Skip to main content
Consumer Alert

How to use parental controls to keep your kid safer online

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.
Consumer Alert

Is that unexpected text a scam?

BCP Staff
Did you know that people almost always open text messages? In a new Data Spotlight about the big jump in reported fraud losses involving text scams, the FTC notes a study finding open rates can be as high as 98%. Those are really good odds for a scammer. And when scammers get you to respond to their messages, they’re cashing in. Here’s how you can increase your chances of keeping your money safe.
Consumer Alert

Seemingly urgent security messages could lead to tech support scams

BCP Staff
You’re online and get a message or pop-up alerting you to a problem with your computer. The message might even say or suggest it’s from Microsoft, Apple, or Geek Squad. Should you click immediately to see what it’s about? No, and here’s why.
Consumer Alert

What to know about kids and video games, ads, and unexpected payments

BCP Staff
Kids and video games often go together like peanut butter and jelly. Here’s something else that goes along with some video games: Ads competing for your kid’s attention at every stage of their video game-playing experience — while they look for video games on the app store, while they select and download games, and during gameplay. Learn how to deal with ads that encourage kids to spend money — sometimes without your knowledge or approval.
Consumer Alert

Recovering after weather emergencies from the South to the Great Lakes

BCP Staff
Recovering from the storms that brought deadly tornados and severe flooding from the South to the Midwest will take time and patience. If you’ve been displaced by a weather emergency, or your home or business was damaged, you’re probably trying to figure out what to do next. Here are some ideas to help you get started.
Consumer Alert

Help the FTC fight impersonation scams

BCP Staff
April marks the one-year anniversary of the FTC’s Impersonation Rule. Here’s how impersonation scams can hurt people, and what the FTC is doing to fight back.
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.
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.