Consumer Alerts

If you don’t know what a loot box is, just ask any kid in your life to explain it. While you’re at it, ask them about the video game Genshin Impact. Then tell them about why the FTC just sued the game

Whether you’ve driven through a toll recently or not, you might’ve gotten a text saying you owe money for unpaid tolls. It’s probably a scam. Scammers are pretending to be tolling agencies from coast

On Monday I leave the FTC after eight wonderful years, most recently leading the Bureau of Consumer Protection. I cannot imagine more fulfilling work. Consumer protection has been my passion since law

Have you ever joined a multi-level marketing program (MLM) where you sold products to consumers? Or recruited others to do the same? Maybe someone’s pitched you money-making opportunities like

When, over many years, an agency finds itself repeatedly turning to the same person — to share ideas, to find out what’s going on in the community, to make connections — it seems overdue to give that

Are you interested in learning more about how to protect yourself from identity theft? Check out Identity Theft Awareness Week. During the week, the FTC and its partners will host free webinars and

Say you’re looking for ways to make extra cash and see an ad for a gig doing lawn or handy work, house cleaning, or assembling furniture. What they promise you’ll make per hour sounds good. When you

What could be better than opening the mailbox or the front door and finding an unexpected package? Free gifts might seem like fun — but when an unexpected package lands on your doorstep, it may come

If you’re thinking about upgrading your phone, here are four easy steps to remove your personal information from your phone before you trade it in.

With scammers targeting our entire life savings with their schemes, we all need to be alert and know how to detect their latest tricks. Something as simple as talking about scams you know about is a

Scammers are impersonating attorneys and law firms, offering immigration services on social media. The posts on Facebook and other platforms might be in English or your preferred language. If you

You’re probably getting emails, texts, and calls asking for end-of-year donations. It’s the season of giving, after all. Scammers know this is a popular time to donate, so they’re out there, too

For many, December means spending lots of money on presents, food, travel, and other things to get you through the end of the year. And after we stretch our wallets, January’s often for taking stock

Doing some holiday shopping? Here’s a type of gift card scam to look out for: scammers can get the gift card number and PIN before you buy the card. So if gift cards are on your holiday shopping list

During the holidays, adding a dog, cat, or other adorable animal to the family is top of mind for many, and scammers know it. While there are lots of fur babies waiting for their forever home

Did someone reach out and offer free, in-home perks like cooking and cleaning in exchange for your Medicare number? Don’t give it. That could be a scammer trying to commit hospice fraud.

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

Scammers love a good disguise. One day they show up texting you about a delivery you missed, the next they say you need to sort an issue with your Netflix account. Here’s how to avoid these phishing

During open season for the Health Insurance Marketplace, you might have seen an increase — maybe a flood — of ads for health plans. The ads might promise comprehensive health insurance…but the plan

The FTC is sending out over 600,000 payments worth $72 million to Fortnite gamers charged for unwanted items.