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Consumer Alert

Free COVID test scam targets people on Medicare

Gema de las Heras
Scammers have been targeting Medicare recipients with a fake offer to get “free COVID tests.” They’re calling and running websites, online and television ads to try to convince people to give their
Consumer Alert

Honor LGBTQ+ Elders Day – Pass it on.

Ari Lazarus
Today is National Honor Our LGBTQ+ Elders Day. There are many ways to celebrate this important occasion, but here at the FTC, we’re focusing on helping LGBTQ+ elders avoid frauds and scams — and we
Consumer Alert

Share FTC materials here, there, and everywhere

Bridget Small
Have you wondered how you can help the older adults in your life — your parents, grandparents, and neighbors — avoid fraud? Here’s an easy answer: share. Share what you know about fraud, and share
Consumer Alert

Let’s talk about Coronavirus scams

Emily Wu
During this past year, the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic fallout have reminded us how important it is to help each other through difficult times. In May, as we celebrate Older Americans Month
Consumer Alert

Avoid scams while finding help during quarantine

Lois Greisman, FTC, Elder Justice Coordinator
Older adults may be hard hit by the coronavirus – and scammers prey on that. If you or someone you know must stay at home and needs help with errands, you’ll want to know about this latest scam
Consumer Alert

Grandparent scams in the age of Coronavirus

Lisa Weintraub Schifferle
“Grandma: I’m in the hospital, sick, please wire money right away.” “Grandpa: I’m stuck overseas, please send money.” Grandparent scams can take a new twist – and a new sense of urgency – in these
Consumer Alert

60 and over in the time of COVID-19? Read on.

Jennifer Leach
I know, 60-year-olds. You’re not old. In fact, we’ve found that, when people think “old,” they think of someone about 10 years older than they are right now. But, because we’ve been warned about the
Consumer Alert

Scams and older consumers: Looking at the data

Lesley Fair
The FTC just sent a report to Congress called Protecting Older Consumers 2018-2019. The report suggests steps to take to help protect older consumers from fraud. But the evidence also shows a thing or

Tech Support Scams

Here’s how they work:

You get a call or message from someone who says they’re a computer technician. Or a number appears in a pop-up message on your screen. Or maybe you’re looking for tech support

Consumer Alert

Stopping scams targeting older consumers

Alvaro Puig
The FTC has a long history of protecting people from scams. As part of its ongoing efforts to protect people in every community, the FTC recently took steps to stop two schemes harming older adults: a