The Consumer Toolbox Milagros

National Consumer Protection Week 2024 (March 3 to March 9) is a annual event dedicated to consumers by advocates and government entities. 
With the Federal Trade Commission recent report of fraud in 2023, you will want to listen to this episode. 
I’m not one to sugarcoat, ignore or undermine important and relevant information when it pertains to consumers and fraud. This time, I get even more candid when talking about the significant impact fraud had on consumers in 2023! Quite frankly, the numbers from the Federal Trade Commission are alarming!
 Please take the time to read the FTC’s Sentinel Data Book of 2023 to learn more. Also, be sure to join your local organization during NCPW to get empowered. 
As always, I encourage you to subscribe to The Consumer Toolbox podcast, and to share it with those you want to protect from scams and fraud, and be sure not to forget those young and old!
Stay safe my friends,
~Milagros~

Advertisements for Debt Relief are coming to us from every angle. We hear them on the radio, see them on television, and on posters and newspaper ads. In fact, they are becoming just as overwhelming as the debt ratio most consumers are now facing.

This episode will explain how the debt relief and debt management companies work, the services they may offer, and the potential risks to your credit, if you don't understand what you may be getting yourself into. Know that what they claim they can do for you, you can do yourself.

So before you sign up on their website or call their toll-free number, listen to this episode so that you can make an informed decision based on what is best for you, your finances and credit.

And please, don't forget to subscribe and tell your family and friends about this informative podcast. Remember that "Education is the Best Prevention!"

Here are the links I reference in this episode:

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/08/ftc-doj-send-more-9-million-refunds-people-who-lost-money-student-loan-debt-relief-scheme?utm_source=govdelivery
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/newsroom/cfpb-reaches-multibillion-dollar-settlement-with-credit-repair-conglomerate/

https://consumer.gov/sites/default/files/pdf-1020-make-budget-worksheet_form.pdf

~Milagros~

Smart devices are good but your privacy is better. Why does this matter? Because smart devices pry on your privacy.

However you have options, if you take the time to take action to protect it. It's all in the settings.

So before you sit to watch tv, for instance, you're going to want to listen to this short but empowering episode. I suggest you take it one step further afterward, and check all of your smart devices to select the ones that best protect you and you privacy.

~Milagros~

Medical data breaches are on the rise. This is a major concern because it impacts our medical records and could potentially put our health, not just our personal and financial information at risk. What most consumers don't know is that medical identity theft can have long-term effects on our medical history and our medical conditions. 

In a case of financial identity theft we can dispute the fraudulent charges, but in a case of medical identity theft, it's not as easy as you think, especially because it goes undetected for that much longer.

In this episode, I encourage all consumers to be vigilant and proactive and provide the steps for you to take, if and when your medical information is compromised. Remember that, "Education is the Best Prevention," and in this case, when it applies to your health.

~Milagros~

We've been hearing about it more every day. It's the new way of shopping without paying for it with cash or a credit card. It's called Buy Now, Pay Later. But did you know that it's actually a loan that may or may not help your credit. There's no doubt that it is a convenient way for those are not prepared for the unexpected, such as when a home appliance breaks.

However it comes with several implications, all of which consumers need to know about. In this episode I discuss the pros and cons, the good and the bad, and the facts that may leave you thinking whether this is the, "wisest way to shop!"

Remember to rate and subscribe to this podcast on your favorite listening platform!

~Milagros~

This week I will join the Federal Trade Commission to help promote Identity Theft Awareness Week. I invite you to participate!

With identity theft continuing to be on the uptick, there are two important and free steps for you to take to protect yourself from becoming a victim of identity theft. 

The first is to monitor your request three free credit report. The second is to freeze your three credit reports. That's it...it's that simple! Follow these links to do just that:
Request your three free credit reportsFreeze your Experian credit fileFreeze your Equifax credit fileFreeze your TransUnion credit fileIf you have questions, please email them to TheConsumerToolbox@gmail.com.
Remember to rate and subscribe to this podcast. Thank you for listening!

~Milagros~