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Consumer Alert

Don’t pay to get your Employer Identification Number (EIN)

BCP staff
Have you ever paid for something and later found out you could have gotten it for free? It might make you wish someone had told you it was free — before you paid. That’s what a lot of people have reported to the FTC about companies charging them hundreds of dollars to get their Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. But there’s no reason to pay anyone for your EIN. The IRS issues EINs for free.
Buying and Owning a Car
Consumer Alert

Protect yourself (and your money) from scammers this Financial Literacy Month

BCP Staff
All year long, scammers are looking for ways to steal your hard-earned money. FTC data shows people reported losing $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, which is up $2.5 billion from 2023. April is Financial Literacy Month: a great time to check out the free resources at consumer.gov to help manage your money while protecting it from scammers.
Unwanted Calls, Emails, and Texts
Consumer Alert

Parents: Talking to your kids about text scams

BCP Staff
You’re not the only one getting scammy text messages about unpaid toll charges or issues with your Amazon account. Chances are your tweens and teens with phones are getting them, too. Sure, you can tell your kids to delete and never respond to unexpected texts. But if you want them to understand why, the FTC can help you make a game plan.

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