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Have you been getting unexpected messages about online work? The FTC’s new Data Spotlight highlights a big increase in the number of people reporting gamified job scams, or “task scams.” Read on to learn what they are and how to avoid them.

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.

When you decide your kid is ready for a cell phone, here are some tools to help you think about setting limits, keeping them safe, and teaching them how to use their phones responsibly.

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.