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Are you thinking about joining a multi-level marketing business to earn extra money? Before investing your hard-earned cash, make sure you’re not dealing with a pyramid scheme – a scam that can cost you dearly. Today, the FTC announced a case against Texas-based AdvoCare International, a multi-level marketer of energy drinks, shakes, and supplements. AdvoCare claimed people could earn unlimited income, quit their day jobs, and gain financial...

Lots of people fall for scams. Is it any different for Millennials? That’s what the FTC explores in its new Data Spotlight, Not what you think: Millennials and fraud. According to the Data Spotlight, Millennials are 25% more likely to report losing money to fraud than other adults (age 40 and over), and much more likely to tell us they lost money on certain types of fraud. Online shopping frauds stand out – Millennials are twice as likely to...

Online dating sites are a common way people seek romance. But what if, instead of a potential match, you find a scammer? Today, t he FTC announced a lawsuit against Match.com, challenging several of Match’s business practices, including ones that the FTC says exposed customers to romance scammers. If you had a free Match account and got a message from another user, Match would send you a notice like this one to encourage you to “read his email”...

We’ve seen a new twist on the Social Security Administration (SSA) scam recently. Check out this SSA imposter robocall, which says your benefits will end. (That’s not true, by the way.) Your browser does not support the audio element. If you get a call like this, do not press 1. Instead, just hang up and remember: Your Social Security number is not about to be suspended. The real Social Security Administration will never call to threaten your...

If you suffered damage from Hurricane Dorian, or if you’re looking for ways to help those in need, start at ftc.gov/weatheremergencies. You’ll find ways to spot the scams that often follow disasters. After a storm like Hurricane Dorian, scammers often target people who need to get their homes cleaned up or repaired, or find a new place to rent. Scammers might pose as a government official, asking for financial information or money to apply for...

Dishonest companies set up websites that look like legitimate places to get information on finding a job, joining the military, or getting government benefits. But they might not help you with any of those things. Instead, they’ll take your personal information and sell it to other companies. The companies that buy those “leads” then try to pitch you products or services you didn’t ask for. The FTC has reached a settlement with Career Education...

If you needed yet another nudge to start keeping an eye on your credit report to protect against identity theft, Capital One has delivered it with its announcement that a data breach has exposed the personal information of 106 million of its credit card customers and credit card applicants in the United States and Canada. News of the Capital One breach comes just one week after the Federal Trade Commission announced that Equifax agreed to pay up...

We’re seeing a new spin on gift card scams. This time, scammers are pretending to be a pastor, rabbi, priest, imam, or bishop. They’re asking worshipers for gift card contributions for a worthy cause. Appeals are often made by email, but we’ve heard people are also getting texts and phone calls, too. The bogus emails often include the name of the local pastor and a legitimate looking email address. But a closer look should raise some red flags...

Military Consumer Month is drawing to a close for this year — but the work to stay ahead of con artists doesn’t stop. Here are some resources to share with your social networks throughout the year. Learn more about how to avoid scams: https://youtu.be/HrzN1e1qgLc Want to let others know how to avoid the latest rip-offs? Encourage your buddies, colleagues, and neighbors to sign up for free email updates from MilitaryConsumer.gov . Connect with us...

Have you heard about fake Medicare calls? Scammers say they need your Medicare number so you can get a back or neck brace. Or they need your information or money so you can get a new Medicare card. If you or someone you know gets a call like this: Hang up. If someone calls claiming to be from Medicare, asking for your Social Security number or bank information to get your new card or new benefits, it’s a scam. Don’t trust caller ID . Scammers can...