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1—877—FTC—HELP
For The Consumer

[image: stylized group of people looking up at colorful product claims in the sky]
[image: ticket reading "Land $ales Loan"]

A Georgia couple paid $495 to a real estate company that claimed they had a buyer for vacant lot the couple wanted to sell. The company never produced any potential buyers and wouldn't refund the couple's money.

[image: a sash reading "Prize Promo"]

An Oklahoma retiree received a letter guaranteeing a "free prize" in return for a small check to cover processing, shipping, handling and promotional costs. He sent the check, which was cashed promptly. He never received his prize.

[image: a stack ot coins and bills with the caption "tax refund"]

A Vermont woman who lives on Social Security responded to a postcard from a "refund center" that claimed it had a $5,000 tax refund check payable to her in exchange for a processing fee of $11.97. She paid, but never saw the refund check or the fee.

THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

Can you recognize a rip-off? Smell a scam? Find a fraud? It's often hard to do. Many fraudulent promoters are experts at exploiting consumers' financial needs, naivete, and optimism, not to mention their fantasies of hitting the jackpot.

If you think you've been taken in by a deceptive sweepstakes offer, credit scheme, a telemarketing or Internet fraud, or a business opportunity that promised more than it could deliver, check it out with the Federal Trade Commission.

The FTC works For the Consumer—providing the information you need to identify and avoid fraud and deception in the marketplace. Although the FTC cannot resolve individual disputes, the information you provide is crucial to the enforcement of consumer protection laws. For more information about how to resolve individual disputes, check your local telephone directory for your state and local consumer protection authorities or write for Solving Consumer Problems, a helpful guide from the FTC.

To file a complaint about a fraudulent business practice or to get free information on how to spot, stop and avoid one, call the FTC, toll-free, at 1.877.FTC.HELP or visit
www.ftc.gov. Click on Consumer Protection

WORKING FOR THE CONSUMER

The Federal Trade Commission is the nation's consumer protection champion. The FTC works For The Consumer to prevent fraud, deception and unfair business practices in the marketplace.

The FTC enforces federal consumer protection laws.

The FTC provide free information to help you spot and avoid fraud and deception in the marketplace.

The FTC wants to hear from you, whether you want information or you want to file a complaint.

[image: televison that reads "Business Opportunity"]

A Missouri man bought a vending machine route and 10 vending machines from a company that claimed he could meet or exceed his current annul salary. Before long, the promise of a profitable business had been broken, and the man, unable to meet his loan payments and support himself, filed for bankruptcy.

[image: a motarboard with the "Scholarships" written above it]

An Oregon family paid $179 for a "guaranteed" scholarship of at least $1,000 to help pay their son's college tuition bill. Instead, they received a list of 27 scholarship programs for which they could apply, some with deadlines long past. The same list was available in his high school library for free.

[image: an airplane]

A Texas homemaker paid a travel company in advance for a family vacation package. After using a credit card to charge the $422 trip, she learned about additional charges and a change in accommodations. When she tried to cancel the trip because of the misrepresentations, the company refused to refund her money.

Contact the FTC for free information on 150 different consumer issues, including: advertising claims • buying, leasing and renting cars • credit • debt collection • exercise equipment • franchises • funeral services • investment schemes • lending services • online shopping • privacy • scholarship scams • sweepstakes • telemarketing • work-at-home schemes • and more.

Call toll-free: 1.877.FTC.HELP
TDD: 202.326.2502
Visit us online: www.ftc.gov
Write:
Consumer Response Center
Federal Trade Commission
Washington, D.C. 20580-0001

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