| U.S.
consumers are being inundated with prerecorded “robocalls” from companies
claiming they can negotiate lower credit card interest rates – for a fee.
The Federal Trade Commission urges extreme skepticism about these offers, because
many of them are fraudulent. In
a new consumer alert, Credit Card Interest Rate Reduction Scams, the FTC says
consumers have just as much clout with their credit card issuers as these companies
do. It urges consumers to avoid paying middlemen, and negotiate directly with
the credit card companies. To
learn more about managing credit cards and avoiding phone scams, go to http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt178.shtm. The
FTC, the nation’s consumer protection agency, has free information to help
consumers manage their personal finances. Visit www.ftc.gov/moneymatters
to learn more. The
Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive,
and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and
avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online
Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints
into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,800
civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s
Web site provides free information on a variety of consumer topics. MEDIA
CONTACT:
Office of Public Affairs
202-326-2180
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