Donate with honor, not to a sham charity

July 19, 2018

Rosario Mendez, Attorney, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC

Would you donate to a charity called Help the Vets? What about if you get a robocall that asks you to donate your car to “Veterans of America?” Unfortunately, just because the word “veterans” is in the name, it doesn’t mean that an organization actually helps veterans. For example, Help the Vets...

Avoiding tech support scams

July 15, 2018

Carol Kando-Pineda, Attorney, FTC's Division of Consumer and Business Education

You’re working on your computer when, suddenly, a message pops up on the screen: “Virus detected! Call now for a free security scan and to repair your device.” That’s a tech support scam. Don’t call, text, or email. Legit tech support companies don’t operate that way. Scammers pose as big-name...

Online love asking for money? It’s a scam.

July 09, 2018

Carol Kando-Pineda, Attorney, FTC's Division of Consumer and Business Education

While plenty of successful relationships begin online, scammers also use online dating sites, apps, and chat rooms to trick you into sending them money. These imposters create fake profiles to build online relationships, and eventually convince people to send money in the name of love. Some even...

Scammers create fake emergencies to get your money

July 02, 2018

Carol Kando-Pineda, Attorney, FTC's Division of Consumer & Business Education

“I was headed home on leave but I lost my wallet and military ID. I’m stranded — please wire money.” “Your grandson is being held in jail. He needs bail money right away.” Scammers try to trick you into thinking a loved one is in trouble. They call, text, email, or send messages on social media...

Military Families: 3 Steps to a Safer Celebration

June 28, 2018

Ann Marie Buerkle, Acting Chairman, Consumer Product Safety Commission

The Fourth of July is an important day for all Americans, and can have even more significance to those who have served in the armed services. Perhaps you’re getting together with family and friends, picking up miniature American flags for the backyard, and deciding on your favorite barbecue treats...

Military Consumer Month 2018: Fight Imposter Scams

June 19, 2018

Andrew Smith , Director, FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection

J uly is Military Consumer Month. This year, we’re focusing on fighting imposter scams – where a con artist pretends to be someone you trust, to convince you to send money or personal information. The scam can take many forms: imposters may say they’re calling from the government or from a business...

Free credit freezes are coming soon

June 07, 2018

Lisa Weintraub Schifferle, Attorney, FTC, Division of Consumer & Business Education

Looking for stronger ways to protect your credit? Thanks to a new federal law, soon you can get free credit freezes and year-long fraud alerts. Here’s what to look forward to when the law takes effect on September 21st: Free credit freezes What is it? A credit freeze restricts access to your credit...

Scammers target Sept. 11th Victim Compensation Fund

April 23, 2018

Drew Johnson, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

Consumers are reporting a new imposter scam — this time the callers are pretending to be with the September 11 th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) . According to reports, the callers are telling people they may be entitled to money, and they are asking people for their personal information to...

FTC’s Data Book and military consumers

March 09, 2018

Monica Vaca, Associate Director, Division of Consumer Response and Operations

Last year we heard from nearly 2.7 million people about scams and other consumer problems they encountered. We’ve tallied the numbers and last week the FTC announced the 2017 Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book . We got more than 113,000 reports from military consumers. Although not all of them...

Military Saves Week: Set a goal. Make a plan. Save automatically.

February 26, 2018

By Alecia Blair, Military Saves Communications Strategist & Outreach Manager, AFC®Candidate, FINRA Foundation Fellow

This is Military Saves Week ! It’s an annual opportunity for servicemembers and their families to learn about successful savings practices and to assess progress towards their savings goals. The Week’s theme is: Set a goal. Make a plan. Save automatically . It may sound easy enough, but doing these...

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