Blog

Every year, the Partnership for Public Service awards Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals (the “Sammies” – or kind of the Oscars for feds) to highlight excellence in the federal workforce, and programs that make the country better, safer and stronger. This year, the FTC is proud to be a finalist in the Homeland Security and Law Enforcement Category, for our team’s work in creating IdentityTheft.gov. (Please vote for the People’s Choice.)...

Fake debt collectors will say anything that will scare you into paying them. Today, the FTC stopped imposters who pretended to be lawyers. They threatened people with lawsuits and jail time to collect debts that didn’t exist. These imposters often used the names of real small businesses or names that were very similar to those of existing businesses. When these real businesses started receiving calls from people trying to reach the “debt...

Whether you’re looking to build an empire or simply find sustainable growth for your small business, you already know it can feel like an uphill battle. In fact, 50% of all small businesses fail after their first five years. By year ten? That number shoots all the way up to 80%. So how can you stack the odds in your favor? July is Military Consumer Month, and we’re here to arm you with resources and knowledge to increase your odds of success...

Some scammers specialize in tricking people into paying for things they didn’t order. They often target businesses because they know that, in some businesses, the people who order supplies and the people who pay the invoices might not talk all the time. The scammers bet on the bill-payer assuming the invoices are for things the company actually ordered. And if the scammers are right, they can cash in big. That’s what happened to businesses that...

As with all web-based accounts, investors should take precautions to help ensure that their online investment accounts remain secure. These online security tips can help: Pick a “strong” password, keep it secure, and change it regularly. Use two-step verification or “two-factor” authentication, if available. Add biometric safeguards, if available. Use different passwords for different online accounts (i.e., brokerage, banking, retirement, or...

On July 13, @MilConsumer is hosting a Twitter chat to discuss the job search and employment challenges that transitioning servicemembers and their spouses face. Some of the issues we’ll cover include state professional licensing, job-hunting tips, and how to avoid job search scams. Other co-hosts for the chat are the FTC’s Acting Chairman Maureen Ohlhausen (@MOhlhausenFTC), the Colorado Attorney General’s office (@StopFraudCo), the Colorado...

If you’ve created a product or service you’re eager to sell, it makes sense to get patent or trademark protection. But some information that looks official might really just a scam to get your money. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the FTC want you to know that there are companies pretending to be the USPTO or a partner of the USPTO. They’re tricking patent and trademark holders into paying them “fees” for services, but they’re...

Who doesn’t like to save money? Those big colorful “going out of business” sale signs can draw you in, like a moth to a flame. Before you fork over any cash, make sure you understand the real deal. Otherwise, you might get burned. Here are a few things to think about. How can you tell if you’re getting a good deal? Comparison shopping is your best bet. Check to see if the same, or similar, products are sold elsewhere for less. If you’re at the...

Scammers are creative, cunning and cruel — and they often mix in a little truth to spice up their big lies. This scheme shows just how low they can go. Government imposters claiming to be with the FTC, or another agency like the fictitious “Consumer Protection Agency,” are calling to inform people they have won a huge sweepstakes from the Make-a-Wish Foundation, a well-known charity for very sick children. To get the money, the callers say, the...

As part of its settlement with DeVry University , starting today, the FTC will mail 173,000 refund checks worth more than $49 million to some students who attended the school between 2008 and 2015. Checks will expire 60 days after they were mailed. The FTC used DeVry’s records to identify the people who were eligible for refunds. To get a refund, a person must meet all four of these eligibility criteria: enrolled for the first time in a bachelor...