USS Bonhomme Richard – giving to sailors in need

July 20, 2020

Carol Kando-Pineda, Counsel, FTC, Division of Consumer & Business Education

You may have seen reports of the fire that destroyed the USS Bonhomme Richard. Dozens of sailors fled the burning ship and lost all their possessions. When a distressing event like this happens, many folks look for ways to help. But you also want to make sure your money gets to the people you want...

Utility company calling? Don’t fall for it.

July 15, 2020

Jim Kreidler, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

Every day, millions of people who have lost their jobs are making difficult choices about how to pay their bills. As the Coronavirus continues to spread, scammers are taking advantage of people’s heightened economic anxiety. Their latest ploy is posing as representatives from utility companies to...

What’s new for people in the military community?

July 12, 2020

Paul Witt, FTC's Division of Consumer Response and Operations

During Military Consumer Month, the FTC is launching a new too l to explore what problems military consumers may experience in the marketplace. For the first time, data about the FTC’s reports from military personnel will be available online in an interactive dashboard at ftc.gov/exploredata . From...

It’s Military Consumer Month 2020

June 29, 2020

Andrew Smith, Director, Bureau of Consumer Protection

Military Consumer Month is here! In these unprecedented and challenging times, we’re focusing on consumer issues related to COVID-19. As of June 30, consumers have submitted more than 115,000 reports of fraud related to COVID-19, resulting in reported losses of more than $74 million. Scammers...

COVID mask exemption cards are not from the government

June 29, 2020

Colleen Tressler, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

To help limit the spread of the Coronavirus, many states are requiring people to wear face coverings in places open to the public. But there are cards circulating online and on social media that say the holder has a disability that prevents them from wearing a mask, and that it’s illegal for any...

Hurricane season 2020 and COVID-19

June 02, 2020

Colleen Tressler, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

June 1 is the official start of hurricane season, and now is a great time to make a plan to deal with weather emergencies. Especially because this year, we have the added concern of the COVID-19 pandemic, including what you need know if you have to go to a shelter . (Hint: it involves packing hand...

COVID-19 scams targeting college students

May 28, 2020

Ari Lazarus, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

Hey college students: even though you’re likely far from campus, scammers are still trying to find you. Maybe you or your friends have gotten an email claiming to be from the “Financial Department” of your university. The email tells you to click on a link to get a message about your COVID-19...

This “game” is a chain letter scam

May 22, 2020

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

Are you tempted to play “The Circle Game,” join a “Blessing Loom,” or jump on a “Money Board”? These are some of the names for an online scam that’s making the rounds at a time when millions of people are out of work and scraping for cash. It promises a big return for a modest investment. Don’t...

Military Data Spotlight: Identity theft and servicemembers

May 20, 2020

Emma Fletcher, Division of Consumer Response and Operations

Every year, thousands of servicemembers report to us about their consumer experiences. Those reports are the focus of the FTC’s Data Spotlight , Identity theft causing outsized harm to our troops . From an analysis of the data, we can see that servicemembers often face consumer challenges that...

Finding a furry friend in the era of COVID-19

May 20, 2020

Namukolo Kasumpa, International Fellow, Division of Consumer & Business Education

If you’ve been thinking about adding a pet to your family, now may be a good time. In addition to pets offering unconditional love, companionship, and amusement, studies have shown that the bond between people and their pets has health benefits. Regular walking or playing with pets can decrease...

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