November 2024

There’s no shortage of good causes to donate to this holiday season. But before you give somewhere new, make sure you’re not donating to a scam.

Smart devices are everywhere. Devices track our health and fitness, control our lights and thermostats, and keep an eye on our homes and pets. We pay a premium for the smart features and functionality of these products. But what happens if the manufacturer stops updating the software that makes them “smart”?

As the holiday season approaches, it seems like there are more and more fake shopping sites. The ads on social media show expensive products like electric scooters, designer bags, and other popular toys and gifts at unbelievably low prices. Many of these bogus sites use photos and logos the scammers steal from legitimate businesses, but they won’t send you authentic products. If you’re wondering how to avoid these phony offers, there are a few ways to help you detect them.

Maybe you're pre-planning a funeral for yourself or a loved one and decide to get some pricing information by calling a few funeral providers. Or you need to make urgent arrangements for a loved one who passed away in another state. When you’re making funeral arrangements, you have a right to get funeral pricing information over the phone.

If you’re a servicemember who signed up for an in-store financing plan through Harris Jewelry and paid for an add-on protection plan, listen up. The court reopened the Harris claims process. If you haven’t already applied for a refund or haven’t heard back from Harris yet, now’s the time to apply. Bottom line: Don’t wait.

Looking to make changes to your Medicare coverage? Now’s the time: Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period started October 15 and goes until December 7. But as you compare your coverage options, keep an eye out for scammers — they know about Open Enrollment, too.

If the young people in your life spend lots of time online — watching videos, playing games and texting friends — do they have the skills to question and evaluate what they find there? The FTC’s new educational materials and classroom-based tools could help. Whether you’re an educator, parent, or youth group leader, head over to Youville and start exploring.

Despite the best of intentions and careful planning, you may find yourself facing a financial challenge when you least expect it. A furlough, layoff, illness, or emergency can crop up suddenly. Life can be full of surprises for veterans and military families, so, when faced with unexpected expenses or loss of income, what can you do to keep yourself afloat and your finances on track?

Every November, people put out social media posts to honor family and friends who’ve served in the military. But did you know that servicemembers and veterans reported losing more than $350 million to fraud last year? Chances are, fraud has happened to someone you know. This year, make sure your Veterans Day tribute includes ways to help veterans, servicemembers, and military families spot scammers.

Looking to get or switch your Marketplace health insurance during open enrollment (November 1, 2024 – January 15, 2025)? Don’t click on ads that say they offer free things like phones or cash cards for gas, groceries, or bills to those who enroll in a health insurance plan. They’re probably scams. Instead, use the official Health Insurance Marketplace to find plans you qualify for, get help signing up, or enroll in the plan you choose directly.

Mortgage interest rates may be on the way down, but scammers’ false promises are likely on the way up. If you’re looking to lower your mortgage payment — by refinancing your home or VA loan — learn about your options and how to avoid mortgage relief scams.