Consumer Alerts

Scammers make up all kinds of bogus stories to steal your personal information, or your money. Some go negative and make up a problem that doesn’t really exist. Others try a positive spin and say you

It’s National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026. Welcome! Today kicks off the 28th year of the FTC joining with partner organizations to amplify the importance of consumer protection. This week

As the holiday season becomes an ever more distant memory, the holiday bills might not be. If you’re looking to pick up a side gig to make extra cash, pay down debt, or catch up on some bills, know

Unemployment benefits can be a life saver if you’re between jobs. But what happens if a scammer misuses your personal information, like your Social Security number (SSN) to file a fraudulent

Met someone new online…but you still haven’t met in person? With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it’s a great time to make sure you know how to recognize a romance scam.

If a debt collector calls, do you know what to do? You have rights. Debt collectors can’t harass, lie, or treat you unfairly — even if you owe the debt. Before you pay, confirm a debt is actually

For many, the beginning of the year is often a time for taking stock and planning for the year to come. If you’re looking for ways to strengthen your financing footing in the new year, the FTC’s

Your phone rings and what the caller says next sends you into a panic. They claim there’s fraud on your credit card, someone hacked your bank account, you owe a tax debt, or your benefits will end

It’s going to take time to recover from the winter storm that affected a large part of the country and left hundreds of thousands without power. You can be sure that, after a big storm like this one

While the gift-giving holidays are over, scammers still want gift card money. Some scammers might even reach out by pretending to be your boss and asking you to buy gift cards for them. But it’s a

Identity theft is one of the most-reported problems to the FTC every year. So, chances are, it’s affected you or someone you know. That’s why the FTC and its partners dedicate a week to raising

Tax season is approaching, and if you’re getting a refund, scammers are looking to steal it before you’ve had a chance to claim it. So, before you respond to a text or email about a “tax refund” —

You get a text message, supposedly following up on a $10,000 loan application. Only, you never applied for a loan. Is this pure luck or a scam? Before you use the callback number in the message to

Identity theft can happen anytime, to anyone. In fact, last year, more than a million people reported identity theft to the FTC. So, being ready to spot identity theft — and deal with it if it happens

We’re seeing a big wave of reports about phone scams claiming you owe back taxes. But it’s not the IRS calling, it’s a scammer using a company name like “Tax Resolution Oversight Department.” If

If there’s information on your credit report that’s correct but not so great, it can make it harder to get credit with good terms. But there are things you can do yourself for free to help fix your

Looking for some life hacks or advice about managing money? There’s no shortage of online influencers ready to help. But not all advice is good advice (or truthful). And in some cases, what they’re

If you’re taking stock of your finances, setting goals, and preparing for a fresh start in 2026, make protecting yourself against identity theft part of your 2026 planning. Why? Identity thieves can

Need better credit to do things like get a loan, buy a car, or rent an apartment? There are things you can do, but don’t believe a credit repair company that promises to remove accurate and up-to-date

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hosts free events like the National Veterans Golden Age Games to encourage older adults in the veteran community to get active for better health and wellness