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Fraud alert, freeze or lock after Equifax? Answers to questions people are asking you By Lisa Schifferle After the Equifax breach, your customers, clients, and employees may be coming to you with questions. Some people are considering placing a fraud alert on their credit file. Others are thinking about freezing or locking their credit files to help prevent identity thieves from opening new accounts in their name. Here are some FAQs to help you help them think through their options. Read more > Publications.USA.gov is Being Discontinued - Stay Engaged! After six years of serving the American public and consumers, the Publications.USA.gov website has been discontinued. Thank you for being a loyal visitor to the site! You can still stay engaged with USA.gov in the following ways: Order the Consumer Action Handbook, Guia del Consumidor, and our popular government posters directly from USA.gov Browse the USA.gov site and find hundreds of articles about popular government services and programs. They’re all organized by topic.  Sign up for emails in both English and Spanish on the same topics that you received publications about. How Seasonal Work Can Impact Your Benefits  Seasonal work is advertised constantly throughout the holiday season. Do you know how seasonal work affects your Social Security benefits? Learn how seasonal work can help you earn credits and impact your benefits whether you're currently collecting or will in the future. FTC Seeks Public Input in Review of the Recycled Oil Rule As part of the Federal Trade Commission's systematic review of all current FTC rules and guides, the FTC is seeking public comment on the costs, benefits, and regulatory and economic impact of its rule specifying Test Procedures and Labeling Standards for Recycled Oil (“Recycled Oil Rule”). The Rule, issued in 1995, allows manufacturers to represent that processed used engine oil is substantially equivalent to new oil as long as they substantiate such claims using American Petroleum Institute Publication 1509. The Commission vote approving the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was 2-0. It is available on the FTC's website and as a link to this press release and will be published in the Federal Register soon. Instructions for filing comments appear in the Federal Register Notice. Comments must be received by February 12, 2018; they will be posted at www.ftc.gov/policy/public-comments. (FTC File No. P811006; the staff contact is Hampton Newsome, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 202-326-2889). The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about consumer topics and file a consumer complaint online or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357). Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, read our blogs and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources. FTC Approves Final Consent Order in Moonlight Slumber, LLC Advertising Case Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final consent order settling its first-ever case against a company making “organic” product claims. According to the FTC’s September 28, 2017 complaint, in marketing and advertising its baby mattresses, Moonlight Slumber, LLC misrepresented a range of claims on its website and packaging. The FTC alleged the company represented that its Starlight Simplicity and Little Star mattresses were “organic,” when, in fact, the substantial majority of the content of these mattresses is non-organic. The complaint also alleged the company represented that its Little Star mattress contained a “Natural Latex Core.” In truth, however, the latex used in this mattress is synthetic. Moonlight Slumber also represented that many of its mattresses were made from plant-based foam, when, according to the FTC, the foam used in the mattresses actually contains little or no plant-based material. The complaint further charged that the company falsely claimed that testing proved there were no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from its products, even though Moonlight Slumber did not actually possess such evidence. Finally, the complaint alleged that the company’s mattresses were certified by the “Green Safety Shield,” while failing to disclose that the seal was Moonlight Slumber’s own designation, and that Moonlight Slumber awarded it to its own products. The Commission order settling the charges prohibits Moonlight Slumber from making the misleading representations alleged in the complaint and requires it to have competent and reliable evidence to support any claims it makes in these areas. The order also prohibits the company from representing that covered products are emissions-free or VOC-free, unless it has evidence to back up such claims. The order further bars the company from misrepresenting the results of any tests or studies, or that any claimed benefit is scientifically or clinically proven. It also prohibits the company from disseminating misleading certifications, or from failing to disclose that the company has a material connection to an endorser. Springfield Smoked Fish Recalls Smoked Salmon Because Of Possible Health Risk Springfield Smoked Fish of Springfield, Ma.is recalling its 1lb. packages Prescliced Nova Salmon because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. The recalled packages were distributed to customers in Rhode Island and Connecticut through retail stores. The product comes in a 1lb, clear plastic package marked with lot # 42173 on the back of the package and with an expiration date of 12/22/17. UPC 811907018018. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.