Consumers Find Internet Offers That Just Don't Click

October 2000

The FTC announced the "Top 10 Dot Cons" as part of an international law enforcement effort to "sweep" the most prevalent fraudulent practices off the web.

Partnership Fights Cross-Border Fraud

October 2000

A recently announced U.S. Federal Trade Commission case involving fraudulent Canadian telemarketers who targeted American consumers highlights the success of a new strategic partnership formed to fight cross-border fraud.

Putting the Brakes on Office Supply Fakes

October 2000

The typical office supply scam involves goods that the company routinely orders: computer and copier machine supplies, light bulbs and cleaning materials, or services like classified advertising or Internet services. Fraudulent telemarketers often lie to get the company to pay for items it never ordered, or to pay more than it agreed to - often five to 10 times what the product or service is worth.

An Education in Scholarship Scams

September 2000

Scholarship scam artists prey on concerns about the high cost of college and potential for heavy debt. Some take advantage of parents' and students' unfamiliarity with the financial aid application process; indeed, many consumers find it overwhelming.

Getting to the Bottom of Pyramid Schemes

September 2000

Many people join pyramids in the belief that they're actually joining a multilevel marketing plan. Legitimate multilevel marketing plans offer a product or service that's sold to the public through a tiered network of distributors. However, many multilevel marketing plans are actually pyramids.

Travel Scams: Avoiding a Trip to the Heartbreak Hotel

August 2000

Vacations are supposed to be carefree times to unwind and reconnect with friends and loved ones. But for consumers who unknowingly book their trips through unscrupulous travel marketers, vacations can be expensive disappointments.

TooLate.Com: The Lowdown on Late Internet Shipments

July 2000

Internet sales soared during last winter's holiday season, with many consumers lured by the ease and convenience of gift-shopping from home or work. And although many were satisfied with their online shopping experiences, other consumers had their orders delivered far later than they'd been promised, and never got notification so they could cancel the order and buy from another company.

Used Cars: How to Get a "Peach" Instead of a "Lemon" - Chicago

July 2000

Listen to this: A man from Chicago's Far Southwest Side went to an area dealership to buy a dependable used car for his stepdaughter. Just one day after making the purchase, he received a frantic telephone call. The vehicle had broken down and his stepdaughter was stranded on the side of the road.

Putting Prize Promotions Into Perspective

June 2000

Every day, consumers across the United States lose thousands of dollars to unscrupulous prize promoters. Last year alone, the Federal Trade Commission received more than 10,000 complaints from consumers about gifts, sweepstakes and prize promotions.

Auction Guides: More - And Less - Than You're Bidding For

June 2000

Each year, untold numbers of consumers get lured by ads in newspapers and magazines, on TV and the Internet, and on coupons sent to your home promising vehicles for as little as $500 or foreclosed homes from $5,000, with no money down. Many consumers take the bait, shelling out their hard-earned dollars for fraudulently marketed auto and home auction guides.

Used Cars: How to Get a "Peach" Instead of a "Lemon"

June 2000

The Federal Trade Commission's Used Car Rule requires dealers to post a Buyers Guide inside each used vehicle for sale.

Confronting "Community Cons"

May 2000

Say you're a small business owner who gets a call saying that the ad you previously agreed to place in a publication has been printed and is being distributed. You're told that the bill is on its way... Here's the rub: you don't remember agreeing to buy the ad, nor does anyone else in your office.

Promotions for Kids' Dietary Supplements Leave Sour Taste

May 2000

Used to be that you couldn't expect a kid to stomach much more than a daily dose of cod liver oil or a multivitamin supplement. But lately, with the trend toward marketing herbs and other non-traditional dietary supplements for children's use, it's the Federal Trade Commission that's raising objections.

What's That in Your Mailbox? It's a Masquer-Ad!

March 2000

The mailing had one of those familiar yellow "stickies" attached, addressed to him by name. "Try this. It's really good!" the handwritten note said, with the signature "J."