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Consumer Alert

Let’s talk about scams this Older Americans Month

BCP Staff
Older adults may come from different backgrounds, but one thing they have in common is wisdom gained from life experience. This Older Americans Month, whatever your age, the FTC encourages you to share your wisdom about avoiding scams and fraud with the older adults in your life.
Consumer Alert

Avoid online JOANN impersonators and their fake sales

BCP Staff
You may have heard the news: JOANN Fabric & Craft stores are closing — and holding big clearance sales before they shut their doors. Looking to grab some deals? The real JOANN sales are only happening in person in their physical stores. But that hasn’t stopped scammers from setting up bogus websites with fraudulent deals claiming to give you 80-90% off. Here’s how to avoid these JOANN online impersonators.
Consumer Alert

Getting calls from a debt collector? You have rights

BCP Staff
You get a call out of the blue. The caller insists you owe money and says you’ll be arrested if you don’t pay immediately. You have no idea what she’s talking about. What do you do?
Consumer Alert

Think that text message is from USPS? It could be a scam

BCP Staff
Have you ever gotten a text message about a package coming via the United States Postal Service? Maybe it confirmed your order, said a package is out for delivery, or said there’s a problem like unpaid postage, a missed delivery, or you need to update your shipping preferences. That text message will say to click a link to learn more or fix the problem. But there’s a good chance that text message that says it’s from USPS (or FedEx…or DHL…) is really from a scammer.
Consumer Alert

Is that unexpected text a scam?

BCP Staff
Did you know that people almost always open text messages? In a new Data Spotlight about the big jump in reported fraud losses involving text scams, the FTC notes a study finding open rates can be as high as 98%. Those are really good odds for a scammer. And when scammers get you to respond to their messages, they’re cashing in. Here’s how you can increase your chances of keeping your money safe.
Consumer Alert

Seemingly urgent security messages could lead to tech support scams

BCP Staff
You’re online and get a message or pop-up alerting you to a problem with your computer. The message might even say or suggest it’s from Microsoft, Apple, or Geek Squad. Should you click immediately to see what it’s about? No, and here’s why.
Consumer Alert

Protect yourself (and your money) from scammers this Financial Literacy Month

BCP Staff
All year long, scammers are looking for ways to steal your hard-earned money. FTC data shows people reported losing $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, which is up $2.5 billion from 2023. April is Financial Literacy Month: a great time to check out the free resources at consumer.gov to help manage your money while protecting it from scammers.
Consumer Alert

Parents: Talking to your kids about text scams

BCP Staff
You’re not the only one getting scammy text messages about unpaid toll charges or issues with your Amazon account. Chances are your tweens and teens with phones are getting them, too. Sure, you can tell your kids to delete and never respond to unexpected texts. But if you want them to understand why, the FTC can help you make a game plan.
Consumer Alert

Getting the word out about FTC imposter scams

BCP Staff
Using old tactics and new twists, scammers are impersonating government agencies, including the FTC, to try to steal people’s personal information and money. The FTC is committed to combatting these imposter scams, and there’s encouraging news these efforts are making a difference to American consumers.
Consumer Alert

Asked to pay to claim a million-dollar prize? Don’t bet on it

BCP Staff
Scammers sometimes make you think you’ve hit a stroke of good luck. But if your million-dollar cash prize letter comes with instructions to pay a small fee — maybe for taxes, reporting, or handling — it’s not luck. It’s a scam. If you pay, you’ll lose your money and find out there’s no prize. Can you spot a prize scam?
Consumer Alert

Top scams of 2024

BCP Staff
Did you or someone you know report a scam to the FTC in 2024? Thank you! Those reports help the FTC bring enforcement cases and educate people about scams. Let’s jump into the top 2024 scams.
Consumer Alert

That call or email saying you missed jury duty and need to pay? It’s a scam

BCP Staff
If you’ve been summoned for jury duty, you know there are serious consequences for missing it — like fines, court appointments, or even jail time. Scammers know this too, and they’re calling and emailing to scare you into thinking you’ve missed jury duty and need to pay. It’s a scam. Learn how the scam works so you can avoid it.
Consumer Alert

Scammers impersonate FTC officials, including Chairman Andrew Ferguson

BCP Staff
Scammers lie and pretend to be someone they’re not to trick you into giving them money, access to your accounts, or your personal information. They pretend to be from a business you know or from a government agency — or both. In the latest twist on these constantly evolving schemes, scammers are claiming to be FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson.
Consumer Alert

Scam alert: QR code on an unexpected package

Alvaro Puig
An unexpected package from an unknown sender arrives in your name. You open it and find a note that says it’s a gift, but it doesn't say who sent it. The note also says to scan a QR code to find out who sent it — or to get instructions on how to return it. Did someone really send you a gift? Or is it an attempt to steal your personal information?
Consumer Alert

Got a text about unpaid tolls? It’s probably a scam

Andrew Rayo
Whether you’ve driven through a toll recently or not, you might’ve gotten a text saying you owe money for unpaid tolls. It’s probably a scam. Scammers are pretending to be tolling agencies from coast to coast and sending texts demanding money. Learn how the scam works so you can avoid it.
Consumer Alert

Identity Theft Awareness Week 2025 is coming!

Eunice Kim
Are you interested in learning more about how to protect yourself from identity theft? Check out Identity Theft Awareness Week. During the week, the FTC and its partners will host free webinars and other events to talk about how to spot, avoid, report, and recover from identity theft. Mark your calendars. Identity Theft Awareness Week starts Monday, January 27!
Consumer Alert

Taking the guesswork out of gigs

Gema de las Heras
Say you’re looking for ways to make extra cash and see an ad for a gig doing lawn or handy work, house cleaning, or assembling furniture. What they promise you’ll make per hour sounds good. When you complete the work, you expect to make what you saw advertised, right? But the FTC says that’s not what happened for most people who signed up for gigs on the Handy Technologies platform.
Consumer Alert

Stay ahead of scammers in 2025

Gema de las Heras
With scammers targeting our entire life savings with their schemes, we all need to be alert and know how to detect their latest tricks. Something as simple as talking about scams you know about is a great way to help you and your community stay protected. And being part of this solution doesn’t require training or a lot of time!
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