University of Phoenix students get payments

March 24, 2021by Bridget Small Division of Consumer & Business Education

The FTC is sending a total of almost $50 million to nearly 147,500 students of the University of Phoenix. The money comes from the University’s 2019 settlement with the FTC, when the FTC charged the school with using deceptive ads to attract students. According to the FTC, the ads gave the false impression that the University worked with companies like AT&T, Yahoo!, and Microsoft to create job opportunities for students and to shape its programs for the jobs. (Just to be clear: they didn’t.)

These payments are going to students who did not already get their debt cancelled by the University of Phoenix as part of the settlement. These students also meet these requirements:

• They first enrolled in an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree program at the University of Phoenix between October 15, 2012 and December 31, 2016;
• They paid more than $5,000 to the University (using cash, student loans, military benefits, or a combination);
• They did not object when the University of Phoenix sent them a notice asking if it could give their information to the FTC. 

The average payment is $337. Most students will get a check in the mail. It’ll come from the FTC’s refund administrator, Rust Consulting. The checks will expire after 90 days, on June 22, 2021. But about 700 students will get payment through PayPal. The FTC will send an email to people who will get PayPal payments before PayPal sends the payment. Those payments will be available for 30 days, until April 22, 2021. Learn more about University of Phoenix payments and the FTC refund program.

If you think you might be getting a payment, know this: the FTC will never ask you to pay or give sensitive information before it sends you a payment. Not your Social Security, bank account, or credit card number. If someone says they’re from the FTC, but they ask for money, that’s a scam. If you spot a scam, fraud or bad business practice, please tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Help fight COVID vaccine scams: Share these tips with those you know

March 2, 2021
by Colleen Tressler Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC

Since the start of the pandemic, people are spending a lot more time alone at home. What’s more, there’s a lot of confusion about when, how, and where to sign up and get vaccinated. Add those two things together, and you get scammers taking advantage and spreading false information, hoping isolated people will believe their lies.  

 As you may have noticed from yesterday’s blog, this week we’re focusing on ways you can connect with people who are isolated while fighting fraud at the same time. Today, we’re highlighting tips you can share to help people avoid COVID vaccine scams.

• Don’t pay to sign up for the COVID vaccine. Anyone who asks for a payment to put you on a list, make an appointment for you, or reserve a spot in line is a scammer.
• You can’t pay to get early access to the vaccine. That’s a scam.
• On Medicare? You don’t have to pay to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Only scammers will ask you to pay.
• Ignore sales ads for the vaccine. You can’t buy it – anywhere. It’s only available at federal- and state-approved locations.
• Nobody legit will call, text, or email about the vaccine and ask for your Social Security, bank account, or credit card number. That’s a scam.

Now that you know fact from fiction, share what you know, and ask others to do the same. Sometimes a friendly call and conversation is all it takes to brighten someone’s day, help them feel connected, and ease their worry and confusion.

• Learn more about COVID-related scams at ftc.gov/coronavirus/scams.
• Sign up for consumer alerts at ftc.gov/alerts.
• Tell us about scams you’re seeing at ReportFraud.ftc.gov

Thanks for being a friendly fraud fighter!

When it comes to scams, let’s look out for one another

March 1, 2021
by Daniel Kaufman
Acting Director, Bureau of Consumer Protection

This pandemic has brought lots of side effects. Lost jobs, lost income, and lost homes are themes we see around the country — and scammers know just how to take advantage of these worries. Another side effect of the pandemic is isolation, which scammers also like to use to their advantage. During National Consumer Protection Week, which starts today, I’m asking you to join me in fighting isolation to fight scams.

The FTC knows that people who talk about scams are much less likely to fall for them. So, when people of any age are on their own too much, they don’t have the chance to talk things out. And when scammers — who are calling, emailing, and texting — might be a person’s main source of contact, nothing good happens next.

So, today, pick up the phone. Call someone you haven’t talked with in a while. Maybe somebody who might be too much alone. See how they’re doing. And work into the conversation these ideas:

• Scammers have lots of fake stories: early or guaranteed access to vaccines (no such thing), you’ve won a prize (you haven’t), your computer needs tech support (it doesn’t), they’re an online love interest (not if they want money).
• Whatever their story, scammers want you to pay or share your personal information.
• Nobody legit will ever (EVER) tell you to pay by gift card, money transfer, or cryptocurrency.
• No government agency will ever call/email/text to ask you for money, your Social Security, bank account, or credit card number.

