Consumer Advice

Take action

The Latest in Consumer Advice

Articles

Identity Theft and Online Security

Article

Youville

April 7, 2025

Youville is a free, downloadable, standards-based, in-class educational program. It’s designed to help kids ages 8-12 develop and apply analytical skills through a series of fun and challenging activities.

Identity Theft and Online Security

Article

Kids and Video Games

January 16, 2025

Chances are the kids in your life play, or want to play, video games, including games in immersive spaces like virtual or augmented reality. Game ratings and reviews, parental controls, and other tools are available to help you learn more and talk about video games with the kids in your life.

Credit, Loans, and Debt

Article

Comparing Credit, Charge, Secured Credit, Debit, or Prepaid Cards

January 2, 2025

Different types of payment cards work in different ways. When you’re deciding which kind of card is right for you, consider how each card works, what fees you might have to pay, and what legal protections each type of card offers.

Consumer Alerts

Unwanted Calls

Consumer Alert

Discounted phone, TV, or internet services if you pay with a gift card? No, it’s a scam

BCP Staff

April 28, 2025

Have you gotten a robocall about a discount on phone, TV, or internet services? Scammers are pretending to be businesses and making robocalls about “discounted services” if you pay with a gift card. It’s a scam. Here’s how the scam works so you can avoid it.

Unwanted Calls, Emails, and Texts

Consumer Alert

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

BCP Staff

April 23, 2025

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.

Identity Theft and Online Security

Consumer Alert

How to use parental controls to keep your kid safer online

BCP Staff

April 22, 2025

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.