MilConsumer Blog Feed

Expecting packages shipped to your home this holiday season? You’re not the only one… scammers are, too. Did you get a text message with a shipment tracking code and a link to update your delivery preferences? It's a scam. Learn more. We’ve learned of a phony “delivery failure notification” email making the rounds. It looks like it’s from the U.S. Postal Service — but it’s not. The email says you missed a delivery. But, it says, if you print the...

Selling your used stuff online has become commonplace. So have scams taking advantage of the good names of reputable online companies. At the FTC, we’ve heard from people stung by scammers spoofing PayPal. The scam generally goes like this: You post a high-value item, like a used car, for sale online. In no time at all, you get an email from a buyer willing to pay full price — or more! But he sets conditions; he is only willing to pay by PayPal...

Lots of people feel the urge to cuddle and care for a puppy – especially one that doesn’t have a home and needs all the TLC an animal lover can give. But if you see an online ad for a dog, or any pet, be warned: that pooch’s pic may just be a trick to steal your money. Scam artists have bilked animal lovers by posting ads with pictures of puppies and other pets. The ads often include a compelling story about why the puppy is available, and...

Looking for a way to get your high school diploma or a college degree online? You’ll want to read this. Today, the FTC announced a case against several companies that sold fake high school diplomas online. The companies claimed you could become a high school graduate and earn an “official” diploma by paying $200 to $300 in fees and taking their online multiple-choice test. They also promised you could use these online diplomas the same way you...

La FTC y agencias estatales de protección del consumidor han clausurado las operaciones de revendedores de unidades de tiempo compartido deshonestos por estafar a los consumidores por millones de dólares. Si estás vendiendo una propiedad de tiempo compartido, escucha con atención si te prometen obtener rápidamente mucho dinero y te piden un pedido de un pago adelantado. Estos son dos indicios clave de una estafa de reventa de unidades de tiempo...

The FTC and state consumer protection agencies have shut down dishonest timeshare resellers for bilking timeshare owners out of millions of dollars. If you’re selling a timeshare, listen carefully for the promise of lots of money quickly and a request for an upfront fee. Those are two key signs of timeshare resale scam — and someone you don’t want to do business with. In one recent case, Vacation Property Services claimed to represent big-name...

Here’s a tip that’s worth repeating: Don’t click on a link in a text message you get on your phone that says you’ve won a terrific prize or a gift card. Don’t reply either. It’s probably a scam. The Federal Trade Commission settled charges with a group of marketers that were part of a scheme that sent millions of unsolicited spam text messages promoting supposedly free merchandise like $1,000 gift cards for Wal-Mart and Best Buy. People who...