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...

2020 Census jobs: It costs nothing to apply

January 15, 2020

Colleen Tressler, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

We saw it with the 2010 Census: scammers lying to people about the availability of jobs as census takers, and charging fees to help people get those jobs. If history is any indication, the scammers will likely be back at it for the 2020 Census. The FTC is partnering with the U.S. Census Bureau to...

Protecting small business from imposters

January 09, 2020

Laura Solis, Attorney, Federal Trade Commission

Opening a business requires planning, elbow grease, and probably some paperwork to register your new company with your state or local government. And that’s where some not-so-honest outfits may try to confuse you into thinking they’re from the government and that you need to pay money to complete...

Student loan debt relief

December 23, 2019

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

Are you repaying education-related loans? According to the Pew Research Center , about one-third of adu lts under age 30 have student loan debt. You’ve probably seen ads from companies promising to help with that debt. S ome of the companies that promise help are outright scams. Here are some tips...

Tips for holiday gift card shopping

December 13, 2019

Cristina Miranda, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC

Gift cards are one quick way to get through your last-minute holiday shopping list. But before you give (and get) gift cards, here are a few things you need to know. Inspect gift cards before you buy. A gift card should have all its protective stickers in place. Report the card to the store if...

What to ask before buying internet-connected toys

December 09, 2019

Cristina Miranda, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC

What’s on your holiday wish list? Perhaps a smart speaker for your kids’ bedroom, or a cuddly cool internet-connected smart toy to help them learn? Before you give one of these connected toys, read this handy list of questions. They can help you know what to look out for with an internet-connected...

Helping military kids

November 26, 2019

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

November is Military Family Month, a time to recognize the unique challenges that families face when supporting their servicemembers. Children may need to deal with a parent’s deployment or uprooting to move to a different community – and a new home, school, and friends. Here are some resources to...

“Pass it On” at the holidays

November 25, 2019

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

Holidays often mean time with family and friends. If you’re looking for conversation starters that avoid tricky topics – like who should’ve won the World Series – why not chat about scams? Pass it On, an FTC education campaign, gives you new ways to talk about scams and how to prevent them. Sharing...

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