FTC Consumer Alerts

The FTC offers a free tool called Youville to help 8-12 year-olds develop online safety skills during summer and the school year. The tool is designed to assist parents in teaching children how to make good decisions while online.

The article warns that unexpected requests for payments via bank transfer, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, payment apps, or gift cards are likely scams. The FTC reports such demands are red flags for fraudulent activity.

Veteran-run small businesses can access free resources to protect against scammers and cybercriminals by educating their workforce. The article emphasizes the importance of an informed team as a key defense strategy.

The article provides guidance on identifying fake rental listings to avoid scams during military moves, emphasizing the stress-reducing benefits of recognizing these frauds.

The FTC reports a scam where law firms send letters claiming individuals are heirs to unclaimed life insurance policies worth millions. The letters falsely suggest recipients can inherit money from a deceased person with the same last name, while the law firms seek to split the proceeds.

Scammers target the military with fake debt relief programs, tricking individuals into paying them instead of legitimate lenders. The article warns that offers for 'military debt forgiveness' are likely scams.

The FTC emphasizes discussing scams during Military Consumer Month 2026 to protect the military community from fraud targeting their money, benefits, and personal information. The initiative encourages servicemembers and veterans to share their scam experiences to raise awareness.

The article discusses creating a family plan for summer screen time by establishing rules and using parental controls to ensure online safety.