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Did you know that people almost always open text messages? In a new Data Spotlight about the big jump in reported fraud losses involving text scams, the FTC notes a study finding open rates can be as high as 98%. Those are really good odds for a scammer. And when scammers get you to respond to their messages, they’re cashing in. Here’s how you can increase your chances of keeping your money safe.

You’re online and get a message or pop-up alerting you to a problem with your computer. The message might even say or suggest it’s from Microsoft, Apple, or Geek Squad. Should you click immediately to see what it’s about? No, and here’s why.

Kids and video games often go together like peanut butter and jelly. Here’s something else that goes along with some video games: Ads competing for your kid’s attention at every stage of their video game-playing experience — while they look for video games on the app store, while they select and download games, and during gameplay. Learn how to deal with ads that encourage kids to spend money — sometimes without your knowledge or approval.

Recovering from the storms that brought deadly tornados and severe flooding from the South to the Midwest will take time and patience. If you’ve been displaced by a weather emergency, or your home or business was damaged, you’re probably trying to figure out what to do next. Here are some ideas to help you get started.

April marks the one-year anniversary of the FTC’s Impersonation Rule. Here’s how impersonation scams can hurt people, and what the FTC is doing to fight back.

Online search results can offer significant benefits to consumers, helping people find what they’re looking for. But online search results are also used by scammers to steer you in the wrong direction. In fact, scammers sometimes use paid search results to trick you. They might use another company’s name, include the name of a government service, or use misleading tag lines to make you think you’re dealing with someone else. They might even put...

Have you ever paid for something and later found out you could have gotten it for free? It might make you wish someone had told you it was free — before you paid. That’s what a lot of people have reported to the FTC about companies charging them hundreds of dollars to get their Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. But there’s no reason to pay anyone for your EIN. The IRS issues EINs for free.

All year long, scammers are looking for ways to steal your hard-earned money. FTC data shows people reported losing $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, which is up $2.5 billion from 2023. April is Financial Literacy Month: a great time to check out the free resources at consumer.gov to help manage your money while protecting it from scammers.

You’re not the only one getting scammy text messages about unpaid toll charges or issues with your Amazon account. Chances are your tweens and teens with phones are getting them, too. Sure, you can tell your kids to delete and never respond to unexpected texts. But if you want them to understand why, the FTC can help you make a game plan.

Using old tactics and new twists, scammers are impersonating government agencies, including the FTC, to try to steal people’s personal information and money. The FTC is committed to combatting these imposter scams, and there’s encouraging news these efforts are making a difference to American consumers.