Targeting the troops

July 07, 2021

Samuel Levine, Acting Director, FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection

While American servicemembers stand ready to defend the nation, smalltime scammers and large corporations alike have them in their sights. They follow the money — and they know that military personnel get a steady paycheck and valuable benefits from Uncle Sam. And the eventual transition back to...

Amazon Flex didn’t deliver as promised, and now must pay

June 10, 2021

Jim Kreidler, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

Were you an Amazon Flex driver from late 2016 to August 2019? If so, you may be able to get the tips you earned that Amazon previously withheld. Several months ago, we told you the FTC filed a case against Amazon for keeping $61.7 million in tips drivers made while delivering for the Amazon Flex...

Stand up to cyberbullying

June 08, 2021

Jim Kreidler, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

Pride Month is about connecting with and showing support for people in the LGBTQ+ community. It’s also about standing up and protecting those we care for, so today we’re talking about cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is bullying that happens online. It can happen in a text message, an online game, or...

Happy Pride Month from the FTC

June 07, 2021

Daniel Kaufman, Acting Director, FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection

June is Pride Month, an important time of year when we get to celebrate and show our support for LGBTQ+ people everywhere. Here at the FTC, “pride” is more than a month-long celebration. We’re proud of the work we’re doing throughout the year to help protect the LGBTQ+ community from fraud —...

More money is coming to families…and scammers are ready

June 03, 2021

Lisa Lake, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

As part of the American Rescue Plan Act, eligible families will get monthly payments from the government from July 15 through December 2021. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will send these monthly payments directly to people through direct deposit, paper checks, or debit cards. Unlike economic...

Scammers target loved ones of COVID-19 victims

April 20, 2021

Seena Gressin, Attorney, Division of Consumer & Business Education, FTC

Government imposters may have hit a new low with a scheme that targets the grieving survivors of people who died of COVID-19 by offering them help paying for their loved one’s funeral expenses. A real government relief program will pay up to $9,000 for funeral expenses that people have paid since...

Don’t let job scams block your path forward

April 16, 2021

Lisa Lake, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

After more than a year of pandemic-related devastating losses — including job losses – you may be one of millions looking to get back on your feet with a new job. This Financial Literacy Month, as always, the FTC wants to help keep you on track with ways to avoid job scams. Scammers post ads online...

New IRS imposter scam targets college students and staff

April 08, 2021

Ari Lazarus, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

If you’re a college student, faculty, or staff member, you’re going to want to pay attention to this one. IRS imposters are sending phishing emails to people with “.edu” email addresses, saying they have information about your “tax refund payment.” What do they really want? Your personal...

The pandemic’s effect on your money

April 06, 2021

Jim Kreidler, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

This April is Financial Literacy Month, so this week we’re talking about financial resiliency. The Coronavirus has been devastating for many people’s financial lives . Through no fault of their own, millions have lost jobs, businesses, and savings due to the financial impact of the pandemic. Many...

Behind on your rent and worried about eviction?

April 01, 2021

Sana Chriss , Attorney, Division of Consumer & Business Education, FTC

Lots of people are having difficulty paying their rent due to the pandemic. But today, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released an eviction moratorium order . It protects people from being evicted for not paying their rent if they complete a declaration form and give it to their landlord...

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