In today’s consumer news: The Federal Reserve is expected to lower interest rates again, the FTC will eliminate hidden fees in bookings in four months, and Walmart is testing body cameras for employee safety in select stores.

Stanley recalls over 2.5 million travel mugs due to a faulty lid posing burn risks. Jobless claims rise to 242,000, surpassing expectations. And the FTC warns of a surge in task-related scams.

¿Alguna vez has intentado cancelar una suscripción y terminaste más frustrado que cuando te inscribiste? Eso está a punto de cambiar gracias a una nueva regla aprobada por la Comisión Federal de Comercio de Estados Unidos.

The federal government is providing a free webinar next week as part of National Preparedness Month to help people stay up-to-date with safety plans in a potential weather emergency or disaster.

Cryptocurrency scams are booming, and some scammers are now tapping into Bitcoin ATMs (BTMs) to increase their returns after the machines have been popping up in convenience stores, gas stations and other high-traffic areas for years.

Financial readiness is critical before any potential natural disaster to protect your hard-earned money, important documents and possessions. Here are some tips to help get you started.

Hurricane Beryl continues moving toward Mexico, and scammers could be watching closely to take advantage of disaster situations. The FTC is warning people about what to look out for after a weather emergency to help people avoid scams.

Get an unexpected email or text from Best Buy or Amazon? Be careful. Those are two of the companies scammers impersonate the most, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

Japan’s antitrust watchdog says U.S. search giant Google must fix its advertising search restrictions affecting Yahoo.

Ever wonder whether those glowing five-star reviews you see online are real? It’s hard to know for sure. Consumer Reports gives you tips to help you recognize what’s authentic and what’s not.

Crooks are taking advantage of grieving families in the latest imposter scam, the Federal Trade Commission warns.

The Federal Trade Commission sued AT&T after claiming the company unfairly reduced data speeds for customers with unlimited data plans and AT&T agreed to settle.

The Federal Trade Commission has ordered Credit Karma to pay $3 million to consumers.

Scammers are looking to take advantage of student loan borrowers who are eager to have their debts canceled, the government warns.

The Federal Trade Commission's proposed rules would ban some car dealers' sales tactics in an effort to protect consumers from shady practices.

Scams initiated on social media surged last year, ripping people off for $770 million, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

As testing sites see big demand and home test kits are challenging to find in stores, federal authorities are warning people to be on the lookout for fake tests that are popping up online.

As families search for affordable rental cars for summer vacation, scammers are taking advantage and creating phony websites and deals, the BBB and FTC warn.

A new scam targeting college educators and students is hitting inboxes and tricking recipients into giving up their personal information.

In fact, you’ll likely see scammers trying to take advantage of disaster situations. During National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission is offering some guidance on what you should be looking out for to avoid becoming a victim. Whatever they may be, the FTC says scammers only want you to pay up or share your personal information. Remember, no legitimate company or organization will ever ask you to pay with a gift card, money transfer or pre-paid debit card. And no government agency will ever call, email or text to ask you for money, your Social Security number or your banking information.

SAN ANTONIO – As millions anxiously await their turns for the COVID-19 vaccine, and with many frustrated by more demand than early supply, scammers are already taking advantage, federal agencies and consumer advocates warn. The BBB, along with several federal agencies are warning about emails, text messages, phone calls and social media posts offering early access to the vaccine in exchange for some sort of payment. The state of Texas has a vaccine rollout plan based on who needs the vaccine’s protection most coming first. If you receive an unsolicited offer regarding vaccine, the BBB suggests you do your research by starting with your doctor and relying on known, reliable sources. Related Stories:Texas health official explains issues that may distort how many vaccine doses are actually available31 San Antonio clinics, hospitals to get hundreds of COVID-19 vaccines this weekUniversity Health begins administering COVID-19 vaccines to seniors in next phase of rollout

SAN ANTONIO – As holiday shoppers log on to Amazon in record numbers, scammers are stealing the moment - and maybe more. In the Amazon version, the caller says there is some sort of problem with a purchase. In the Apple version, the caller says the person’s iCloud account has been breached and they shouldn’t use any Apple device until the suspicious activity is addressed. The Secret Sister or Secret Santa Gift Exchange is another scheme making the holiday rounds on social media, one that’s illegal, the Better Business Bureau warns. “It’s a very fun pay-it-forward kind of scenario ... but the gift exchange quickly becomes something where it becomes illegal.

SAN ANTONIO – Social media is for more than sharing pet pics and political fights. As people have been scrolling through the pandemic, scammers have been ripping them off for millions of dollars, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Reports of losses due to social media scams have more than tripled in the last year. If you see an ad on your social media feed, don’t depend on the comments for validation. To protect yourself from scammers lurking on social media, experts advise the following:

Unfortunately, scammers are very creative and they come up with all sorts of ways to prey on people in the midst of a pandemic, said Christina Tetreault, Consumer Reports financial policy advocate. San Antonio bar owner in financial bind amid COVID-19 pandemicAmong the tricks to separate people from their money - phony remedies. Scammers also also known to impersonate contact tracers. Instead of asking about your whereabouts, they are asking for financial account information, which contact tracers do not need. People need to be vigilant about sharing information if they did not initiate the contact, Tetreault said.

SAN ANTONIO – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Federal Trade Commission issued a warning letter Wednesday to a company selling products with the claim that they can prevent or treat COVID-19. “Despite previous warnings, the FDA is concerned that we are still seeing chlorine dioxide products being sold with misleading claims that they are safe and effective for the treatment of diseases, now including COVID-19. The sale of these products can jeopardize a person’s health and delay proper medical treatment,” said FDA Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn, M.D. COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the new virus, stands for coronavirus disease 2019. The disease first appeared in late 2019 in Wuhan, China, but spread around the world in early 2020, causing the World Health Organization to declare a pandemic in March.