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Free means free, right? If you’re TurboTax, not always, according to a new ruling from the Federal Trade Commission. And not for everybody, or even most people— even if an ad says “100% free.”

Got an email or text message about a tax refund? It’s a scam

Identity Theft Awareness Week is a great time to learn how to spot, avoid, and report identity theft. Chances are, you know someone who has experienced identity theft. That’s when someone uses your personal or financial information without your permission to commit fraud. It can happen to anyone, in any community. So how do you get help in your language?

Many impersonation schemes start with a call about a routine problem, like suspicious activity in your Amazon account. But in a new twist, the story quickly takes a more serious turn when you’re told someone is using your information to commit crimes and all your money is at risk.

FloatMe ads promised cash advances of up to $50 and offered instant deposits of “free money” after you downloaded the app and subscribed to a monthly plan. What didn’t the ads say? That FloatMe would illegally turn people down when they asked for money and charge customers subscription fees without their consent. That’s deceptive, according to the FTC’s lawsuit against FloatMe and its cofounders.

Scammers speak your language. Whether you speak a language from Arabic to Vietnamese, or the language of college students or veterans to older adults — scammers know it fluently. With National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) right around the corner (March 3-9, 2024), it’s a great time to help people in your community speak up and speak out in your language. And the FTC is here to help you do just that and start planning your NCPW celebration.

The Department of Justice and the Navy will never ask you to pay to file a disability claim. Want to know who will? Scammers. Keep scammers away from your personal information — and your money — while you’re applying for relief.