No, the government won’t call/text/email you for money

March 03, 2021

Emily Wu, Attorney, Federal Trade Commission

Lots of people are having trouble sleeping, thanks to the pandemic and all the parts of our lives it’s affecting. And it doesn’t help when you get a call saying you owe the government money. Oh, and, they add, you’ll go to jail if you don’t pay up immediately. That’s a scam, and nothing to lose...

Join us for these NCPW events next week

February 26, 2021

Ari Lazarus, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2021 is coming up next week, and we’d love for you to join us for some virtual events. NCPW is a time when the FTC joins with local, state, and national partners to bring you information and advice on scams, identity theft, and other consumer protection...

If you have federal student loans, read this

February 23, 2021

Ari Lazarus, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

Just under a year ago, we told you that the U.S. Department of Education announced some flexibility to federal student loan borrowers. Understanding these options can help you make more informed decisions about paying your bills and prioritizing your debts . The benefits have been extended through...

Utility scams are snow joke

February 22, 2021

Emily Wu, Attorney, Federal Trade Commission

Winter often brings the blues, but when it brings Arctic blasts, burst pipes, power outages, and even icicles indoors, scammers aren’t far behind with weather-related scams. Scammers know severe weather may have shut off your electricity, heat, and water and might pose as your utility company. They...

Coronavirus relief continues for housing and student loans

February 17, 2021

Emily Wu, Attorney, Federal Trade Commission

As the Coronavirus pandemic continues, so does its financial impact. For people who need help with rent or mortgage payments , or have student loans, there may be some good news about the federal relief response. Renters — The temporary stop on evictions for certain renters now runs through March...

Not love, actually

February 12, 2021

Jim Kreidler, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

Valentine's Day will be here soon so we're talking about romance scams. Lots of people have profiles on dating apps to meet someone — maybe even more so in these virtual times. And many people have built successful relationships from an online start. But what if, instead of finding a potential...

Amazon Flex didn’t deliver as promised

February 02, 2021

Jim Kreidler, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

Using your own vehicle to deliver packages for Amazon and earn extra money. Sounds good, right? But has Amazon been keeping the tips its drivers are making when delivering for its Amazon Flex program? According to the complaint the FTC issued today, the answer is yes. In its app and numerous...

Avoid scammers offering to pay your rent

January 29, 2021

Lisa Lake, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

If you’re facing eviction for any reason, there are organizations out there who can help you. But there are also fake “organizations” and “charities” who can hurt you. COVID-19 has created an even greater opportunity for scammers to target people — people who are just trying to get help with paying...

Scammers cash in on COVID-19 vaccination confusion

January 28, 2021

Colleen Tressler, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC

With every passing day, the news on COVID-19 vaccine distribution seems to change. One reason is that distribution varies by state and territory. And scammers, always at the ready, are taking advantage of the confusion. Besides a big dose of patience, here are some tips to help you avoid a vaccine-...

What to know about the second round of Economic Impact Payment (EIP) checks and cards

January 22, 2021

Cristina Miranda, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC

The US Department of the Treasury and the IRS are working hard to get a second round of Economic Impact Payments (EIP) to people. You might have already gotten your payment direct deposited into your bank account. That started on December 29th. You might have gotten a check in the mail. But, like...

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