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Shopping Advice

Avoid Scams When You Travel

Before you start your travel plans, learn common tactics scammers use that can ruin your entire trip.

Before You Wire Money

Scammers pressure you to wire money to them because it’s easy to take your money and disappear.

Buying Alaska Native Art

If you want to buy genuine Alaska Native-made arts and crafts, learn about the materials, appearance, and price of authentic items.

Buying American Indian Arts and Crafts

Sometimes it can be hard to tell whether arts and crafts are genuine or are imitations. Learning about American Indian arts and crafts can help you make sure to buy quality, authentic pieces.

Buying From an Online Marketplace

Online marketplaces sell goods from local groups and national companies. Before you buy, learn about refunds, returns, and how to get help in case of problems.

Gemstones, Diamonds, and Pearls

Before you buy, know that gemstones, diamonds, and pearls may be natural, manufactured, or treated to change their appearance.

Getting In and Out of Free Trials, Auto-Renewals, and Negative Option Subscriptions

Offers for subscriptions and free trials can cost you more that you bargained for if you’re not careful.

Gift Card Scams

If someone insists that you to pay them with gift cards, stop. You’re dealing with a scammer.

Hiring a Lawyer

Take time to find a lawyer with relevant experience in the legal area you need. Find out about experience, fees, and possible outcomes. Get agreements in writing.

How To Report Suspicious Online Reviews

How to report suspicious online reviews across some popular websites.

Online Shopping

Before you buy online, comparison shop and check sellers and products. Keep records of purchases to make sure you can hold a seller to its promises

Platinum, Gold, and Silver Jewelry

Before you shop, learn about the words and symbols jewelers use to describe the quality and purity of the platinum, gold, and silver jewelry.

Rent-to-Own, Lease-to-Own, Layaway, and Buying Over Time

When you shop for new appliances, furniture, or expensive electronics, a seller might offer different ways to pay over time. Here’s what you need to know.

Using a Shopping App

Shopping apps may help you get deals or earn rewards, but they also ask for personal information and collect information about you and your shopping behavior.

Warranties and Service Contracts

Extended Warranties and Service Contracts

Before you buy an extended warranty or service contract, compare it to the warranty that came with the product. Will buying the coverage add extra benefits?

Warranties

A warranty is a manufacturer's promise to stand behind its product. Read the warranty to see what is and isn’t covered, and what to do in case of problems

Solving Problems

Buyer’s Remorse: The FTC’s Cooling-Off Rule May Help

The Cooling-Off Rule gives you 3 days to cancel sales made at your home or certain other locations. But not all sales are covered.

Refund and Recovery Scams

If you’ve been scammed, someone might promise to help you get your money back –– if you pay in advance. That’s another scam.

Sample Customer Complaint Letter

Here's a sample letter to help you write your own complaint about a product or service.

Solving Customer Problems: Returns, Refunds, and Other Resolutions

If you aren’t satisfied with a product or service, these tips and strategies and can help you resolve the problem.

What To Do if You Were Scammed

Find out what to do if you paid someone you think is a scammer, or if you gave a scammer your personal information or access to your computer or phone.

What To Do if You’re Billed for Things You Never Got, or You Get Unordered Products

Billed for products you never ordered, or for products you ordered but never got? Federal laws protect you. Here's what to do.

Related Scams

From Consumer Alerts

View all Shopping alerts

Consumer Alert

Want to buy now but pay later? Read this first

Andrew Rayo

December 22, 2022

Planning to buy things like new clothes or electronics for the holidays, but want to pay later? Some businesses offer “buy now, pay later” plans, which let you get your purchase right away and pay for

Consumer Alert

Here’s where to get FREE COVID tests

Gema de las Heras

December 21, 2022

With the reopening of the federal government program to order no-cost COVID-19 tests, there are more options to get free tests this year. But how do you know what’s legit and what’s a scam? Read on.

Consumer Alert

What proposed FTC updates to the Eyeglass Rule mean for you

Colleen Tressler, FTC, Division of Consumer and Business Education

December 9, 2022

The FTC enforces the Eyeglass Rule, which gives you the right to get your eyeglass prescription — whether you ask for it or not — and at no extra charge once your eye exam has been completed. Having a

Consumer Alert

Want to get rid of your timeshare? Read this before you hire someone to help

Rosario Mendez

November 22, 2022

Timeshare exit companies advertise a lot. Many "guarantee" they can get you out of your timeshare contract, but sometimes these companies are simply a scam. In a case announced today, the FTC said a