Avoid Scams When You Travel
Before you start your travel plans, learn common tactics scammers use that can ruin your entire trip.
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Shopping | Consumer Advice
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Shopping
What to know when you shop, compare warranties, or need to a resolve a customer problem.
Shopping Advice
How To Evaluate Online Reviews
Online reviews might help you decide what to buy or what company to hire. You should be able to trust that these reviews reflect the honest opinions of people who actually used a product or service. Unfortunately, some reviews are fake, deceptive, or manipulated — and that hurts both people and honest companies.
How To Report Suspicious Online Reviews
How to report suspicious online reviews across some popular websites.
Solving Problems
Refund and Recovery Scams
If you’ve been scammed, someone might promise to help you get your money back –– if you pay in advance. That’s another scam.
What To Do if You Were Scammed
Find out what to do if you paid someone you think is a scammer, or if you gave a scammer your personal information or access to your computer or phone.
Managing Debt
Auto Loan Refinancing Scams
Use caution when dealing with companies that promise to negotiate lower payments for your car loan if you pay them an advance fee.
From Consumer Alerts
Consumer Alert
That social media ad with super low prices on well-known brands could be a scam
BCP Staff
See an eye-catching “deal” on your social for a brand-name product at a big discount? Don’t click — it could be a scam. Here’s what to know.
Consumer Alert
LA Fitness made it difficult for people to cancel gym memberships, FTC says
BCP Staff
If you’re looking to join a gym, you’ll probably find the membership sign-up process is quick and easy. Cancelling should be easy, too — but sometimes businesses make you jump through hoops that make it nearly impossible to quit. That’s unlawful and costs people a lot of time and money. And that’s what the FTC alleges LA Fitness did to people who signed up for monthly gym subscriptions.
Consumer Alert
Avoid online JOANN impersonators and their fake sales
BCP Staff
You may have heard the news: JOANN Fabric & Craft stores are closing — and holding big clearance sales before they shut their doors. Looking to grab some deals? The real JOANN sales are only happening in person in their physical stores. But that hasn’t stopped scammers from setting up bogus websites with fraudulent deals claiming to give you 80-90% off. Here’s how to avoid these JOANN online impersonators.
Consumer Alert
FTC settlement order bans sales of Genshin Impact loot boxes to kids under 16 without their parents' consent
Andrew Rayo
If you don’t know what a loot box is, just ask any kid in your life to explain it. While you’re at it, ask them about the video game Genshin Impact. Then tell them about why the FTC just sued the game’s developer HoYoverse (Cognosphere Pte. Ltd and Cognosphere, LLC) for its confusing loot box system that costs players a LOT of money.
