Buying and Owning a Car

Buying, Leasing, and Renting

Auto Loan Refinancing Scams

Use caution when dealing with companies that promise to negotiate lower payments for your car loan if you pay them an advance fee.

Auto Trade-Ins and Negative Equity: When You Owe More than Your Car is Worth

What to expect when you owe more on your car than it’s worth.

Buying a Used Car From a Dealer

A Buyers Guide is required on used cars sold by dealers. Learn about vehicle history reports, warranties, and payment options.

Car Dealer Ads and Promotions: Know Before You Go

How to determine whether prices, discounts, and other terms in car ads are true before you go to the dealership.

Financing or Leasing a Car

Shopping for a new or used car? Learn about your financing and leasing options and what to expect at the dealership.

Renting a Car

Compare the total cost, not just the advertised rate, when shopping. Fees and options can increase the base price dramatically.

Ownership and Warranties

Auto Warranties and Service Contracts

Explains differences between a warranty and service contract, how to get the most out of a warranty, your rights, possible scams.

Vehicle Repossession

What to know about when, and how, your car can be repossessed.

Related Scams

From Consumer Alerts

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Consumer Alert

It’s Financial Literacy Month: Learn how to keep your money safe from scammers

Colleen Tressler

April 3, 2023

April is Financial Literacy Month, and a great time to take advantage of free advice at ftc.gov/Money Matters. Federal Trade Commission data show people reported losing $8.8 billion to scams in 2022

Consumer Alert

Far from “full vehicle” protection

Kira Krown

March 24, 2023

When it comes to telemarketing and extended auto warranties, what you’re promised on the phone…may not be what you get. Today, the FTC announced a settlement in its case against American Vehicle

Consumer Alert

What to know about auto service contracts and extended warranty scams

Colleen Tressler

March 23, 2023

You may think buying an auto service contract can help ease the burden of costly repairs. While a service contract might sound like a good idea, it could duplicate coverage you have through your

Consumer Alert

How to steer clear of a flood-damaged car

Colleen Tressler

November 15, 2022

Shopping for a car? With new car prices averaging more than $48,000, you may be thinking about buying used. But in the wake of disasters like Hurricane Ian, tread lightly: after a hurricane or flood

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Featured Videos

Spotting Deceptive Car Ads - Consumer Tips

Buying a Used Car - Consumer Tips

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Deceptive Auto Scams Infographic

Shopping and Donating

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Consumer Alerts

Looking for alternatives for your holiday shopping?

Credit, Loans, and Debt

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Consumer Alerts

Paying off holiday credit card debt

Jobs and Making Money

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Consumer Alerts

Who’s affected by income scams?

Unwanted Calls, Emails, and Texts

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Consumer Alerts

Fake calls from Apple and Amazon support: What you need to know

Identity Theft and Online Security

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Consumer Alerts

The Google Voice scam: How this verification code scam works and how to avoid it

Buying and Owning a Car

Buying, Leasing, and Renting

Auto Loan Refinancing Scams

Auto Trade-Ins and Negative Equity: When You Owe More than Your Car is Worth

Buying a Used Car From a Dealer

Car Dealer Ads and Promotions: Know Before You Go

Financing or Leasing a Car

Renting a Car

Ownership and Warranties

Auto Warranties and Service Contracts

Vehicle Repossession

Related Scams

From Consumer Alerts

It’s Financial Literacy Month: Learn how to keep your money safe from scammers

Far from “full vehicle” protection

What to know about auto service contracts and extended warranty scams

How to steer clear of a flood-damaged car

Get consumer alerts

Featured Videos

Featured Resources