FTC Consumer Blog

By BCP Staff Are you the parent of a fur baby? Then you know how tough it is when your cat, dog, or other adorable pet is sick, in pain, or injured. You’d do anything for them. Scammers are using that feeling to steal your hard-earned money. Read more >

By BCP Staff The FTC is cracking down on companies that attempt to manipulate or deceive people seeking treatment for addiction. For those who need it, getting quick and accurate information on addiction treatment might be life-saving. But quick and accurate information is not, the FTC alleges, what people got from Evoke Wellness. Read more >

By BCP Staff Social media can be a great way to connect with new friends, but it’s a different story when someone approaches you to be friends and then asks for money. That’s no friend — that’s a scammer. Read more >

By BCP Staff When it comes to protecting your identity, you might think about keeping usernames to yourself, using strong passwords, and reviewing your statements. That’s all great. But it’s also important to think about what you do with documents or digital files that contain your financial information. So, let’s look at what you should keep and lock up, and what you should shred or delete. Read more >

By BCP Staff To paraphrase Taylor Swift, buying concert tickets shouldn’t feel like a bear attack. But for many people hoping to see their favorite artist, sports team, or theatrical cast live, scoring tickets before they sell out can seem impossible. Why? Sometimes there just aren’t enough tickets available for everyone who wants to go. But sometimes, you might be competing with people who break the rules. Read more >

By BCP Staff Paying off student loan debt takes time. That’s why getting a call from someone who says they can help you get your loans forgiven now (for a fee) might sound appealing. Is it really relief or just a scam? Read more >

By BCP Staff When you’re looking to contact a business, you’re probably used to going to Google (or some other search engine) and searching for it online. That can also be true if you or someone you care about is looking for a clinic that treats substance use disorders. Unfortunately, some dishonest businesses are taking advantage. Here’s what to know. Read more >

By BCP Staff Can you spot an investment scam if it comes from an actual friend’s page on social media? If someone you know is suddenly posting bank account screenshots, claiming they can teach you to make money quickly with little to no risk, it’s likely an investment scam. Keep scrolling to learn how to recognize the signs. Read more >

By BCP Staff Scammers impersonating the government — including the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) — is nothing new. But here’s a twist: scammers are now calling themselves FTC “agents” and supplying fake badge numbers and ID cards to try to convince you they are who they say they are. (…They’re not who they say they are. The FTC doesn’t have “agents.”) So how do you avoid scams like this? Read more >

By BCP Staff Did you recently get an email about your federal student loans? Not sure about the status of your federal student loans? Start by logging in to StudentAid.gov. You’ll see information about your loan servicer and how to reach them. If you have questions or need help with your loans, contact your servicer directly. Read more >