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Consumer Alert

How to steer clear of a flood-damaged car

Colleen Tressler
Shopping for a car? With new car prices averaging more than $48,000, you may be thinking about buying used. But in the wake of disasters like Hurricane Ian, tread lightly: after a hurricane or flood
Consumer Alert

Stimulus payments for people, not nursing homes

Lois C. Greisman
If you, or someone you care about, lives in an assisted living facility or nursing home, read on. Because the bill funding the second round of Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) has now been signed into
Consumer Alert

Get ready for NCPW 2021!

Ari Lazarus
March is right around the corner, and you know what that means…it’s almost time for National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW)! This year, NCPW is February 28 – March 6, 2021. So now’s the time to jump
Consumer Alert

Scammers cash in on COVID-19 vaccination confusion

Colleen Tressler
With every passing day, the news on COVID-19 vaccine distribution seems to change. One reason is that distribution varies by state and territory. And scammers, always at the ready, are taking
Consumer Alert

How to avoid COVID-19 government imposter scams

Lois Greisman, Associate Director, Division of Marketing Practices, FTC
Many of us are paying close attention to the guidance from federal, state, and local governments during this COVID-19 health emergency. Unfortunately, scammers are also paying attention. Some are even
Consumer Alert

FTC asking for access to your computer? It’s a scam.

Andrew Johnson
Scammers pretending to be with the FTC or with FTC refund administrators are calling, asking for remote access to your computer. It’s been reported that the scammers are calling specifically about the
Consumer Alert

Scammers impersonate the Chinese Consulate

Patti Poss
Have you gotten a call from someone saying they’re from a Chinese Consulate office? If so, you’re not alone – based on reports to the FTC and the real Chinese Consulates. But here’s the thing: it’s
Consumer Alert

No prizes from the FTC

Todd Kossow
Recently, someone showed up at the door of the FTC to ask about his prize. He had a mailing saying he’d won $5 million – and the FTC had “certified and verified” it. The letter told him to act
Consumer Alert

The IRS won’t call about your stimulus money

Lisa Lake
Most people have already gotten their economic stimulus payments, but the Internal Revenue Service is still sending them out. If you haven’t gotten yours yet or have questions about it, the IRS has a
Consumer Alert

Celebrate Disability Pride, avoid scams

Terri Miller
July is Disability Pride Month — a time to celebrate the proud identities, contributions, and culture of 40.8 million people with disabilities in the U.S. It’s when we recognize how the Americans with
Consumer Alert

On the first day of consumer protection…

Jim Kreidler
Welcome to the FTC’s 12 Days of Consumer Protection, a holiday series to help you save money and avoid scams. Each day, we’ll cover a new topic — from shopping online and bogus shipping notifications
Consumer Alert

Holiday ‘grift’ exchange?

Carol Kando-Pineda
It’s the 4th day of Consumer Protection and ’tis the season of…gift cards. Even in Santa’s workshop, it’s one of the most popular ways to give to family and friends for the holidays. But gift cards
Consumer Alert

Fa-la-la-la fake

Carol Kando-Pineda
On the 5 th day of Consumer Protection, you get an email or text message that’s supposedly from UPS or FedEx, complete with one of their logos — and it seems legit. It says your item is ready to ship
Consumer Alert

Avoid a season of mis-giving

Jennifer Leach
It’s the 6th day of Consumer Protection, and maybe you’re in a giving spirit. ‘Tis the season, right? If you like to donate to charities at the end of the year, ‘tis also time to make sure your
Consumer Alert

Baby, I stole outside

Jim Kreidler
You’ve finished your online shopping, your gifts have shipped and you’re waiting for them to arrive – but some Grinch decides to ruin your holiday. On this 9th day of Consumer Protection, we’re
Consumer Alert

Santa doesn’t need your Social Security number

Jim Kreidler
This year, during the pandemic, your holidays might be moving a bit online. On the 10 th day of Consumer Protection, maybe you’re planning to send e-cards to family and friends. Or maybe your kids are
Consumer Alert

All I want for Christmas…is what I ordered

Carol Kando-Pineda
You’ve probably spent a good part of 2020 doing some online shopping. Now that the holidays are here, you definitely want to be sure you — or your friends and family — actually get what you ordered
Consumer Alert

And a smart fridge in a pear tree

Jennifer Leach
On this 12 th and final day of consumer protection — just of this series, you understand, not ever — here are a few reminders as you head toward whatever holiday you celebrate (or don’t) this December