After you’ve reached out and shared these ideas, invite your friend or relative to call you back: just to talk, or if something fishy comes up and they want a second opinion. And if someone paid a scammer, please tell them to report it: ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Tune in this week for more key scams to warn people about. We’ll help you start those conversations.

Free winter weather emergency tips from the FTC

February 23, 2021
by Colleen Tressler
Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC

Winter this year is turning out to have its own set of weather-related emergencies — and right now, all in the midst of a pandemic. Lots of us are really ready for the winter of 2021 to be over. But while we’re waiting, why not prepare (or see if you might already be prepared) for a weather-related emergency?

The FTC’s site, Dealing with Weather Emergencies, has free practical tips to help you prepare for, deal with, and recover from a weather emergency like our friends across the South are seeing. It’s mobile-friendly, so you’ll have ready access to information when and where you need it.

The page has four sections:

• Preparing for a Weather Emergency
• Staying Alert to Disaster-related Scams
• Getting Back on Your Feet Financially
• Resources

Active in your community? There’s a customizable one-page handout, Picking Up the Pieces after a Disaster, with key tips drawn from the FTC’s site. You can add local consumer protection and emergency service contacts and post downloadable copies for public access throughout your community.

They give love a bad name

February 12, 2021
by Jim Kreidler
Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

Leaving broken hearts and empty bank accounts, romance scammers give love a bad name. Now that you know how many people experience romance scams, and how to spot the scams, take some anti-scam action this Valentine’s Day. Whether you’re wondering if that interesting person who just messaged you is for real, looking forward to February 15 discounts on chocolates, or thinking about friends who are out in the online dating world, here are some messages to know and share about romance scams.

• If an online love interest you’ve never met in person asks you for money, that’s a scam. No matter what story they tell you.
• Never send money or gifts to anyone you haven’t met in person — even if they send you money first.
• Only scammers tell you to buy gift cards, wire money, or buy cryptocurrency. And once you send that money, you won’t get it back.
• Talk to someone you trust about your new love interest, and pay attention if they’re concerned. 
• Report romance scams to the dating or social networking site, and to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Learn more at ftc.gov/romancescams. And share this blog series, video, and graphics with people who might need it — even if you don’t.

Achy fakey heart

February 11, 2021
by Jim Kreidler
Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

You’ve heard of romance scams. But do you know how they happen? They start when scammers create fake profiles on dating apps or social media. Then, those scammers strike up a relationship with their targets and work to build trust. Sometime later, they make up a story and ask for money.

So how do you spot a romance scammer? Here are some things to watch for:

• Any love interest who asks you to give them money on a gift card, by money transfer, or cryptocurrency is a scammer. Period.
• Romance scammers profess love quickly. They might say they can’t meet you because they’re overseas for business or military service — but, during the pandemic, they might just say they’re locked down.
• Romance scammers might try to lure you off the dating site.
• Scammers will find a reason to ask you for money — maybe to buy a phone card to keep chatting, maybe to help with a “medical emergency,” or maybe something else. 
• Romance scammers sometimes build interesting dating profiles. But try a reverse-image search of the profile pictures. Are any photos associated with another name, or with details that don’t match up? That’s just more proof that it’s a scam.

If you’ve spotted any of these signs of a scam, tell the online dating app or social media platform right away. And then tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov

Share these graphics with your family, friends, and social networks. You probably know someone who could use the reminder.

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Not love, actually

February 10, 2021
by Jim Kreidler
Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

Valentine’s Day is this weekend, so over the next three days, we’re talking about romance scams. Lots of people have profiles on dating apps to meet someone — maybe even more so in these virtual times. And many people have built successful relationships from an online start. But what if, instead of finding a potential partner, you find a scam? 

Romance scams reached a record $304 million in losses reported to the FTC in 2020. That’s up about 50% from 2019.

So how can you spot a romance scam? Check out this video, and watch this space for more tips and tools in the next couple of days. And share the video, and what you learn. You might not need the info yourself, but you probably know someone who does.

Social media is no place for COVID-19 vaccination cards

February 5, 2021
by Seena Gressin
Attorney, Division of Consumer & Business Education, FTC

Some of you are celebrating your second COVID-19 vaccination with the giddy enthusiasm that’s usually reserved for weddings, new babies, and other life events. You’re posting a photo of your vaccination card on social media. Please — don’t do that! You could be inviting identity theft. 

