ARE CAR ADS TAKING YOU FOR A RIDE? explains how the law requires that if a dealer advertises discounts, prices, or special low payments, the ads must clearly explain the important details of the offers and how a buyer may qualify for them. It includes how to spot a deceptive car ad, a list of questions to ask, and tips to know before signing a ...
AUTO SERVICE CONTRACTS AND WARRANTIES explains the differences between service contracts and warranties. Discusses key terms: cost, coverage, claims, and buyer responsibilities. Get tips on how to recognize and avoid auto warranty scams.
AUTO WARRANTIES & ROUTINE MAINTENANCE teaches students about misconceptions regarding where they must take their new car for routine service and repairs in order to be covered under their vehicle warranty. It also includes tips everyone should know when buying a car warranty.
BACKGROUND CHECKS is a brochure that teaches students how bad credit can affect their ability to get more credit and to get or keep a job. The information explains how employers often use a credit report when they hire and evaluate employees for promotion, reassignment or retention. A video is also included for review.
BUYING A NEW CAR is on online article and video that discusses pricing terms, financing options, trade-ins, and service contracts, and includes a worksheet that students can use when buying a car.
CHILD IDENTITY THEFT explains how to protect your child's personal information against theft, and what to do if your child’s credit report shows the child’s information is being misused.
CHOOSING A VOCATIONAL SCHOOL explains that while many private vocational schools are reputable and teach skills necessary to get a job, others make promises they do not deliver. The booklet describes common deceptive practices and lists considerations students should make before enrolling.
COMPARING PRODUCTS ONLINE gives students tips to help them avoid spending more than they have to or responding to posted offers by scammers. It includes a Shopping Online Infographic.
COMPETITION COUNTS: HOW CONSUMERS WIN WHEN BUSINESSES COMPETE explains that competition in America is about price, selection, and service and teaches students how they benefit through businesses keeping prices low and the quality and choice of goods and services high.
CONSUMER.GOV - WHAT TO KNOW AND DO is designed to provide financial literacy help for educators and students. Topics include Managing Your Money; Credit, Loans and Debt; and Scams and Identity Theft. It also includes a Toolbox with lesson plans, worksheets, presentations, videos, and resources to help immigrant communities.
CREDIT AND YOUR CONSUMER RIGHTS is an online brochure that gives a brief explanation of consumer rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Credit Billing Act, the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. It provides tips for solving credit problems.
CREDIT CARD LOSS PROTECTION teaches students about the risks of telephone scams regarding worthless credit card protection and insurance programs. The article also discusses the importance of following your cried card issuer's procedures and not paying for charges you didn't make.
CREDIT SCORES is designed to teach students about the credit scoring systems that creditors and insurance companies use to decide whether to issue credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, insurance policies and phone services, and on what terms. A higher credit score is taken to mean less risk, which in turn means you are more likely to get credit...
DEBT COLLECTION teaches students about consumer rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, what debt collectors may and may not do, and how and where to complain if you are harassed, threatened, or abused.
EXTENDED WARRANTIES AND SERVICE CONTRACTS explains that if you’re buying a car, an electronic device, or a major appliance, you may be offered the chance to buy an “extended warranty” or service contract. Both service contracts and warranties provide repair or maintenance for a specific time.
FREE CREDIT REPORTS explains how, why, and when to request copies of your free annual credit report. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide credit reporting companies to provide credit reports, which include information on where you live, how you pay your bills, and whether you’ve been sued or filed for bankruptcy....
GIFT CARDS shows students what to look for when you receive a gift card, especially the terms and conditions of the card's use. For example, treat the card as cash and use the card as soon as you can, before the expiration date. A video is also included.
HEADS UP: STOP. THINK. CLICK. is an online FTC guide for kids that gives them the tools they need to safely learn and play online. It asserts that while the internet opens doors to many opportunities, it comes with certain risks. This brochure is a companion piece to the parents' guide, NET CETERA.
HOW BUYING PLANS WORK teaches students how to protect themselves against buying plans they no longer want to be a part of, as well as explaining the finer points of what buying plans are and why consumers purchase them.
IDENTITYTHEFT.GOV is the FTC's comprehensive online guide designed to help victims report and recover from identity theft. It includes checklists, sample letters, credit bureau contact and consumer rights information, and steps to create a personal recovery plan.
JUST FOR YOU - FINANCIAL EDUCATORS is an online destination for comprehensive consumer information that you can print, copy, post, or link to freely. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) resources can be shared with students, friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors. Use your social networking skills or order free materials to give away.
LOST OR STOLEN CREDIT, ATM AND DEBIT CARDS provides tips for protecting your credit and ATM cards, limiting your financial loss, and buying a registration service. The Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) and the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA) are discussed.
NET CETERA: CHATTING WITH KIDS ABOUT BEING ONLINE is an online toolkit that offers free resources to help you teach people in your community about kids’ online safety. This kit has the resources and information you need to convey key points about kids' online safety.
PREPAID PHONE CARDS explains how prepaid phone cards work. It lists common consumer complaints and questions you should ask before you buy a phone card. It cautions that some prepaid cards have hidden costs such as disconnect and expiration fees.
PRIVACY CHOICES FOR YOUR PERSONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION explains that many companies you do business with are required to give you privacy notices that explain their information-sharing practices.
PROTECTING AGAINST CREDIT CARD FRAUD identifies steps to make it more difficult for a crook to get your credit card or card numbers. It provides tips on how to report losses and fraud as well as to how to protect yourself against fraud.
RENTAL LISTING SCAMS cautions consumers who are searching for rental property to avoid being a victim of a rental scam. Signs of scams include asking you to wire money, and asking for a security deposit before you have signed the lease.
RENTING A CAR outlines points to consider and questions to ask when you rent a car. It explains key terms: collision damage waiver, personal accident insurance, personal effects coverage, and fees such as mileage fees and airport surcharges.
SCHOLARSHIP AND FINANCIAL AID SCAMS highlights pitches made by unscrupulous companies.
SHOPPING TIPS offers suggestions to help you get the most for your money. Examples include comparing prices in stores and online, and asking about refund and return policies on sale items.
STUDENT LOANS explains that whether you’re taking out a new student loan or consolidating existing education loans, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) & the U.S. Department of Education (ED), the agency that oversees federal student loans, want you to know how to spot deceptive claims or business practices some private companies may use.
USED CARS is a FTC webpage that provides information on how to get a vehicle history and steps for used car shopping, including tips to understand vehicle financing, car loan modification scams, auto service contracts and warranties, and how to determine the value of the vehicle, and related blog posts.
USING A CREDIT CARD explains your rights and responsibilities under the law. The online article addresses refunds, errors on your bill, how to dispute a charge, and unauthorized charges.
USING LAYAWAY PLANS explains how these plans work. This online publication recommends getting the merchant's layaway policy in writing and keeping good records of the payments you make.
VEHICLE REPOSSESSION discusses your creditor's rights in seizing and reselling your car for nonpayment and explains deficiency: the difference between what you owe on your loan and what your creditor gets for reselling your car.
WARRANTIES provides a way to compare written warranties that can make a difference in your purchasing decisions.
YOU ARE HERE – FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION (FTC) MICROSITE FOR KIDS takes kids to the virtual shopping mall where they find games and activities that let them experience advertising, competition, and the mission of the Federal Trade Commission.
