Are you ready for National Consumer Protection Week 2022?

by Scott Muniz | Jan 31, 2022 | Security

This article was originally posted by the FTC. See the original article here.

It’s almost February and you know what that means…it’s getting close to National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW)! This year, NCPW is March 6-12, 2022, so now’s the time to jump into planning.

NCPW is the time of year when government agencies, consumer protection groups, and people like you work together to help remind your family, friends, and neighbors of their consumer rights and avoid frauds and scams. Want to join in? Here are some ideas:

• Help your family, friends and community avoid scams. Order free materials to share in English or Spanish. Order by February 7th to ensure delivery by NCPW.
• Plan a virtual consumer protection event. Find ideas at ftc.gov/ncpw for how to get involved.
• Share resources on COVID-19 scams. Share ways to avoid these scams, from COVID tests to vaccine scams. Check out ftc.gov/coronavirus/scams for free resources, including one-page handouts and graphics to share on social media.
• Visit ftc.gov/ncpw for even more resources.

We’ll be back next month to tell you more about the virtual events we have planned for NCPW. See you then.

Brought to you by Dr. Ware, Microsoft Office 365 Silver Partner, Charleston SC.

Welcome to Identity Theft Awareness Week 2022

by Scott Muniz | Jan 31, 2022 | Security

This article was originally posted by the FTC. See the original article here.

Today we’re kicking off Identity Theft Awareness Week 2022. Identity thieves have been busier than ever during the pandemic, with scammers and identity thieves after people’s information to apply for credit, unemployment benefits, file taxes, buy things, or get medical services. But there are some things you can do to protect yourself, and this week, you’ll learn how.

Each day this week, we’ll cover topics from the steps you can take to protect your personal information, to what to know about credit freezes and fraud alerts. Follow along with these alerts to help keep your money and personal information safe from scammers.

But wait, there’s more! This week, tune into free webinars, podcasts, and other events to hear experts discussing how to spot, protect against, and recover from identity theft. There’s something for everyone — including some events that spotlight resources for active duty service members, veterans, and older adults.

Start by joining a Facebook Live discussion at 3 p.m. ET today: Impersonator Scams & Identity Theft. You’ll hear from experts from the FTC and AARP’s Fraud Watch Network about impersonators who pretend to be from the government or well-known businesses, how they try to steal your information, and how to spot and stop them.

For details on the week’s webinars, podcasts, and Facebook Live programs, as well as how to participate, visit Identity Theft Awareness Week 2022. Then join us on Friday, when we’ll wrap up with a Twitter chat discussing identity theft trends, advice on spotting and avoiding identity theft, and how to recover.

Learn more about identity theft at ftc.gov/idtheft. And, if identity theft happens to you or someone you know, visit IdentityTheft.gov to report it and get a personalized recovery plan.

Brought to you by Dr. Ware, Microsoft Office 365 Silver Partner, Charleston SC.

What to know about Hubble’s $3.5 million settlement with the FTC

by Scott Muniz | Jan 28, 2022 | Security

This article was originally posted by the FTC. See the original article here.

Anyone who sells you contact lenses without first getting a copy of your prescription or properly verifying your prescription information with your prescriber is selling them illegally — and putting your eye health at risk. That’s because wearing contacts that haven’t been fitted to your eyes can cause corneal scratches, eye sores and irritation, and conjunctivitis (pink eye).

The FTC just filed a complaint­ against Vision Path, doing business as Hubble, alleging that the company failed to get or properly verify contact lens prescription information submitted by customers, sold lenses after prescription verification requests were denied, altered prescriptions from the prescribed brands to Hubble lenses, and failed to maintain required records.

The complaint also alleges that Hubble deceptively claimed it would ensure customers got lenses with valid and accurate prescriptions, as determined by their eye care provider; falsely claimed that certain consumer reviews were independent when they were not; and failed to disclose material connections between Hubble and some reviewers.

The next time you’re shopping for contact lenses, remember that under the Contact Lens Rule:

• Sellers must have a process for verifying prescriptions. This includes letting you submit a copy of your contact lens prescription. If you don’t submit your prescription, but instead give your prescription information, the seller must verify your prescription information with your prescriber.
• Sellers must not substitute another brand of contact lens for the one prescribed. If you want a different brand than the one written on your prescription, you’ll need your eye care provider’s approval. The only time you don’t need your provider’s approval to switch brands is if a manufacturer offers a brand name and a generic or store brand version of the same lens.

If you come across someone selling contact lenses without getting or properly verifying a prescription, take your business elsewhere and report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

For a more in-depth look at your prescription rights for contacts — and glasses — read Buying Prescription Glasses or Contact Lenses: Your Rights. Your eyes will thank you.

Brought to you by Dr. Ware, Microsoft Office 365 Silver Partner, Charleston SC.

Conned on social media? It’s not just you

by Scott Muniz | Jan 27, 2022 | Security

This article was originally posted by the FTC. See the original article here.

In 2021, more than 95,000 people told the FTC that they’d been scammed with a con that started on social media. In fact, more than one in four people who reported to the FTC that they lost money to any scam said the transaction started with a post, an ad, or a message on a social media platform. And the losses amount to about $770 million.

The largest number of reports came from people who lost money trying to buy something they saw marketed on social media. Most said they didn’t get the stuff they paid for, while some reported ads that impersonated a real online retailer. Reports of social media fraud increased for all age groups in 2021, but people 18 to 39 were more than twice as likely to report losing money than older adults.

Scammers trying to get your money are always looking for new ways to reach people. And they’ll use whatever they know about you to target their pitch. Here are some things to do to protect yourself, no matter which social media platform you use:

• Try to limit who can see your posts and information on social media. Of course, all platforms collect information about you from your activities on social media, but visit your privacy settings to set some restrictions.
• Check if you can opt out of targeted advertising. Some platforms let you do that.
• If you see urgent messages from a “friend” asking for money, stop. It could be a hacker behind that post pretending to be your friend.
• Check out a company before you buy. Read Shopping Online for advice.
• Don’t deal with a vendor that requires payment by cryptocurrency, gift card, or wire transfer. That’s sure to be a scam.

Brought to you by Dr. Ware, Microsoft Office 365 Silver Partner, Charleston SC.