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Help new grads be wise consumers
June 29, 2005 01:12 PM EST | Consumer Info | Email to Friend
Graduation from high school or college is an exciting time when students focus on the future and the new responsibilities and opportunities it brings. The Federal Trade Commission has issued a new consumer alert, “How to Be the Class ‘Value-dictorian,’” that gives students and graduates tips to avoid scams, keep their personal information safe, and hold on to their hard-earned money.
The FTC alert, available at www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alert/gradalrt.htm, provides important information on a variety of topics, including:
- Establishing good credit;
- Avoiding scholarship scams that “guarantee” financial aid for college employment scams that falsely promise the inside track on jobs;
- Protecting personal information by keeping Social
Security numbers, passwords, and account numbers safe; - Spotting bogus claims for weight loss products; and
- Reducing unwanted telemarketing calls by registering home and cell phone numbers with the National Do Not Call Registry at www.donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222
The alert encourages new grads to become savvy consumers by asking questions and doing research before making purchases or signing contracts and using the FTC as a resource to enhance their knowledge and report fraud.
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