Sorry to burst your bubble. That unexpected text from the Postal Service (USPS), Costco, or The Home Depot telling you about an unclaimed package or a survey you can complete to claim a freebie is NOT from them. It’s a scam. The FTC has seen a spike in reports from people getting text messages that look like they’re from well-known names like USPS, Costco, or The Home Depot and others. Spoiler Learn More about Don’t click on that random text. It’s a scam
Security
It’s financial literacy month: protect yourself from scammers
April kicks off Financial Literacy Month, which is often about managing your money and building savings. But this month, we want to talk about protecting what you have, and what you’re building, from scammers. Scammers are good at what they do. They target people of all backgrounds, ages, and income levels with sophisticated ways to steal your money and personal information. Read the full Learn More about It’s financial literacy month: protect yourself from scammers
Spilling the tea on the latest COVID-19 cure claim
Wouldn’t it be nice if all you had to do to get rid of COVID-19 was drink some tea? Well, selling people easy, feel good products — without competent scientific evidence — is something scammers are good at — and the FTC is working aggressively to stop them. Continue reading the article by clicking here. Learn More about Spilling the tea on the latest COVID-19 cure claim
Avoid marketing scams during 2022 Medicare Open Enrollment
During Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period (OEP), which begins on October 15 and ends December 7, Medicare beneficiaries can choose the plans that are best for them for 2022. You can get help comparing Medicare plans from your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), available in each U.S. state, territory, and the District of Columbia. Private insurance companies administer, market, Learn More about Avoid marketing scams during 2022 Medicare Open Enrollment
Paid someone you think is a scammer?
Scammers can be very convincing. They call, email, and send text messages trying to get our money or personal information. They often target specific communities, including Latinos, and frequently use scare tactics. And, unfortunately, they're good at what they do. So if you’ve already paid someone you think is a scammer, what’s your next step? Click here to read the full Learn More about Paid someone you think is a scammer?
How to spot, stop, and report post-disaster scams
Whether you’re starting to assess the damage from Hurricane Ida, the recent flooding in Tennessee, the wildfires in the West, or another natural disaster, coping with the aftermath is never easy. But when scammers target people just trying to recover, it can be even worse. Here are ways to help you avoid common post-disaster scams. Continue reading the full article here. *The Learn More about How to spot, stop, and report post-disaster scams
What to do when someone steals your identity
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? That’s identity theft. Read the full article> Learn More about What to do when someone steals your identity
How can you spot a tech support scam?
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? Read the full article Learn More about How can you spot a tech support scam?
What to do when you (and your kids) are online at home
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 start of a new school year is a good time to double-check your online set-up at home, since lots of people might depend on it. Here are a few things to check or consider. Continue reading Learn More about What to do when you (and your kids) are online at home
Scams in between stimulus packages
As we publish this post, a second stimulus package has not yet been finalized by Congress. While there’s a lot we don’t know, we DO know a few things about what scammers do when this kind of uncertainty is in the headlines. If there’s another stimulus payment, you won’t have to pay to get it. Just like last time. Nobody will call to ask for your Social Security, bank account, or credit card Learn More about Scams in between stimulus packages