AUTO WARRANTIES AND SERVICE CONTRACTS is an article that explains the differences between a warranty and a service contract, how to get the most out of a warranty, and how to know your rights and be alert to possible scams.
CAR DEALER ADS AND PROMOTIONS is an article about how to spot deceptive advertising and decide if the offer is a real deal. Dealers may claim unusually low prices or monthly payments, high trade-in allowances, discounts and rebates, and free or low-cost add-ons, like service contracts.
CHOOSING A VOCATIONAL SCHOOL OR CERTIFICATE PROGRAM is an article about how these programs, also known as trade or career schools, can be a great way to train for a variety of jobs. But not all of these programs are useful or legit, so it’s important to do your research before picking a program.
COMPETITION COUNTS: HOW CONSUMERS WIN WHEN BUSINESSES COMPETE is an article about price, selection, and service, and how consumers benefit through businesses keeping prices low and the quality and choice of goods and services high.
CONSUMER.GOV is a website designed to help people Manage and Use Money Wisely, Use Credit and Loans Carefully, and Protect Your Identity and Money. The educator toolkit includes lesson plans, worksheets, videos, and resources designed specifically to help immigrant communities.
CREDIT SCORES is an article about how your credit score affects whether a company will give you credit and how much you'll pay for it. Creditors use credit scoring systems to figure out if you’d be a good risk for credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, phone plans, and insurance.
DEBT COLLECTION FAQs is an article about how it's important to know your rights and what you need to do if you receive a call from a debt collector. The FTC enforces the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) which makes it illegal for debt collectors to use abusive, unfair, or deceptive practices.
EMPLOYER BACKGROUND CHECKS AND YOUR RIGHTS is an article about how Federal law and some state laws give you rights if you’re applying for a job or a promotion and an employer runs a background check. Employers must get your written permission and you have the right to say no, but if you do, you may not get the job.
FREE CREDIT REPORTS is an article about how and why it's a good idea to request your annual credit report. How to spot identity theft and report scams is also discussed.
GIFT CARD SCAMS is an article about when someone asks you to pay for something by putting money on a gift card and giving them the numbers on the back of the card. No real business or government agency will insist you pay with a gift card. Anyone who demands to be paid with a gift card is a scammer.
HOW STUDENT LOANS WORK AND HOW TO AVOID SCAMS in an article about paying for school, grants and scholarships, Federal work-study jobs, applying for financial aid, how to avoid student loan debt relief scams, and more.
HOW TO AVOID SCHOLARSHIP AND FINANCIAL AID SCAMS is an article about how continuing your education can help you but it can also be expensive, and scammers take advantage of that. They say they'll help you get financial aid or scholarships, but really they’re trying to steal your money or your identity.
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR CHILD FROM IDENTITY THEFT is an article about what child identity theft is, how to detect it, how to protect your child’s personal information, and what to do if someone steals your child’s identity.
IdentityTheft.gov is the federal government’s one-stop resource for identity theft victims. The site provides streamlined checklists and sample letters to guide you through the recovery process.
LOST OR STOLEN CREDIT, ATM AND DEBIT CARDS is an article about how federal law limits your liability for charges made without your permission, but your protection depends on the type of card — and when you report the loss.
MONEY MATTERS is a website with information and resources to learn – and teach others – how to tackle common money issues head-on, as well as how to spot, avoid, and report related frauds and scams that can affect your financial well-being.
ONLINE SHOPPING is an article about how even with technology we still need to comparison shop, read reviews, and check on the terms of a deal. With so many choices, it pays to do research before you buy, and keep records to make sure you can hold a seller to their promises.
RENTING A CAR is an article about how comparing prices online can save you a bundle when you rent a car. Learn how to compare the total cost — not just the advertised price. Fees and options can increase the base price dramatically.
SERVING COMMUNITIES OF COLOR is a research report about key differences in the way that fraud and other consumer problems affect communities of color, from the types of problems reported to the methods used to pay scammers. It also highlights the FTC’s law enforcement and outreach work addressing consumer protection issues facing communities of...
UNDERSTANDING YOUR CREDIT is an article about credit reports, credit scores, credit freezes, and credit monitoring. It explains how credit affects your ability to get a loan, a job, housing, insurance, and more.
USED CARS is an article about how to get a vehicle history report before you buy. Vehicle history reports might include ownership history, whether the car was in any accidents, its repair records, and whether it ever was declared as salvage.
VEHICLE REPOSSESSION is an article about when and how your vehicle can be repossessed and what you can do.
WARRANTIES is an article that describes a manufacturer's promise to stand behind its product. Read the warranty to see what is and isn’t covered, and what to do in case of problems. Warranties might cover a lot or a little, so be sure to look into the details.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT CRYPTOCURRENCY AND SCAMS is an article about what makes cryptocurrency different from other payment methods, and how to spot scams or detect cryptocurrency accounts that may be compromised.
