Article
Avoid Scams When You Travel
Before you start your travel plans, learn common tactics scammers use that can ruin your entire trip.
Article
Nanny and Caregiver Job Scams
Caregiver websites can help you find jobs. But scammers also use them to find people to rip off.
Consumer Alert
’Tis the season to spot and avoid gift card scams
Looking for a New Year’s resolution? Here’s one for you: Keep your hard-earned money safe from scammers by spotting and avoiding gift card scams. Then help others spot and avoid them, too. Scammers want you to pay with gift cards because they’re like cash: once you use a gift card, the money on it is gone. But what do gift card scams look like?
Consumer Alert
Credit card debt relief that wasn’t
Credit card debt can be stressful. Interest rates can be high, and if you miss or can’t make your full payments, that growing balance can be overwhelming. Enter a group of companies that promised to reduce or eliminate your credit card debt. (For a fee.) But did they?
Consumer Alert
No, that’s not the IRS texting about a tax refund or rebate. It’s a scam.
IRS impersonators have been around for a while. But as more people get to know their tricks, they’re switching it up. So instead of contacting you about a tax debt and making threats to get you to pay up, scammers may send you a text about a “tax rebate” or some other tax refund or benefit. Here’s what to know about the new twist.
Consumer Alert
The FBI won’t ask you for money — that’s a scam
Unwanted calls are annoying — but when a caller says they’re an FBI agent collecting on a legal judgment entered against you, it’s also scary. No matter how urgent and serious the call sounds, neither the judgment nor the agent are real. Like other impersonation scams, FBI imposters are after your money and personal information, and they might even threaten to arrest you unless you pay immediately. (Again: it’s not real.) Read on to learn to spot the scam.
Consumer Alert
Imposter scams targeting veterans and servicemembers
As we continue to honor and celebrate veterans, scammers increase efforts around holidays — like Veteran’s Day — to try to take advantage. Right now, a banking scam is tricking veterans (and current servicemembers) into sharing sensitive personal or financial information. Find out how.
Consumer Alert
Stay away from scams this Medicare Open Enrollment Period
If you or one of your loved ones are on Medicare, you’re probably aware that open enrollment ends on December 7. And you’re probably reviewing and comparing different options to select a plan that’s right for you. But as you shop around, know that scammers might take advantage of this period to impersonate Medicare agents.
Consumer Alert
Veteran entrepreneurs: Spot the scams
The FTC joins the country in honoring veteran entrepreneurs and their families this National Veterans Small Business Week. We offer thanks as you continue to serve communities all over the nation through your businesses. Unfortunately, scammers are ready to take your hard-earned profits and steal your sensitive business data. So, this week, take time to talk to your employees about how scams happen.
Consumer Alert
How to recognize a fake Geek Squad renewal scam
Scammers are at it again, impersonating well-known businesses and trying to rip people off. This time they’re pretending to be from Geek Squad, Best Buy’s tech support service. Here’s what we’re hearing about the scam and what to do if you see it.
Consumer Alert
Scammers are posing as your TV and internet company
Did Spectrum or another provider call with an offer to lower your monthly TV, cable, or internet bill in exchange for a pre-payment or fee? It wasn’t them. It was a scammer, and you’re not alone. This year, the FTC has gotten thousands of reports — including many from older adults — about scammers pretending to be Spectrum to try to trick people out of their money or personal information.
Consumer Alert
Getting your finances back on track after Hurricane Ian
After a natural disaster, the road to recovery — financial and otherwise — can be long and bumpy. As you begin picking up the pieces in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, here are some things to think about as you develop a plan to regain your financial stability:
Consumer Alert
Spot and avoid home-related fraud this winter
Between inflation and soaring energy prices, many of us are thinking about how much more it’s going to cost to stay warm this year. Getting an email, a call, or a knock on your door with an offer to cut your utility bill may seem like hitting the savings lottery. But before you say “yes,” know that scammers may hide behind some of those offers. They’re after your money and information and will leave you out in the cold.
Consumer Alert
How to save money on utilities this winter and avoid scams
When temperatures drop, it often costs more to stay comfortable in your home — and scammers know that. This alert is the first in a series to help you get your home ready for winter, save money, and avoid fraud.
Consumer Alert
Recovery scams will follow Hurricane Ian. Here’s how to spot them
Nobody knows how long it’ll take to recover from the destruction Hurricane Ian left behind. But we do know it won’t be long before scammers start trying to cash in on the deadly storm. Whether you’re getting back on your feet or looking for ways to help people in areas hit hardest, learn how scammers operate — and how to avoid them.
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