Consumer Issues

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• Mortgage Scam: Spanish-Speaking Homeowners Targeted

  A nationwide scam operating from the Dominican Republic, but pretending to be based out of Chicago, was calling Spanish-speaking distressed homeowners in the United States. Use these Quick Tips to learn about the scam and to avoid falling victim.

• The “Grandparents” Scam

  Seniors are so often the targets of family emergency scams that they’ve earned the nickname, “the grandparents scam.” Before you send money, take a deep breath and do some quick checking to make sure you don’t fall victim.

• The Imposter Scams

  A prerecorded phone call tells you that you that you owe tax money and will be arrested, prosecuted or face other legal action if you do not immediately send funds. Before you act, read these Quick Tips to avoid falling victim to this pervasive, nationwide scam.

• Identity Theft

  These days, you can never be too careful when it comes to protecting your identity. Help protect your identity, and learn where to turn if you've fallen victim to an identity thief, with these Quick Tips.

• Phishing

  “Phishing" is the fraudulent attempt by individuals to obtain personally identifiable information from the public at large by sending millions of emails randomly to anyone with an email address. Learn how to avoid phishing scams with these Quick Tips.

• Going Shopping on the Internet?

  Going shopping on the Internet? Here are a few Quick Tips to keep in mind.

• Connecticut Department of Banking Cyberfraud Site

  Protect Yourself Against CyberFraud

• Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection

  The Department of Consumer Protection's mission is to ensure a fair and equitable marketplace, safe products and services for consumers in the industries that we license, regulate and enforce.

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

  Congress established the CFPB to protect consumers by carrying out federal consumer financial laws.

• Consumer Product Safety Commission

  The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products.

• Federal Trade Commission

  The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) works to ensure that the nation’s markets are vigorous, efficient and free of restrictions that harm consumers.

• CTLawHelp.org: Self-Help Guides for Consumers

  A project of the Connecticut Network for Legal Aid, this page offers easy-to-understand information about issues affecting consumers including bankruptcy, collection and repossession, credit practices and reports, security deposits, small claims court, and more.

• National Charities Information Bureau

  The Alliance reports on nationally soliciting charitable organizations that are the subject of donor inquiries.

• National Fraud Information Center

  The NFIC was originally established in 1992 by the National Consumers League, the oldest nonprofit consumer organization in the United States, to fight the growing menace of telemarketing fraud by improving prevention and enforcement.

• Consumer Education Brochures from the National Consumer Law Center

  The NCLC's free, downloadable brochures offer basic information for consumers on the most critical consumer issues, including predatory lending, debt collection, credit reports, lemon laws, bankruptcy, foreclosure, payday loans, predatory mortgage loans, credit card debt, living trust scams, telemarketing fraud, refinancing, loss of utility services and other issues.