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Consumer Alert

Is it really the IRS?

Kira Krown
The “IRS” is on the phone. They’re saying you owe back taxes and need to pay immediately using cryptocurrency, or you’ll be arrested. You reach for your wallet but then think — WAIT — is this really the IRS? Or is it someone impersonating the IRS?
Consumer Alert

Avoid scammers trying to profit from a deadly tornado

Gema de las Heras
Every time there’s a natural disaster — like the tornado that tore through Mississippi and neighboring states — scammers are quick to follow. How do they exploit tragedy to steal from people who have lost everything? Read on to learn how to avoid these scams.
Consumer Alert

Far from “full vehicle” protection

Kira Krown
When it comes to telemarketing and extended auto warranties, what you’re promised on the phone…may not be what you get. Today, the FTC announced a settlement in its case against American Vehicle Protection — who it charged last year with running a telemarketing extended auto warranty scheme that cheated people out of more than $6 million.
Consumer Alert

Scammers use AI to enhance their family emergency schemes

Alvaro Puig
You get a call. There's a panicked voice on the line. It's your grandson. He says he's in deep trouble — he wrecked the car and landed in jail. But you can help by sending money. You take a deep breath and think. You've heard about grandparent scams. But darn, it sounds just like him. How could it be a scam? Voice cloning, that's how.
Consumer Alert

Consumer issues affecting American Indian and Alaska Native communities

Kira Krown
Scammers and dishonest businesses can target people in unique ways, so it’s important to understand how communities are affected — and at times, differently affected — by consumer protection issues. A new FTC report focuses on the agency's recent efforts to identify frauds, scams, and bad business practices that impact American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities.
Consumer Alert

No — HHS didn’t reach out about free grant money

Kira Krown
Did you get a message from a friend on social media about a US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grant opportunity? Or from someone saying they were an HHS employee? Well…they weren’t who they said they were. They were a scammer.
Consumer Alert

What to know about the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey

Gema de las Heras
Getting a call, letter, or a visit about the American Community Survey (ACS) — when so many scammers are trying to trick you into sharing personal information — might make you think twice. And it’s good to think twice. But the ACS is a legitimate survey to collect information used to make decisions about how federal funding is spent in your community. Want to know more? Read on.
Consumer Alert

doTERRA distributors charged with making unfounded COVID-19 cure claims

Gema de las Heras
Essential oils and supplements to prevent, treat, or cure COVID-19? If it smells fishy to you, the FTC agrees. According to the FTC, three high-level distributors for Utah-based multi-level marketing company doTERRA International, LLC, broke the law because they didn’t have scientific proof to back up their health benefit claims.