Top search results online are often paid ads — including when you search for substance use disorder treatment clinics. Dishonest businesses sometimes advertise on search engines using the names of real treatment centers, but list their own contact information. So when you call, you might reach the imposter business — not the real one you were looking for — making it harder to get the care you’re after. 

Have a specific treatment clinic you’re interested in? When searching online, review the results carefully before clicking on the ad or calling the number. And take a closer look at any program or center you find before sending them any money or giving them any of your personal information.

To get real help near you, start at FindTreatment.gov.

Spot a dishonest business? Tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Know someone else who could use this information? Share this video. 

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A Free Public Service

August 26, 2025

Attribution: US ftc.gov

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is an inactive attorney in San Mateo County, California.USA.

If you’re looking to join a gym, you’ll probably find the membership sign-up process is quick and easy. Cancelling should be easy, too — but sometimes businesses make you jump through hoops that make it nearly impossible to quit. That’s unlawful and costs people a lot of time and money. And that’s what the FTC alleges LA Fitness did to people who signed up for monthly gym subscriptions.

Some gyms say you can try out a membership for free — but it might not be true. Some will auto-renew if you don’t cancel first, which might come as a surprise. And sometimes you’re trapped in a membership because of a confusing maze you have to go through before the gym will honor your cancellation request.

Learn about subscriptions to save yourself money, time, and potential aggravation. Before you sign up:

• See what others are saying online. Search for the company’s name and the word “subscription” plus words like “complaint,” “problem,” “cancel,” and “fee” to see if people have had issues in the past.
• Check the terms and conditions. If the subscription includes auto-renewals, know that you’ll keep getting charged until you cancel.
• Learn more about how to cancel a paid subscription with automatic billing.

Already have a subscription? Here’s what to do if you have trouble cancelling:

• Dispute unauthorized credit card charges. If you’ve tried to cancel a subscription and the company won’t stop charging your account, dispute it with your credit or debit card company. Just changing your credit or debit card number is often not enough.
• Tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

By

BCP Staff

August 26, 2025

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A Free Public Service

August 13, 2025

Attribution: USFTC.gov

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is an inactive attorney in San Mateo County, California, USA.

While scrolling through social media, you might come across a video or post discussing an “opportunity” to make money using checks. The problem? That advice could get you in trouble.

The supposed hack involves writing a check for more money than you have, depositing it into a different account of yours, and then withdrawing the money before the (bad) check is fully processed. What the video or post might not tell you is that could leave you on the hook for paying back all the money, kicked out of your bank, and in serious legal trouble for bank fraud.

Before you jump onboard a viral trend: 

• Do some research. Search the trend along with terms like “scam” or “fraud” to see what others are saying about it. Talk to friends and family to see what they think.
• Think about the source. What do you know about the person or account that makes them trustworthy?
• Compare advice from a variety of well-known sources. Don’t just trust what one person or account says.

Learn more at ftc.gov/fakechecks.

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A Free Public Service

August 2, 2025

Attribution: US Ftc.gov.

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is an inactive attorney in San Mateo County, California, USA.

Discharged from the military, retiring, or transitioning to civilian life? Once you leave active duty, you might be interested in new career opportunities to put your valuable skills and experience to work. Scammers are also looking for opportunities — specifically, to steal your money. Reports to the FTC about job scams have tripled from 2020 to 2024 and reported losses jumped from $90 million to $501 million in that time. Here are some ways to help you spot a scam while you’re job searching.

Reports to the FTC say scammers flock to the places where job seekers look: online ads, job sites, and social media. But sometimes they try to contact you directly. You might get an unexpected text or message on WhatsApp from someone who says they’re a recruiter for a company. The message might even look like it’s coming from a company you know. If it asks you to click a link or enter personal or financial information, that’s probably a scam.

To avoid job scams:

• Start your job search with trusted sources. Try visiting sites like fedshirevets.gov and your state’s job bank at Career OneStop.
• Do some research. Search online for the name of the company and words like “review,” “scam,” or “complaint.” If you can’t find the company online, steer clear.
• Slow down and talk to someone you trust. Scammers try to pressure you to act quickly so you don’t have time to think. Slow down and see what your friends and family have to say about the job ad.
• Never pay anyone to get a job. Anyone who asks you to pay to get a job is a scammer. 

Learn more about spotting and avoiding job scams at ftc.gov/jobscams and report them to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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