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Consumoteca Blog

Practical guides on refunds, chargebacks, scams, privacy and consumer protection — in plain English.

Romance Scam Red Flags: 9 Warning Signs to Spot and Avoid in 2026

Romance Scam Red Flags: 9 Warning Signs to Spot and Avoid in 2026

Spot romance scam red flags in 2026 before financial loss. Learn 9 key signs like love bombing, AI profiles, and money requests, backed by FTC stats on 70,000 reports and $240M losses to older adults.

7 Proven Tips to Spot Scam Websites in 2026: Protect Yourself from Phishing Fraud

7 Proven Tips to Spot Scam Websites in 2026: Protect Yourself from Phishing Fraud

Discover practical tips to spot scam websites in 2026, including URL checks, HTTPS limits, design flaws, contact details, urgency tactics, and tools. Safeguard your online shopping with evidence-based steps from NCSC, Commerce Bank, and more.

SMS Scam Prevention: Block Smishing and Spam Texts in 2026

SMS Scam Prevention: Block Smishing and Spam Texts in 2026

Protect your phone from SMS scams like smishing in 2026. Learn to spot tricks, report to 7726, block spam on Android/iOS, and strengthen defenses against 225.7 billion annual spam texts.

7 Proven Tips to Spot and Avoid Scams in 2026

7 Proven Tips to Spot and Avoid Scams in 2026

Discover practical tips to recognize and dodge 2026 scams like fake sweepstakes, impersonation, gig platform fraud on Upwork and Fiverr, and food delivery tricks. Backed by FTC data, victim stories, and tested detection apps for consumers, seniors, and freelancers.

10 Phishing Email Examples: Spot the Red Flags in 2026

10 Phishing Email Examples: Spot the Red Flags in 2026

Discover 10 phishing email examples with subject lines, themes, and urgency phrases from 2025-2026. Learn to recognize scams like Microsoft account alerts and fake invoices to protect yourself as a consumer or employee.

7 Proven Tips to Dispute Robocalls and Stop Unwanted Calls in 2026

7 Proven Tips to Dispute Robocalls and Stop Unwanted Calls in 2026

Discover practical tips to dispute robocalls through FCC complaints, do-not-call requests, TCPA rights, and spotting illegal calls. Reclaim your phone amid 2026's rising complaint trends with FCC-backed steps.

Get Rich Quick Scams: FTC Busts, Crypto Traps, and How to Spot Them in 2026

Get Rich Quick Scams: FTC Busts, Crypto Traps, and How to Spot Them in 2026

Discover get rich quick scams, FTC cases like $48.6M Growth Cave AI fraud and $15M FBA Machine, crypto trends including impersonation scams up 1400% YoY, and a checklist to spot work-at-home and gig traps for consumers and job seekers.

7 Tips: How to File Robocall Complaints with FCC and FTC

7 Tips: How to File Robocall Complaints with FCC and FTC

Step-by-step guide for US consumers: Report robocalls to the FCC or FTC with key details like phone numbers. Learn submission options, what happens next, and agency differences for effective complaints.

Crypto Scam Recovery Steps in 2026: Step-by-Step Guide to Protect Assets and Report

Crypto Scam Recovery Steps in 2026: Step-by-Step Guide to Protect Assets and Report

Discover essential crypto scam recovery steps in 2026: secure accounts, preserve evidence, report to IC3, FTC, and more. Learn blockchain tracing, legal options, and how to avoid recovery scams without guarantees.

7 Proven Tips to Block Robocalls in 2026: FTC and FCC Guide

7 Proven Tips to Block Robocalls in 2026: FTC and FCC Guide

Discover 7 FTC- and FCC-backed tips to block robocalls on smartphones, landlines, and VoIP in 2026. Learn about apps, provider services, phone features, and devices to stop spam calls before they ring.