FTC Consumer Blog

By BCP Staff Summer is a popular time to move to a new place, so you might be on the hunt right now. Looking for apartments or houses online is convenient, but that’s where many rental scams start. If you think you’ve found the perfect price in a great location, know how to spot a rental scam — before you commit to a rental. Read more >

By BCP Staff While scrolling through social media, you might come across a video or post discussing an “opportunity” to make money using checks. The problem? That advice could get you in trouble. Read more >

By BCP Staff Talking with your kids about your family’s rules and expectations is key to helping them establish good online habits. Some parents use parental controls to reinforce those good habits — and create safer online spaces for their kids to learn and play. Read more >

By BCP Staff Scammers posing as government agencies or well-known businesses are increasingly going after retirees’ life savings. They weave a web of lies about some bogus crisis. Then they trick older adults into giving them tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Read more >

By BCP Staff Are you looking to get or switch your health insurance? Know that some dishonest marketers might lie about what your plan would cover, make it seem like they’re selling health insurance when you’re really just getting a discount plan, or try to sell you something else entirely. Read more >

By BCP Staff Back to school is a great time to start having conversations with your family about creating good online habits. Rather than telling kids what they should or shouldn’t do online, consider making it a parent versus kids challenge. Find out who in your house knows more about protecting their personal information online — and bring in a little healthy competition. Read more >

By BCP Staff Scammers are still pretending to be the police, calling to say you’ve missed jury duty and need to pay. But in a new twist, some scammers are now telling you to visit a website to enter your personal information — all so they can steal it and your money. Read more >

By BCP Staff You get an unexpected message on WhatsApp, Telegram, text, or social media. The person says you can make quick money online doing tasks. It sounds simple, and the message says you’ll get paid right away. But this could be a scam. Read on to find out how to spot and avoid them. Read more >

By BCP Staff Do you know someone who might need to brush up on their money management skills? Or learn to spot and avoid scams? Back-to-school season is a good time to get to work on learning. Whether you’re a student, a parent, or just looking to sharpen your skills, you can learn how to protect your money and personal information. The FTC’s consumer.gov has free, reliable information in plain language to help you get started. Read more >

By BCP Staff Having a lot of debt can be stressful at any age. But if you’re retired or about to live on a fixed income, paying off debt can sometimes be more challenging. As you explore your options, know that scammers might promise to take away your debt — for a fee. If you pay them before they help you, you’ll likely lose money instead of getting a fresh start. So, what’s the best way to pay down debt while avoiding scams? Read more >