Consumer Alerts

Did you get a text with a picture of what looks like an official notice of a traffic hearing? You’re not alone. The FTC has seen a spike in reports about this text scam in the last month. It’s just

If you’re signed up for a rewards program, you may have gotten texts warning that your points are expiring soon. A message like that may catch your attention, but people are reporting to the FTC that

Life happens and sometimes you end up with trouble paying your mortgage. Maybe you were affected by a natural disaster, lost your job, or got stuck with a bunch of medical bills after an illness. Then

Did you get a call or text saying you’re eligible for thousands of dollars in unclaimed property? Don’t get excited yet. It might be a scammer looking to steal your money or personal information. Here

If you’re dealing with a lot of debt, you might be looking for help. Some companies offer a range of free and paid services, like budget counseling and debt management classes. But others are dishonest

With global attention focused on the conflict in Iran, it’s no surprise scammers have already added that situation to their story lines. Some recent reports to the FTC about imposter, romance, and

Many of us use or work with rental housing in some way. Maybe you have been — or are currently — a renter. Or maybe you own a rental property, operate a property management company, or otherwise work

If you’re thinking about opening a franchise, you’re probably looking for things like name recognition, training, and support to help you grow your business. What you’re probably not looking for is

Excitement is reaching a fever pitch as the United States, Mexico, and Canada get ready to welcome thousands of fans for one of the most-watched sporting events on the planet — the FIFA World Cup

In July 2024, the company behind NGL, an anonymous messaging app, agreed to pay $4.5 million to settle charges that the company deceived its customers. The FTC urges affected NGL customers to apply

It’s that time of year when people start planning their spring and summer travels. If you have someone visiting you from another country (and they qualify for a visa waiver), they’ll need to complete

If you get a call saying “you’ve won a prize,” you might be thinking, why not claim it? Unfortunately, it’s likely a scam to steal your money — especially if it’s for a contest you didn’t enter. So

Scammers make up all kinds of bogus stories to steal your personal information, or your money. Some go negative and make up a problem that doesn’t really exist. Others try a positive spin and say you

It’s National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026. Welcome! Today kicks off the 28th year of the FTC joining with partner organizations to amplify the importance of consumer protection. This week

If you’re thinking about taking on gig work — driving, fixing, delivering, or tasking — you’re probably thinking about pay. But what if a company promises they’ll pay you a certain amount and then

As the holiday season becomes an ever more distant memory, the holiday bills might not be. If you’re looking to pick up a side gig to make extra cash, pay down debt, or catch up on some bills, know

It’s almost time for National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026. Are you ready? We hope you’ll join in celebrating the Week! Find events — like a webinar on emerging scams, a roundtable discussion

Unemployment benefits can be a life saver if you’re between jobs. But what happens if a scammer misuses your personal information, like your Social Security number (SSN) to file a fraudulent

Met someone new online…but you still haven’t met in person? With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it’s a great time to make sure you know how to recognize a romance scam. Romance scams can

If a debt collector calls, do you know what to do? You have rights. Debt collectors can’t harass, lie, or treat you unfairly — even if you owe the debt. Before you pay, confirm a debt is actually