Your vaccination card has information on it including your full name, date of birth, where you got your vaccine, and the dates you got it. When you post it to Facebook, Instagram, or to some other social media platform, you may be handing valuable information over to someone who could use it for identity theft.

Think of it this way — identity theft works like a puzzle, made up of pieces of personal information. You don’t want to give identity thieves the pieces they need to finish the picture. One of those pieces is your date of birth. For example, just by knowing your date and place of birth, scammers sometimes can guess most of the digits of your Social Security number. Once identity thieves have the pieces they need, they can use the information to open new accounts in your name, claim your tax refund for themselves, and engage in other identity theft.

Want to share the news about your vaccination? How about a photo of a nifty adhesive bandage on the injection site? (You can show off your tattoos and deltoids at the same time.) Or, post a photo of your white or orange vaccine sticker. The stickers are really cool.

As for your social media networks, be sure that you’re not oversharing information that can serve as a key to your PIN number or answer a security question. And, while you’re checking, check your privacy settings too. If you want to limit access to a small group of family and friends, make sure the settings are configured to avoid sharing information with strangers.

Visit How to Keep Your Personal Information Secure for more tips about protecting your information against identity thieves.

Scammers are scheming as HealthCare.gov reopens

February 4, 2021
by Colleen Tressler
Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC

The Coronavirus pandemic has not only had a dramatic health impact, but also an economic blow as many Americans are now unemployed — and uninsured. As a result, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has re-opened HealthCare.gov for a “Special Enrollment Period,” from February 15, 2021 – May 15, 2021. This Special Enrollment Period will give people who need health care coverage the chance to sign up. But it also gives scammers a new chance to call, email, send letters and texts, trying to get your money — and your personal and financial information.

Scammers know you have questions about the special enrollment, and they’re taking advantage of that to mislead you.

Here are some things to know to help keep your money and personal information safe, while getting the insurance coverage you need:

• No one from the government will call you about health insurance, or ask you to verify your Social Security number or financial information. People who do are scammers.
• People who offer legitimate help with the Health Insurance Marketplace — sometimes called Navigators or Assisters — are not allowed to charge you for their help. If someone asks you for payment, it’s a scam.
• People representing Affordable Care Act plans won’t contact you by phone, email, or in person unless you are already enrolled.
• If you’re planning to sign up for insurance under the Affordable Care Act, do it at HealthCare.gov. People who try to sign you up elsewhere just might be scamming you.

Suspect a scam? Let the FTC know at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your reports give us the information we need to launch investigations, and put scammers out of business.

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The top frauds of 2020

February 4, 2021
by Monica Vaca
Associate Director, Division of Consumer Response and Operations

2020 was a tough year. Between the pandemic and the economic crisis, we all had our hands full. And scammers didn’t take any time off either — 2020 was a busy year for fraud. In 2020, the FTC got more than 2.2 million reports about fraud, with people telling us they lost nearly $3.3 billion.

Here’s what we heard from you in 2020:

• The top fraud of 2020 was imposter scams. Scammers showed up wearing many different hats — from that of a government official, to a known business, to a dear family member or friend. The FTC got nearly 500,000 reports of imposter scams, and people reported losing a lot of money to these scammers: $1.2 billion, with a median loss of $850. Government and business imposter scams were also among the top categories of COVID-19 and stimulus related reports, proving once again, that scammers follow the headlines.
• Online shopping and negative reviews was the second most reported fraud category of 2020. With the pandemic came an increase in online shopping, and then a wave of reports about sellers failing to deliver on promises — or just failing to deliver, period. The FTC got more than 350,000 reports, with people telling us they lost a total of more than $245 million, with a median loss of about $100.
• The phone is still the top way that scammers are reaching us — both through phone calls and text messages. In fact, there was a sharp increase in the number of reports saying that scammers contacted them by text message. And, not surprisingly, many of these text messages were related to the pandemic. We heard about text message scams luring people to click on links with promises of stimulus relief, economic relief or loans for small businesses, or “waiting packages.”

We can only fight scammers with your help. When you report to the FTC, your report is instantly available to more than 3,000 federal, state, and local law enforcers across the country who are looking to fight fraud. If you’ve spotted a scam, tell us at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.