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...

University of Phoenix students get payments

March 25, 2021

Bridget Small, Division of Consumer & Business Education

The FTC is sending a total of almost $50 million to nearly 147,500 students of the University of Phoenix. The money comes from the University’s 2019 settlement with the FTC, when the FTC charged the school with using deceptive ads to attract students. According to the FTC , the ads gave the false...

Free weekly credit reports during COVID extended until April 2022

March 16, 2021

Cathlin Tully, Attorney, Division of Privacy and Identity Protection

If you’re feeling anxious about your financial health during these uncertain times, you’re not alone. That’s why the three national credit reporting agencies, which last year gave people weekly access to monitor their credit report for free, are extending that benefit until April 20, 2022. This is...

Scams will follow new COVID-19 rescue plan

March 12, 2021

Jennifer Leach, Associate Director, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC

The pandemic is still taking a toll on every kind of well-being we have. The new American Rescue Plan, just signed into law, gets the ball rolling to help out on many people’s financial well-being. Payments will soon be coming by direct deposit, checks, or a debit card to people eligible for the...

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...

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