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Consumer Alert

Thinking critically about Coronavirus news and information

Jennifer Leach
It's dizzying, the amount of information out there about the Coronavirus. You’re dealing with story after story online and through social media, television, radio, and in newspapers and magazines —
Consumer Alert

Now more than ever, spot the scams with #FTCScamBingo

Jennifer Leach
D uring the Coronavirus outbreak, many people are working from home — and maybe even, for the first time in a long time, answering calls from unfamiliar phone numbers. It might be your colleague’s
Consumer Alert

FTC: Coronavirus scams, Part 2

Colleen Tressler
Last month, we alerted you to Coronavirus scams we were seeing at the time. Earlier this month, we sent warning letters to seven sellers of scam Coronavirus treatments. So far, all of the companies
Consumer Alert

Sprays and pills that cure it all? Not true.

Rosario Méndez
Marketers try to sell us things like sprays and pills that supposedly cure it all, help us lose weight, get rid of wrinkles, and more. But some marketers make claims about their products without
Consumer Alert

Checks from the government

Jennifer Leach
Please visit Coronavirus stimulus payment scams: What you need to know for the most recent information. As the Coronavirus takes a growing toll on people’s pocketbooks, there are reports that the
Consumer Alert

FTC settles pain relief device case for $4 million

Seena Gressin
If you live with chronic and severe pain, over-the-counter devices that promise powerful, drug-free relief can be tempting, even if they’re costly. But, before you invest in products that promise life
Consumer Alert

Supplements for joint pain: don’t believe the hype

Jim Kreidler
If you experience joint pain when you walk or move, promises for a quick and inexpensive cure can be hard to resist. But don’t believe the hype. And don’t assume the people you see in the ads are real
Consumer Alert

‘Tis the season for ‘open enrollment’ scams

Gretchen Abraham
Winter is coming, which means open enrollment season is here. With 2020 just around the corner, now’s the time to add or change your health coverage through Medicare or the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
Consumer Alert

That attorney’s ad might be bad for your health

Colleen Tressler
You see the ads on TV, hear them on the radio, or read them in print and online: attorneys telling you about the dangers of certain prescription drugs. Many of these ads open with “medical alert,”
Consumer Alert

Claims in weight loss ads might be false

Rosario Méndez
Some ads for weight loss products promise miracles. They might say that the product works for everyone or will let you lose weight permanently. Those claims are lies. Dishonest advertisers will tell
Consumer Alert

Ask a health professional before popping that pill

Bridget Small
When I was young, I wanted the shoes that would make me run faster and jump higher. Now, I wish my brain would run a little faster when I can't remember my account passwords. Unfortunately, some shady
Consumer Alert

Going on vacation? Wear contacts? Looky here.

Colleen Tressler
If you’re like some of us here at the Consumer Blog, even though you make a list of things to pack when you go on vacation, you may accidentally leave something behind. Sure, you can buy shampoo, flip
Consumer Alert

Time to order materials for NCPW!

Ari Lazarus
National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2019 is just around the corner. This year, NCPW is March 3 – 9, 2019. That’s just about a month away, so now is the time to jump into planning. During NCPW
Consumer Alert

Contact lens seller turns a blind eye to the law

Colleen Tressler
Cosmetic contacts lenses – also known as costume or decorative contact lenses – can change the way your eye looks without correcting your vision. While they may seem like just another fashion
Consumer Alert

FTC: No support for diabetes treatment claims

Colleen Tressler
People spend billions of dollars a year on health products that are unproven and often useless. Case in point: The FTC has sued the sellers of “Nobetes” about their advertising claims for a pill that
Consumer Alert

Smoking out bogus product claims

Lisa Lake
Quitting smoking and losing weight can be enormously challenging. In the quest to kick the habit or drop the pounds, you might be tempted by products promising miraculous results. But take a breath
Consumer Alert

Cosmetic contact lenses without the Rx: scary!

Colleen Tressler
Halloween is right around the corner. And if you’re looking to top off your costume by wearing cosmetic contact lenses, read on. Cosmetic contacts – also known as costume or decorative contact lenses
Consumer Alert

FTC takes aim at deceptive stem cell therapy claims

Colleen Tressler
People spend billions of dollars each year on health-related products and treatments that don’t deliver. People who buy them are cheated out of their money, their time, and even their health. The FTC
Consumer Alert

Read behind the buzz about mosquito repellents

Lisa Lake
The idea of a perfume-like insect repellent that safeguards against dangerous mosquito-borne illnesses may sound great. But before making a rash decision, take a moment to consider whether the claims
Consumer Alert

FTC: A sound amplifier is not a hearing aid

Colleen Tressler
An estimated 35 million Americans suffer from some degree of hearing loss. If you’re one of them, it’s important to know the difference between a hearing aid and a personal sound amplification product