Consumer Alerts

Planning to pay a bill online? Before you start searching for a company’s payment site, know that dishonest companies sometimes use paid search ads to trick you into paying them instead of the company

If you owe back taxes, there are ways to get real help. But dishonest companies will promise to get rid of your debt for “pennies on the dollar,” before even looking into your tax situation. They’ll

You’re browsing your social media feed when an ad grabs your attention mid-swipe: that designer bag you’ve been dreaming of is 50% off for a limited time only! You’re dying to get your hands on one

Learn to trade online! Get rich! Quit your job! Social media is flooded with people flashing fancy cars and exotic trips, claiming you can have the same lifestyle just by “learning to trade.” But they

Getting ready for college or back-to-school is a good time to talk with your teens about financial wellness. To help guide the conversation, the FTC has free tools on managing money, building credit

These last days of summer can present opportunities to spend more time with your kids. If you’re talking with your 8-12 year-olds about making good decisions while they’re online, the FTC has a free

They’re the worst of the absolute worst: scams that target people who have already lost money to a scam. If you or someone you know paid a scammer, here’s what to know to avoid scammers who pretend to

One of the best ways to fight fraud is to talk about it. When you know scammers’ tactics, they’re easier to spot and avoid. The FTC has some facts about fraud to help you start the conversation

Scammers know that applying for veterans benefits is at the top of the to-do list when you’re getting ready to leave the military. That’s why they pretend to be with the Department of Veterans Affairs

Let’s say someone contacts you unexpectedly and says you have to pay to fix a problem, get a prize, or something else. But then they say the only way to pay is by bank transfer, wire transfer

If you’re searching online for a substance use disorder clinic, the last thing you need is a scam. Unfortunately, some dishonest businesses have used paid search results to trick people into

As a veteran, you’ve worked hard to protect our country. And if you’re a veteran-run small business, you know how important it is to have protections against scammers and cybercriminals. Your best

Looking for health insurance? Sometimes shady companies will try to make you think you’re buying health insurance when it’s really a medical discount plan. Watch this video to find out what to know to

Whether you’ve been planning a move for months or you’re dealing with last-minute orders, military moves can be both exciting and stressful. The last thing you need is a rental scam to raise that

We’ve written about this scam before, but like a bad sequel, it’s back. People are telling the FTC they’ve gotten letters in the mail from law firms about unclaimed life insurance money. Have you

Scammers promise to solve your debt problems to trick you into paying them instead of your actual lender. If a caller offers to help you enroll in a special “military debt forgiveness” program, pause

At the FTC, we know talking about scams helps people avoid them. Military Consumer Month is a great time to talk about ways scammers target the military community to steal their money, benefits, and

Scammers have been taking advantage of how much people love animals. They’ll steal and manipulate pet images, videos, and even use AI-generated deepfakes to help them trick you into giving them your

As summer approaches, your kids might be looking for downtime (and screen time). To keep them safe while they’re spending time online, start with a conversation about your family’s rules and

Summer is here! If you haven't made your vacation plans yet, you might be looking for a deal. While you look for bargains, scammers are looking for ways to reach you…and your money. Here are some