The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is an agency of the U.S. government which informs and protects American consumers through research, policy-making, and law-enforcement. They can help you get your money back!
- Ever been ripped off? The FTC can reimburse you for items that didn’t live up to their advertisements. Get money back for everything from supplements to weight loss products and credit card scams. Visit www.ftc.gov/refunds to find out more and see a list of recent cases resulting in refunds here: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/cases/index.shtml.
- Visit the FTC’s newsroom at http://www.ftc.gov/opa/ to see what companies they are currently investigating.
- Ripped off by a product or service the FTC doesn’t know about yet? File a complaint in English or in Spanish so the FTC can stop those scams: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/ (English), https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/Consumer_HomeES.htm (Spanish)
- Want more information on how to protect yourself as a consumer? The FTC will send you booklets, pamphlets, consumer alerts and other items for free (large or small quantities). Read up on important topics, such as health, credit and loans, and shopping for products and services here: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/consumer.shtm (English), http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/consumer_es.shtm (Spanish)
- Some of the materials we recommend include:
- Who Cares: Sources of Information About Health Care Products and Services. This guide is a reliable resource for the health topics that are important to you. https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/pdf-0050-who-cares.pdf
- Red Flag: Bogus Weight Loss Claims This brochure warns consumers of the false claims some advertisers make about weight loss products. View it online: http://www.dietscam.org/warnings/ftc_red_flags.pdf
- Read Up! How to be an Informed Consumer This booklet is a guide to understanding consumer rights and focuses on 5 topics: managing finances, major purchases and investments, consumer rights, avoiding scams, and personal security. Order a copy or view it online: https://www.texell.org/assets/files/egfL520m/2016/09/14/FTC_-_How_to_be_an_informed_consumer.pdf
Other Resources You Might Find Helpful:
- Report identity theft: http://www.ftc.gov/idtheft 877-ID-THEFT
- Recognize & report phone fraud: http://www.ftc.gov/phonefraud
- Stay safe online http://www.onguardonline.gov