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The Official Blog of the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
Driven by the economic downturn brought on by pandemic related restrictions, unemployment across the U.S. is at a historic high. While national and local averages slowly decline across the country, unemployment fraud is on the rise. For many the unemployment benefit is a lifeline. Unfortunately, for …Continue Reading Fraud Alert: Unemployment Benefits & ID Theft
When something seems to be too good to be true, chances are that it is. So, if boxes of free stuff start showing up on your doorstep out of nowhere, be advised that you may be a victim of “brushing.” What is “brushing?” Brushing is …Continue Reading FRAUD ALERT: Brushing
While schools and businesses are closed and everyone is practicing social distancing in an attempt to curtail the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), there is one group that is hard at work—scammers. Seeing an opportunity to take advantage in growing numbers, scammers are both resorting …Continue Reading Beware of Coronavirus Scams
Today marks the beginning of 23rd annual National Consumer Protection Week, a weeklong celebration of understanding consumer rights and making well-informed decisions about money championed by the Federal Trade Commissions’ (FTC). Educating consumers about fraud threats and other protection issues has become vital in recent …Continue Reading National Consumer Protection Week 2020
In recent years, robocalls have disturbed, cheated, and scammed constituents, stealing nearly $1 billion from consumers in 2018 alone. Scam callers may pose as various government agencies or other organizations requesting money, personal information and other data in hopes to steal from or harm the …Continue Reading The New Anti-Robocall Laws and How They Protect Consumers from High Volumes of Robocalls
With the fall upon us and temperatures dropping, you may be deciding to purchase wood to heat up your home this season. The Division of Standards (DOS) regulates the sale of wood and there are some things you should know. Whether you’re buying cordwood or …Continue Reading Get Heated, Not Cheated this Fall!
Your phone rings with an unrecognized number, the voice on the other end says “Congratulations, you qualify to receive a free government grant to pay for home repairs…!” While this sounds exciting, it may be a scam. Phone scammers are constantly looking for new and …Continue Reading How To Spot A Government-Related Scam
Last year, Apple sold over 2 billion iPhones worldwide giving scammers a huge group to target. Phishing emails may be used to trick Apple users into disclosing personal information like your social security number, credit card information, and home address. Apple will not ask for …Continue Reading Scammers Phishing for Apple Users
With the rise of spoofed robocalls affecting millions across the nation, government agencies have been taking action. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced on June 25, 2019 that it will be enforcing legal action against perpetrators of illegal robocalls. The effort, named “Operation Call It …Continue Reading What’s being done about Robocalls?
Tips for Avoiding Tricks this Tax Season 20-25% percent of Americans will file their taxes about two weeks before the filing deadline. In Massachusetts, the deadline to file your taxes is April 17. Whether you’re preparing to file your taxes or planning to be one …Continue Reading Tips for Avoiding Tricks this Tax Season
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2020