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Consumer Alert

Why report fraud?

Traci Armani
Scams come in many forms: texts, emails, letters, and lots of calls. Scammers plot schemes from tech support scams to fake check scams to try to knock us off balance just long enough to take advantage
Consumer Alert

What to do if someone steals your identity

Traci Armani
You know that protecting your identity and personal information is important. And you also know that taking steps to avoid identity theft can make a big difference. But if someone steals your identity
Consumer Alert

The FTC Chairman is not writing to you

Karen Hobbs
If you saw an email from FTC Chairman Joseph Simons, it wasn’t. From him, that is. Scammers pretending to be him are emailing, though. They’re trying to trick you into turning over personal
Consumer Alert

What to do when someone steals your identity

Traci Armani
Did someone use your personal information to open up a new mobile account or credit card? Or maybe buy stuff with one of your existing accounts? Or did they file for unemployment or taxes in your name
Consumer Alert

How can you spot a tech support scam?

Traci Armani
Are you getting pop-up warning messages on your computer screen? Or maybe a phone call that your computer has a virus? That may well be a tech support scam. But how do you know? And what do you do
Consumer Alert

What to do when you (and your kids) are online at home

Jennifer Leach
If you have kids in school, there’s a good chance they’re kicking off their school year…in your living room. All the while, you might be working away, yourself, in some carved out corner at home. The
Consumer Alert

Kohl’s must give records to identity theft victims

Bridget Small
Imagine a thief used your information to buy things at Kohl’s – or used your Kohl’s credit card to go on a shopping spree. You’d want to get the records to prove it and clear up your good name. The
Consumer Alert

Are the apps your children use illegally marketing to them?

Jim Kreidler
Kids love to play video games — in apps, on mobile devices and online with friends. And when kids play games, it is unlawful to collect their personal information without parental consent. According
Consumer Alert

Military Data Spotlight: Identity theft and servicemembers

Emma Fletcher
Every year, thousands of servicemembers report to us about their consumer experiences. Those reports are the focus of the FTC’s Data Spotlight, Identity theft causing outsized harm to our troops. From
Consumer Alert

Hang up on tech support calls

Jim Kreidler
It can be frustrating to have problems with your computer, especially now that so many people are working from home. But if you get a call from someone claiming to be a Microsoft technician, saying
Consumer Alert

Remote learning and children’s privacy

Lisa Weintraub Schifferle
“Social distancing,” “shelter-in-place,” “virtual happy hour” – these are some of the new expressions on everyone’s lips the past few weeks. For many kids, parents, and teachers, add “remote learning”
Consumer Alert

Avoiding SSA scams during COVID-19

Jim Kreidler
While some of you are home, practicing social distancing and frequent hand washing to avoid the Coronavirus, remember that scammers are still busy trying to take advantage of people. Some scammers are
Consumer Alert

Online security tips for working from home

Lisa Weintraub Schifferle
Teleworking during the Coronavirus outbreak? While working from home can help slow the spread of the virus, it brings new challenges: juggling work while kids are home from school; learning new
Consumer Alert

Is that text message about your FedEx package really a scam?

Alvaro Puig
You may be skeptical when someone you don’t know sends you a text message you didn’t expect and it tells you to click on a link. Maybe that little voice in your head starts talking to you. I know mine
Consumer Alert

Upgrading Your Phone? 4 Things You Should Do First

Alvaro Puig
If you’re thinking about upgrading to a new phone, make sure you remove your personal information before you trade it in. Why? Because your phone could have a lot of sensitive, personal information on
Consumer Alert

What you can do to fend off hackers

Alvaro Puig
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
Consumer Alert

SIM Swap Scams: How to Protect Yourself

Alvaro Puig
Consumer Alert: Mobile carriers are shutting down their 3G networks. If you have an older cell phone, you may not be able to call or text. The FCC has advice about what to do. If your cell phone is
Consumer Alert

YouTube pays big for tracking kids

Lisa Weintraub Schifferle
Does your child love YouTube videos? Did you know that while little Susie was watching her favorite shows, YouTube was collecting data and using it to send her targeted ads? Under a settlement with
Consumer Alert

The latest news on romance scams

Jim Kreidler
If you’ve seen the news, ‘romance scammers’ are among the eighty defendants indicted today by the Department of Justice in a scheme that stole millions from Americans. Check out this video about how
Consumer Alert

Parental Advisory: Dating Apps

Lisa Weintraub Schifferle
Parents be warned: some dating apps – like FastMeet, Meet24 and Meet4U – allow adults to find and communicate with children. Concerned parents should remove these apps if they’re on children’s devices