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Article

Avoiding and Reporting Gift Card Scams

July 28, 2023

Only scammers will tell you to buy a gift card, like a Google Play or Apple Card, and give them the numbers off the back of the card. No matter what they say, that’s a scam. No real business or government agency will ever tell you to buy a gift card to pay them. Always keep a copy of your gift card and store receipt. Use them to report gift card scams to the gift card company and ask for your money back.

Article

Buy Now, Pay Later, Rent-to-Own, Lease-to-Own, and Layaway

March 1, 2023

“Buy now, pay later,” rent-to-own, lease-to-own, and layaway plans let you buy things without paying in full right away. Before you say yes to one of these plans, find out the details. Depending on the type of plan you choose, you could end up paying a lot more than you expected.

Article

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

August 2, 2022

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

Consumer Alerts

Consumer Alert

Are ads on social media vetted or checked for scams? Here’s what to know

BCP Staff

August 10, 2026

You’re browsing your social media feed when an ad grabs your attention mid-swipe: that designer bag you’ve been dreaming of is 50% off for a limited time only! You’re dying to get your hands on one, so you don’t think twice about clicking on the ad. Why would you? The ad is right there in your feed and it looks real, so you trust that it’s legit. But it might not be. That’s because social media platforms don’t always thoroughly vet the ads you see or the advertisers behind them.

Consumer Alert

How to spot fake rental listings during a military move

BCP Staff

July 13, 2026

Whether you’ve been planning a move for months or you’re dealing with last-minute orders, military moves can be both exciting and stressful. The last thing you need is a rental scam to raise that stress level, so here’s how to spot them.

Consumer Alert

Traveling to the Olympics in Italy? Here’s how to avoid a scam

BCP Staff

January 9, 2026

With the winter Olympics in Italy fast approaching, athletes around the world are fine-tuning their routines, sharpening their skates, and finalizing their travel itineraries. If you’re planning to go to the Olympics, having a sound game plan is a key to success, just as it is for the competitors. Here’s what to know about travel, ticket, and vacation rental scams before you embark on your journey.