National Veterans Small Business Week

November 04, 2019

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

This week is the sixth annual National Veterans Small Business Week. Once again, the FTC joins with the Small Business Administration to celebrate and support veterans who are small businesses owners. Whether you’re just starting out or growing your existing business, the FTC’s Business Center has...

Free electronic credit monitoring coming soon to the military

October 31, 2019

Amanda Koulousias, Staff Attorney, Division of Privacy and Identity Protection, FTC

Starting October 31, many members of the military will have access to a free tool to help spot identity theft. The nationwide credit reporting agencies – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion – have confirmed that they will provide free electronic credit monitoring services to active duty...

What you can do to fend off hackers

October 30, 2019

Alvaro Puig, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

Your personal information is valuable. That’s why hackers try to steal it. This year, for National Cyber Security Awareness Month, we’ve got tips to help you keep your personal information from ending up in the hands of a hacker. Protect your phone Let’s start with protecting the data on your phone...

SIM Swap Scams: How to Protect Yourself

October 23, 2019

Alvaro Puig, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

If your cell phone is your go-to device for checking your email, paying your bills, or posting to social media, you’re not alone. So imagine that your cell phone suddenly stops working: no data, no text messages, no phone calls. Then picture getting an unexpected notification from your cellular...

FTC Refunds: The real deal or not?

October 08, 2019

Nicole Christ, Redress Program Manager, FTC

Sometimes the FTC is able to return money to people who were ripped off in a con artist’s scheme. But scammers try to cause confusion and take advantage at every step. If you lost money in a scam, you might get a call or email from someone claiming that they can help you recover your funds – if you...

FTC: AdvoCare business model was pyramid scheme

October 02, 2019

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

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-...

Millennials and fraud: What’s the story?

October 02, 2019

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

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...

Using Match.com? Read this

September 25, 2019

Rosario Méndez, Attorney, Division of Consumer & Business Education, FTC

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...

Social Security is not trying to take your benefits

September 16, 2019

Jim Kreidler, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

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...

In the wake of Hurricane Dorian

September 11, 2019

Colleen Tressler, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

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...

Pages