTC updates to the Eyeglass Rule mean for you (video)

What proposed FTC updates to the Eyeglass Rule mean for you By Colleen Tressler, FTC, Division of Consumer and Business Education The FTC enforces the Eyeglass Rule, which gives you the right to get your eyeglass prescription — whether you ask for it or not — and at no extra charge once your eye exam has been completed.  Having a copy of your prescription lets you shop around and get the best deal. But based on public comments and consumer reports we've gotten, it's clear that some eye doctors aren't following the Rule. Read more -> https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/12/what-proposed-ftc-updates-eyeglass-rule-mean-you

Video link -> https://youtu.be/S_iJJHaQpVk

’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

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

FTC to Explore Rulemaking to Combat Fake Reviews and Other Deceptive Endorsements

FTC to Explore Rulemaking to Combat Fake Reviews and Other Deceptive Endorsements Agency seeks comments on the harms and pervasiveness of fake and paid reviews, and other deceptive endorsement tactics The Federal Trade Commission announced today it is exploring a potential rule to combat deceptive or unfair review and endorsement practices, such as using fake reviews, suppressing negative reviews, and paying for positive reviews. View Press Release More news from the FTC

FTC to Explore Rulemaking to Combat Fake Reviews and Other Deceptive Endorsements

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

Five things to do to protect yourself online

Five things to do to protect yourself online Your online accounts, computer, and phone hold a lot of your personal, financial, and health information. Information that's valuable to you — and to scammers who try to steal it.  Here are five things to do to keep hackers out of your accounts and your personal business. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/10/five-things-do-protect-yourself-online