A short trailer, and free access, to a DVD copy of Trick$ of the Trade: Outsmarting Investment Fraud, which was originally featured on PBS. The documentary can be ordered, free of charge, online or by phone.
A concise document that helps consumers understand what annuities are as well as the different types. Additionally, this document highlights potential consumer pitfalls associated with annuities.
This article highlights a variety of popular scams, helping consumers identify a variety of them, and provides advice to consumers as to how they can avoid them.
This article, by Nolo, details scams associated with reverse mortgages. Additionally, the article offers advice as to when a reverse mortgage might be a good solution.
From the Federal Trade Commission, this website outlines various considerations investors should keep in mind before making any serious financial investment.
This article, by the Federal Trade Commission, outlines various considerations consumers need to keep in mind when investing online in order to avoid various scams. The article also provides consumers with information about how to report online investment fraud.
This article, by the AARP, gives advice to consumers for how they can protect their parents from scams. Additionally, the article is available in Spanish.
From the Washington State Office of the Attorney General, this website offers information on a range of common scams, such as charity scams and travel scams.
This guide, by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, provides seniors with information about both managing finances and reducing the risk of financial exploitation.
From the Federal Trade Commission, this article warns consumers of a recent scam in which a scammer calls, pretending to be a government official, and claims that you owe money.
Provides information and services relating to telemarketing calls. Allows visitors to place their number on the national do not call registry, meaning telemarketers can no longer contact them with offers.
Sample Consumer Complaint Letter: Provides a standard form that can be copy/pasted into word processing software that can then be edited as appropriate and sent to the FTC to file a complaint regarding an issue with a purchased product or service.
Provides information on the marketing of health and fitness service products, including, but not limited to, vitamins, performance enhancers, and over the counter drugs.
This extensive guide, by the Federal Trade Commission, explains what consumers should do if they have become a victim of identity theft. Additionally, the guide provides information about reducing your risk of becoming a victim.
From the Federal Trade Commission, this website includes a wide variety of resources on tax identity theft, including a link to an IRS brochure on tax id theft, as well as articles, PowerPoints, and more. Victims of tax identity theft should file complaints with the FTC at www.ftc.gov or 1-877-IDTHEFT or with the IRS Specialized ID Theft Unit at 1-800-908-4490.
