The weather is getting warmer, and you might be itching to travel again. The mountains, the beach, and the trails are calling you — and everyone else. At least that’s what it feels like when you start looking into renting a car. With rental car availability at an all-time low, prices are sky high. So, …
The Federal Trade Commission is returning more than $172 million to consumers who overpaid for merchandise they purchased using rent-to-own plans provided by Progressive Leasing. More than two million consumers will receive refund checks. The FTC’s complaint against the company, filed in April 2020, alleged that Progressive misled consumers about the true price of items purchased through its plans. …
Have you gotten a recorded phone message from “Susie” with the “Vehicle Service Department” calling about your vehicle warranty? That’s, like,so retro. But fanny packs, scrunchies, and tie dye are back — and so are vehicle warranty robocalls. It starts when you pick up a call and hear a recorded message saying something about your …
Cryptocurrency has gotten lots of attention as a new way to invest. But here’s the thing: scammers are taking advantage of people’s understanding (or not) of cryptocurrency investments, and how they work. And younger people are losing big. In fact, the FTC’s new data spotlight shows that, since October 2020, nearly 7,000 people reported losses …
The FTC reports a dramatic rise in cryptocurrency scams Read More »
During this past year, the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic fallout have reminded us how important it is to help each other through difficult times. Here are some things to share: COVID-19 vaccines are free. If anyone charges you for help signing up or the shot itself, it’s a scam. Scammers may pose as the …
Florida’s current auto insurance system is broken, which is why Florida drivers pay 81 percent more than other drivers nationwide. With one in four Florida drivers uninsured and underinsured, we are long overdue for responsibility-based auto insurance in Florida. Last week, the Florida Legislature passed legislation that reduces auto insurance rates for the vast majority of …
As part of our ongoing efforts to protect you from sellers of scam COVID-19 treatments, the FTC has sent 30 warning letters to companies that claimed their products can prevent, treat, or cure COVID-19. These letters gave the sellers 48 hours to notify the FTC of the specific actions they have taken to address the …
FTC continues to crack down on companies peddling fake COVID treatments and cures Read More »
Fraudsters Target Pandemic Assistance Programs Fraudulent unemployment claims filed in the US are surging during the COVID-19 pandemic as scammers take advantage of government unemployment assistance. Scammers are applying for unemployment benefits in victims’ names and getting the cash deposited into their own bank accounts. Since the onset of the pandemic, more than $89 billion …
Unemployment Scams are Surging: Here’s Tips to Keep Yourself Safe Read More »
The Federal Trade Commission is sending full refunds totaling more than $11 million to consumers who lost money to a bogus credit card interest rate reduction scheme operated by E.M. Systems & Services. The FTC and the State of Florida alleged that the company’s owners, Steven D. Short and Karissa L. Dyar, used a variety of phony …
$11M in Refunds to Consumers Affected by Credit Card Interest Rate Reduction Scam Read More »
When it comes to scammers, nothing is sacred — including the bond between grandparent and grandchild. Lately, grandparent scammers have gotten bolder: they might even come to your door to collect money, supposedly for your grandchild in distress. These kinds of scams still start with a call from someone pretending to be your grandchild. They …
