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Consumer Alert

Spear phishing scammers want more from you

Lisa Lake
“I’m calling from [pick any bank]. Someone’s been using your debit card ending in 2345 at [pick any retailer]. I’ll need to verify your Social Security number — which ends in 8190, right? — and full
Consumer Alert

Don’t get swamped buying a flood-damaged car

Colleen Tressler
In the wake of the recent hurricanes, used car buyers should use caution: Storm-damaged vehicles are sometimes cleaned up and taken out of state for sale. You might not know a vehicle is damaged until
Consumer Alert

Will background check errors deny you a home?

Lisa Lake
A background check can determine if you can get credit, a job, or even a place to live. That’s why the law requires businesses that provide these reports have reasonable procedures to ensure the
Consumer Alert

Hang up on spoofed SSA calls

Lisa Weintraub Schifferle
If you get a call that looks like it’s from the Social Security Administration (SSA), think twice. Scammers are spoofing SSA’s 1-800 customer service number to try to get your personal information
Consumer Alert

Cybersecurity Resources for Non-Profits

Rosario Méndez
Do you work for a charity or other non-profit? If so, you know that your organization collects all sorts of private information, including details about people you serve and financial information
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

Scams against older adults: reporting to Congress

Lois Greisman
You might have read media stories about older people losing lots of money to scams. It does happen – and FTC data show that when people over 80 report losing money, the amount they lose is a lot
Consumer Alert

Spread the word about charity fraud

Rosario Méndez
This week, the FTC, the National Association of State Charities Officials (NASCO), and state charity regulators are joining forces with regulators from across the world to participate in the first
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

Steering clear of vehicle history report scams

Colleen Tressler
The FTC has been hearing about a new scam targeting people who are selling their cars online. They’re getting calls or texts from people who claim to be interested in buying the car – but first want
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

New materials on cybersecurity for small business

Rosario Méndez
If you own a small business, you know it’s critical to protect your business from cyber threats. Today, the FTC launched new cybersecurity resources for small businesses – you’ll find them at FTC.gov
Consumer Alert

Scams near you, by the numbers

Paul Witt
Every day, people across the country are telling the FTC what happened to them. Maybe they lost money to a scam, lost their identity, or just spotted something that looked fishy and wanted somebody to
Consumer Alert

FTC sues car dealerships for fake recall notices

Seena Gressin
A recall notice for your car or truck signals a serious safety defect that you should try to get fixed quickly. According to an FTC lawsuit, a group of auto dealerships counted on people doing just
Consumer Alert

It’s National Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Ari Lazarus
October is spooky enough with its ghouls and goblins. National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is here to remind us how to stay safe and secure from real (and maybe even scarier) threats – malware and
Consumer Alert

New Credit Law FAQs

Lisa Weintraub Schifferle
You’ve heard about the new law that makes credit freezes free and fraud alerts last one year. If you have questions, you’re not alone. Here are answers to some of the questions we’re hearing most. Q
Consumer Alert

Anti-scammy Sammy

Lesley Fair
There’s former Van Halen front man Sammy Hagar, NFL legend Slingin’ Sammy Baugh, and the incomparable Sammy Davis, Jr. All notable in their own right, but did they win back $586 million for defrauded
Consumer Alert

Root, root, root for the regions

Andrew Smith
This year eight major league baseball teams are celebrating milestone anniversaries – and so are the FTC’s regional offices. In 1918, the Commission opened the first three of its regional offices
Consumer Alert

Picking up the pieces after a hurricane

Colleen Tressler
Dealing with the aftermath of a hurricane can be overwhelming, but taking stock and developing a recovery plan can give you a sense of hope and purpose. Here are a few tips and links to resources to
Consumer Alert

Wise giving after a hurricane

Colleen Tressler
The 2018 hurricane season is upon us. If you haven’t made storm preparations, now is the time. The FTC has information to help you prepare for, deal with, and recover from the long-term impacts of a