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Consumer Alert

Avoid scammers trying to profit from a deadly tornado

Gema de las Heras
Every time there’s a natural disaster — like the tornado that tore through Mississippi and neighboring states — scammers are quick to follow. How do they exploit tragedy to steal from people who have lost everything? Read on to learn how to avoid these scams.
Consumer Alert

Scammers use AI to enhance their family emergency schemes

Alvaro Puig
You get a call. There's a panicked voice on the line. It's your grandson. He says he's in deep trouble — he wrecked the car and landed in jail. But you can help by sending money. You take a deep breath and think. You've heard about grandparent scams. But darn, it sounds just like him. How could it be a scam? Voice cloning, that's how.
Article

Job Scams

Scammers advertise jobs the same way honest employers do — online (in ads, on job sites, and social media), in newspapers, and sometimes on TV and radio. They promise you a job, but what they want is your money and your personal information. Here are some examples of jobs scams and advice on how to avoid them.
Consumer Alert

No — HHS didn’t reach out about free grant money

Kira Krown
Did you get a message from a friend on social media about a US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grant opportunity? Or from someone saying they were an HHS employee? Well…they weren’t who they said they were. They were a scammer.
Consumer Alert

What to know about the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey

Gema de las Heras
Getting a call, letter, or a visit about the American Community Survey (ACS) — when so many scammers are trying to trick you into sharing personal information — might make you think twice. And it’s good to think twice. But the ACS is a legitimate survey to collect information used to make decisions about how federal funding is spent in your community. Want to know more? Read on.
Consumer Alert

doTERRA distributors charged with making unfounded COVID-19 cure claims

Gema de las Heras
Essential oils and supplements to prevent, treat, or cure COVID-19? If it smells fishy to you, the FTC agrees. According to the FTC, three high-level distributors for Utah-based multi-level marketing company doTERRA International, LLC, broke the law because they didn’t have scientific proof to back up their health benefit claims.
Consumer Alert

The top scams of 2022

Andrew Rayo

What are scammers up to these days? Every day, people just like you tell the FTC what they’ve spotted, and maybe even lost money to.

Article

Paying for School and Avoiding Scams

Paying for school can be expensive. Many people need to take out loans to cover the cost, but dealing with the debt and repayment options can be confusing.

Article

Debts and Deceased Relatives

Here’s what to know about the rules and your rights when a collector contacts you about a deceased relative’s debts.
Consumer Alert

FTC to voice service provider: give the robocalls a rest

Andrew Rayo
Tired of getting endless robocalls? We are too. Robocalls aren’t just a pain to get, they’re often pushing scams for things like fake auto warranties and debt relief. But scammy robocallers can’t do it alone. That’s why the FTC is taking action against Stratics Networks, a company that supplied the technology for telemarketers to make tens of millions of robocalls. But that’s not all — the FTC is also suing the debt relief companies that hired Stratics to make robocalls for their illegal debt relief services.
Consumer Alert

Will the FTC call or write you? Will they demand money?

Alvaro Puig
Scammers trying to rip you off will often impersonate organizations or government agencies you know. Some even pretend to be from the Federal Trade Commission. But how can you know if it’s the FTC or if it’s a scammer impersonating the FTC?
Consumer Alert

Have I told you lately that I love you — and how to avoid scams?

Terri Miller
It’s almost Valentine’s Day. Maybe you’ve already sent a card to your grandmother, grandfather, or the older adult in your life. But if you haven’t told them lately that you love them, pick up the phone and call, too. While you’re catching up, remind them that you’ll never pressure them to wire you money or buy you gift cards — but a scammer might.
Consumer Alert

Donating to help after earthquakes in Turkey and Syria?

Gema de las Heras
The devastation in Turkey and Syria following massive earthquakes is inspiring people to help and donate. And it’s prompting scammers — like they do after every disaster — to take advantage of your generosity. Find out how to make sure your money helps people in need.
Consumer Alert

Looking for a job? Scammers might be looking for you

Colleen Tressler
Recent layoffs in industries like the tech sector have scammers fine-tuning their approaches to take advantage. They may advertise jobs online, sometimes setting up fake websites, or look for targets on social media — all to try to steal your money and personal information. Whether you’re looking for your first job or seeking a new gig, here’s some advice to help you avoid job scams.
Consumer Alert

Identity Theft Awareness Week events focus on how to reduce your risk

Seena Gressin
As unique as we each are, we all look the same to identity thieves: like good targets. To them, it’s all about our Social Security numbers, birth dates, account login credentials, and other personal information. But during Identity Theft Awareness Week (January 30-February 3) we can all fight back against identity theft.
Consumer Alert

How to spot, avoid, and report weather-related scams

Colleen Tressler
From the relentless series of powerful storms that have battered California to the dozens of tornadoes that swept across six states, including Alabama, Georgia, and Kentucky, 2023 is off to a devastating start. Whether you’re getting back on your feet or looking for ways to help people in hard-hit areas, learn how scammers operate — and how to avoid them.
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