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...

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...

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