Avoid Scams When You Travel
Before you start your travel plans, learn common tactics scammers use that can ruin your entire trip.
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Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.
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What to know when you shop, compare warranties, or need to a resolve a customer problem.
Before you start your travel plans, learn common tactics scammers use that can ruin your entire trip.
If someone insists that you to pay them with gift cards, stop. You’re dealing with a scammer.
When you shop for new appliances, furniture, or expensive electronics, a seller might offer different ways to pay over time. Here’s what to know.
If you want to buy genuine Alaska Native-made arts and crafts, learn about the materials, appearance, and price of authentic items.
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.
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.
Before you buy, know that gemstones, diamonds, and pearls may be natural, manufactured, or treated to change their appearance.
Offers for subscriptions and free trials can cost you more that you bargained for if you’re not careful.
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.
Online reviews might help you decide what to buy or what company to hire. You should be able to trust that these reviews reflect the honest opinions of people who actually used a product or service. Unfortunately, some reviews are fake, deceptive, or manipulated — and that hurts both people and honest companies.
How to report suspicious online reviews across some popular websites.
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
Before you shop, learn about the words and symbols jewelers use to describe the quality and purity of the platinum, gold, and silver jewelry.
Scammers pressure you to wire money to them because it’s easy to take your money and disappear.
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?
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
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.
If you’ve been scammed, someone might promise to help you get your money back –– if you pay in advance. That’s another scam.
Here's a sample to help you write a complaint letter about a product or service.
These strategies can help you resolve a problem if you aren’t satisfied with a product or service.
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.
Billed for products you never ordered, or for products you ordered but never got? Federal laws protect you. Here's what to do.
Use caution when dealing with companies that promise to negotiate lower payments for your car loan if you pay them an advance fee.