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DeVry refund update

Bridget Small
As part of the FTC’s settlement with DeVry University for deceptive advertising, the school agreed to pay $49.4 million to the FTC for partial refunds to some students. The FTC plans to mail checks
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Most ID theft victims don’t need a police report

Seena Gressin
When it comes to reporting and recovering from identity theft, we’re simplifying the process by eliminating the need for a police report in most cases. How does it work? When you report identity theft
Blog Post

There’s no Nintendo Switch emulator

Lisa Weintraub Schifferle
If you can’t get your hands on a Nintendo Switch gaming system, you may think an emulator is the next best thing. Think again. Online ads for emulators, sometimes with Nintendo branding, say they can
Blog Post

The IRS is now using private debt collectors

by Colleen Tressler
Do you have a debt with the IRS that’s more than two years old? If so, you might be getting a letter from the IRS about your account being transferred to a private debt collector. This new program
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FINRA Foundation’s Military Spouse Fellowship

FINRA
The FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship program is accepting applications through April 21, for the 2017 class. The Fellowship program certifies military spouses to provide financial
Blog Post

The FTC won’t offer to fix your computer

Will Maxson
Some cons send pop-up computer warnings to pitch unnecessary – and sometimes harmful – tech support services. Some make phone calls. Others – like one scammer the FTC just sued – send spam emails that
Blog Post

Free movies, costly malware

Will Maxson
“Something for nothing” sounds appealing, but often there’s a hidden cost. If the something is a site or app offering free downloads or streams of well-known movies, popular TV shows, big-league
Blog Post

FTC to host workshop protecting military consumers

Cristina Miranda
Servicemembers and veterans face unique challenges dealing with financial issues, managing their money, and avoiding scams. For servicemembers, frequent relocations mean regularly shopping for housing
Blog Post

Don’t let utility scams overpower you

Lisa Lake
When your electricity goes out, you lose power in more ways than one. Daily necessities are out of reach without lights, warm water, and heat or air conditioning. So if you get a call from someone
Blog Post

Upcoming Twitter chats

Carol Kando-Pineda
We’ve got some Twitter chats planned for servicemembers, families, and anyone who works with the military community. @MilConsumer and @DeptVetAffairs (Department of Veterans Affairs) will host a chat
Blog Post

Planting seeds for a financially literate future

Colleen Tressler
April showers bring May flowers. April also is a good time to plant seeds for a financially fit future. After all, April is Financial Literacy Month. Seeds of information from the Federal Trade
Blog Post

Don't bank on that check

Lisa Lake
Scammers know how to design phony checks to make them look legitimate. In fact, the Council of Better Business Bureaus just released a list of the most “risky” scams, based on how likely people are to
Blog Post

Lies, threats, debt collection: Tale of a few cities

Lisa Lake
When a debt collector harasses and threatens you, it can be downright distressing – and illegal. The FTC announced a complaint and settlement with American Municipal Services Corporation (AMS), which
Blog Post

Calls asking “Can you hear me now?”

Alesha Hernandez
Your phone rings and the caller ID shows a number you don’t know. You answer it anyway and hear, “Can you hear me now?” It’s a pre-recorded robocall – even though it sounds like a real person – and it
Blog Post

Scammers are not “friends” to small business owners

Rosario Méndez
Scammers try to contact you in many ways. They call, email, put ads online, send messages on social media and more. If you own a small business, they’re trying to contact you too. Lately we’ve been
Blog Post

Some invention-promotion firms do nothing for you

Rosario Méndez
Are you ready to patent and market an invention? If so, you may be looking for help – and bogus invention-promotion firms may be looking for you. Today, the FTC announced that it filed a lawsuit
Blog Post

Scammers even impersonate kidnappers

Alesha Hernandez
Imposters will pretend to be anyone to get you to send them money. Recently, reports of virtual child kidnapping imposter scam have resurfaced. The scam begins with a call from someone claiming to
Blog Post

Government imposters want to get to know you

Lisa Lake
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the FTC want you to know about a scam in which callers posing as federal employees are trying to get
Blog Post

Some online deals charge but don’t deliver

Rosario Méndez
Lots of people like to shop online. It's easy and sometimes faster than finding what you want at the local mall. With just a few clicks, your order is processed and your purchase could be on your
Blog Post

It’s National Consumer Protection Week 2017

Thomas Pahl
Welcome to National Consumer Protection Week 2017! March signals the start of Spring – a time of reassessment, growth and renewal that brings positive change. It’s also a good time to renew our