FTC

Nearly 700 marketing companies are on the chopping block after the Federal Trade Commission issued a warning saying they will not hesitate to use their authority to target companies whose products don't match their claims.

After announcing a settlement in a case against American Vehicle Protection, the Federal Trade Commission offered consumers some important advice if they're receiving unwanted calls about extended auto warranties.

The Federal Trade Commission said it recently sent 24 cease and desist letters to eye doctors after getting reports they may have violated the Contact Lens Rule by ignoring important rights of patients.

The Federal Trade Commission on Thursday announced a new claims process to return money to thousands of former AT&T customers as a result of a $60 million settlement with AT&T.

Following hurricanes Ian and Nicole, the Federal Trade Commission is warning potential buyers of how to steer clear of a flood-damaged car.

Have you ever been unhappy with a service — like your phone or Internet — and tried to cancel it? But, when you tried, you found it difficult or nearly impossible?

The Federal Trade Commission has filed a lawsuit that alleges the website “Credit Karma” deceived people by falsely claiming that they had been “pre-approved” or had “90% odds” of approval for credit cards or loans.

After President Biden announced his plan for student loan relief Wednesday, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is warning consumers about potential scams.

The Federal Trade Commission wants to send a reminder about some rights related to credit and discrimination.

“I received a notification from my bank that said your Venmo transaction of $1,800 has been approved right after that. It said your Venmo of $2,000 has been approved 3,800 total.” Frasier recalls.

Scammers have been reaching out to people, pretending to be companies that offer at-home employment.

Consumers in 2021 reported losing about $770 million to fraud initiated on social media—about one-fourth of all reported fraud losses for the year and an 18-fold increase from 2017, according to the Federal Trade Commission’s latest Consumer Protection Data Spotlight.

The Federal Trade Commission is cracking down to make sure the online reviews you read before buying a product are true.

The Federal Trade Commission is demanding 25 companies stop promising you products that prevent or treat COVID-19.

No matter what anyone tells you, you can’t buy COVID-19 vaccines online and there’s no out-of-pocket cost to get the shots.

Did you get a bill for a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan, but you didn’t apply for one? It’s possible that an identity thief applied for the loan using your personal or business information. The SBA has new guidance about reporting the fraud, and the FTC has tips to help you clear up any credit problems it may cause. The SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance has been issuing the loans under its COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Keep these invoices until the SBA has finished reviewing your identity theft report.

Think back, if you can, to the last time you tried to buy tickets online to go to a concert, a game, or a play. Ticket bots may also be a factor. They also might use bots to cheat the ticketing system and bypass ticket limits or to buy tickets using fake names and addresses. Congress passed the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act to address these problems. The Federal Trade Commission settled three cases with companies that violated the BOTS Act.

You might be one of the nine million people getting a letter from the IRS letting you know how to register on their website to claim your payment by Oct. 15, 2020. If you get this letter from the IRS, it’s legit. Go only to the IRS’s real website at IRS.gov/EIP or call them directly at 800-919-9835 to register to claim your payment. But if someone claiming to be from the IRS calls, emails or texts about helping you get your stimulus payment, that person is running a government imposter scam on you. And be sure to tell the FTC if someone pretending to be from the government contacts you.

Finding ways to lower those bills -- sometimes by simply calling your credit card company directly and asking for a lower rate -- can save you lots of cash. So what about those companies that call with a guaranteed credit card interest rate reduction offer (for a small fee) and a promise to save you thousands of dollars? Their goal, says the FTC, was to sell a bogus credit card interest rate reduction service. Heres how to protect yourself from this type of scam:The best way to get a lower credit card interest rate is to do it yourself for free. Did you spot a credit card interest rate reduction scam, or get a robocall?

People learn about the fraud when they get a notice from their state unemployment benefits office or their employer about their supposed application for benefits. Report the fraud to your state unemployment benefits agency. These include placing a free, one-year fraud alert on your credit, getting your free credit reports, and closing any fraudulent accounts opened in your name. These include placing a free, one-year fraud alert on your credit, getting your free credit reports, and closing any fraudulent accounts opened in your name. If you get benefits you never applied for, report it to your state unemployment agency and ask for instructions.

Hey college students: Even though you’re likely far from campus, scammers are still trying to find you, the Federal Trade Commission warns. Maybe you or your friends have gotten an email claiming to be from the “Financial Department” of your university. Don’t click on a link. Don’t click on a link. While some phishing emails look completely legit, bad grammar and spelling can be a tip-off to phishing.

Most legitimate shelters and rescue leagues post their adoption fees online and they wont ask you to pay additional unexpected fees. If you stick with a local organization, you may not have to pay until you pick up your new pet. Most legitimate shelters and rescue leagues post their adoption fees online and they wont ask you to pay additional unexpected fees. Then research the seller online. Then research the seller online.

Thats why the three national credit reporting agencies are giving people weekly access to monitor their credit report -- for free. Your credit report has information about your credit history and payment history -- information that lenders, creditors, and other businesses use when giving you loans or credit. Thats because everyone is eligible to get free weekly credit reports from the three national credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, and Transunion. The credit reporting agencies are making these reports free for the next year. Notify the credit reporting agencies directly.

People who had contact with someone infected with COVID-19 may first get a text message from the health department, telling them theyll get a call from a specific number. But scammers, pretending to be contact tracers and taking advantage of how the process works, are also sending text messages. Unlike a legitimate text message from a health department, which only wants to let you know theyll be calling, this message includes a link to click. There are several ways you can filter unwanted text messages or stop them before they reach you. Your wireless provider may have a tool or service that lets you block text messages.

But, while you’re focused on getting a loan, scammers may be focused on you: hoping to trick you into giving them sensitive business information, like your bank account numbers, employees’ Social Security numbers, and even your money. Here are some “dos” and “don’ts” to help you stay clear of scammers as you apply for a small business loan. You don’t have to pay up front to get an SBA loan. The SBA won’t call unsolicited to find out information about you or your business, or to ask you to apply for a loan. It’s a The SBA won’t call unsolicited to find out information about you or your business, or to ask you to apply for a loan.

That’s why the FTC rolled out a fun, new way to help you spot scammers: scam bingo. The FTC wants you to share your bingo card on social media, so when you get a call from a scammer, you can recognize something sounds fishy and spread the word to help protect others in your community. And, when you have bingo, share it with the FTC on Facebook or Twitter, and with News4Jax. Even if you don’t play the game, the FTC asks you to report scams at ftc.gov/complaint. And remember, if you get a call or email offer that sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The new coronavirus has infected more than 40,000 people globally and killed over 900. Now, the U.S. government is concerned about scammers who want to take advantage of fears surrounding the virus. According to the FTC, the emails and posts may contain fake information about cases in your neighborhood or they may ask you to donate to patients. Here are some tips to protect yourself:If you receive any suspicious emails, phone calls or text messages about the coronavirus, report them to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. As of Monday, according to the Office of Attorney General Ashley Moody, there have been no local coronavirus scams.

The Federal Trade Commission is partnering with the U.S. Census Bureau to help you guard against potential census scams. The ProcessIn mid-March 2020, the Census Bureau will start mailing out (and, in some areas, hand delivering) invitations to participate in the 2020 Census. Starting in May 2020, census takers will start visiting homes that haven’t responded to make sure everyone is counted. If you aren’t home or can’t come to the door, the census taker will come back up to six times. For the full list of questions on the 2020 Census, visit Questions Asked.