House Democrats are committed to ensuring that you and your family stay safe and can protect your hard-earned money.
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Children’s Online Privacy Protection
The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), passed by Congress in October 1998, requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to issue and enforce rules concerning children’s online privacy. The FTC issued the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule in November 1999; it has been in effect since April 21, 2000. The Rule’s primary goal: to make sure parents have control over what information is collected from their children online. Learn more about the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
Credit and Loans
Almost every day, you are involved in some type of financial transaction requiring an educated decision, whether you are shopping for a mortgage or auto loan, checking the accuracy of your credit report or dealing with debt collectors. Learn more about credit and loan information.
“Do Not Call” Registry
The National Do Not Call Registry gives you a choice about whether to receive telemarketing calls. Most telemarketers should not call your number once it has been on the registry for 31 days. If they do, you can file a complaint at the Federal Trade Commission website. You can register your phone number for free. Learn more about the National Do Not Call Registry from the Federal Trade Commission.
Gas Saving Tips
There are several steps you can take to save gas (and money) as you drive, whether it be while operating or maintaining your vehicle. Learn more about saving gas.
Home Energy Savings
Whether you are buying a refrigerator, thinking about ways to reduce your heating and cooling bills, or trying to save money on gas, some ways can save money in every room of your home. Learn more about saving money on heating, cooling and other home energy sources.
Information Security
Are you taking steps to protect personal information? Safeguarding sensitive data in your files and on your computers is just plain good business. If that information falls into the wrong hands, it can lead to fraud or identity theft. Learn more about protecting your personal information.
Common Scams
In today’s changing economic environment, staying safe online is more important than ever. As you’re applying for loans, encountering ads and answering your emails, look out for these common scams and fraud schemes.
Cross-Border Fraud
Cross-border fraud is a serious problem that only appears to be growing. Consumers in the U.S. and other countries lose billions of dollars each year to telemarketers operating from “boiler rooms” across the border who pitch bogus products, services and investments. They also lose money to Internet scam artists who operate anonymously from places outside the U.S. The most common cross-border frauds pushed by telemarketers, spam emailers or misleading advertisements involve phony prize promotions, foreign lottery schemes, advance-fee loan rip-offs, travel offer scams, and unnecessary credit card loss “protection.” Learn more about cross-border fraud and how the federal government is working to combat it.
Fraud While Investing
About to invest and want to do it safely? Get the facts on how to avoid fraud while you invest. Be wary of swindlers and scam artists. Learn more about investing wisely and avoiding fraud.
Fraudulent Business Opportunities
If you want to “be your own boss,” “work from home” or just “make extra money,” then you may be tempted by an ad for a business opportunity. But before you open your checkbook, check out the offer. Fraudulent business opportunity promoters use the Internet or various classified sources, like payphones or sending stuffed envelopes to work-at-home businesses, to tout all kinds of offers. Too often, these ads make promises about earnings, locations, merchandise or marketability that sound great, but aren’t truthful. The result: consumers are getting ripped off, losing money instead of making it. Learn more about considering a business opportunity.
Internet Fraud
The FTC posts practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help you be on guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer and protect your personal information. Learn more about protecting yourself against Internet fraud.
Fraud
About to invest and want to do it safely? Get the facts on how to avoid fraud while you invest. Be wary of swindlers and scam artists. Learn more about investing wisely and avoiding fraud.
Mail Fraud
Phony job opportunities, postal job scams, bogus work-at-home schemes, and fake charities are among the many types of postal fraud. Learn more about mail fraud schemes.
Scams on Businesses
Has your business ever been targeted by an office supply scam? Office supply fraud costs its victims an estimated $200 million per year. These scams target large and small businesses, as well as schools, government agencies and nonprofit institutions. They generally involve the deceptive sale of products that businesses purchase regularly, like printer paper, copy toner, light bulbs or cleaning materials. Learn more about office supply scams.
Spam
Do you receive lots of junk email messages from people you don’t know? It’s no surprise if you do. Marketers are increasingly using email messages to pitch their products and services. Some consumers find unsolicited commercial email – also known as “spam” – annoying and time-consuming; others have lost money to bogus offers that arrived in their email inbox. Learn more about spam and how to reduce it.
Weight Loss Scams
Misleading weight loss advertising is everywhere, preying on consumers desperate for an easy solution. But claims for diet products that promise weight loss without sacrifice or effort can be bogus and, in some cases, dangerous. Learn more about misleading weight loss advertising.