FTC: Coronavirus scams, Part 2

March 19, 2020

Colleen Tressler, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

Last month, we alerted you to Coronavirus scams we were seeing at the time. Earlier this month, we sent warning letters to seven sellers of scam Coronavirus treatments. So far, all of the companies have made big changes to their advertising to remove unsupported claims. But scammers don’t take a...

Checks from the government

March 18, 2020

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

As the Coronavirus takes a growing toll on people’s pocketbooks, there are reports that the government will soon be sending money by check or direct deposit to each of us. The details are still being worked out, but there are a few really important things to know, no matter what this looks like. 1...

Look before they ship

March 11, 2020

Lesley Fair, Attorney, FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection

You’ve spotted a gotta-have-it item online. You’ve looked into the price, product details, and return information. Ready to click the BUY button? Not so fast. If you don’t pay careful attention to a company’s shipping policies, you could miss the boat . That’s a money-saving tip for all consumers,...

FTC: Detox tea claims are hard to swallow

March 09, 2020

Colleen Tressler, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

Looking to improve your health or lose a few pounds? Maybe detox teas promoted by celebrities on social media have caught your eye. Before you pay up and down a cup, listen to what the FTC has to say about one purveyor of such potions. In a settlement announced today , the FTC alleges that Teami,...

What's a money mule scam?

March 06, 2020

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

Scammers may try to use you to move stolen money. If you help them, you could be what law enforcement calls a money mule. Money mule scams happen several ways. The story often involves scams related to online dating , work-at-home jobs , or prizes . Scammers send money to you, sometimes by check,...

Is that text message about your FedEx package really a scam?

March 02, 2020

Alvaro Puig, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

You may be skeptical when someone you don’t know sends you a text message you didn’t expect and it tells you to click on a link. Maybe that little voice in your head starts talking to you. I know mine does. It says, “Hmm, this could be a scam. Maybe someone wants to steal my personal information...

It’s not true love if they ask for money

February 12, 2020

Cristina Miranda, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC

It’s almost Valentine’s Day. Lots of us have profiles on online dating sites, apps or social media to find “the one.” But that interesting person who just messaged you could be a sweet - talking romance scammer trying to trick you into sending money. Reports of romance scams are growing, and...

FTC: The bottom-line on fake checks scams

February 10, 2020

Colleen Tressler, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

If someone you don’t know sends you a check and asks for money back, that’s a scam. Fake checks drive many types of scams — like those involving phony job and income opportunities, online classified ad sales, and others. In a fake check scam, a person you don’t know asks you to deposit a check –...

Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week is coming

January 27, 2020

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

‘Tis the season when the tidings come in envelopes stamped “Important Tax Return Document Enclosed.” Yes, it’s tax filing season, and the season’s Grinches are the tax identity thieves and government imposters who are hoping to seal your money. Find out how to stop them during Tax Identity Theft...

The top frauds of 2019

January 23, 2020

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

Each year, the FTC takes a hard look at the number of reports people make to our Consumer Sentinel Network. In fact, during 2019 , we got more than 3.2 million reports to the FTC from you. We’ve read what you’ve said, and crunched the numbers. Here’s what you told us in 2019. Imposter scams was the...

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