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Friday, October 23, 2026

2 stories in this edition

FTC Sues Passport Sites It Says Posed as the Government

The agency alleges GovAssist and Entry bought Google ads for searches like "passport renewal" and charged travelers for help they could get from the State Department.

By Finance Unc

The Federal Trade Commission has sued GovAssist LLC, Entry LLC and Scott Zuckerman, alleging that since at least October 2023 their websites, including GovAssist.com, Entry.com and IVS.us, impersonated the U.S. State Department or claimed to be affiliated with it to sell passport and visa services, the agency said October 22. The defendants have not had their day in court; the allegations are the FTC's.

According to the complaint, the companies paid for Google search ads that appeared as top sponsored results for phrases such as "apply for a new passport," "how can I renew my passport" and "passport renewal online," leading travelers to believe they were dealing with the government or an authorized provider. The FTC also alleges false promises about the service to obtain people's financial and personal information.

The official source for U.S. passports is the State Department at travel.state.gov, where many adults can renew online. Look for a .gov address before entering any information, and be wary of the ads above search results, which can be bought by anyone. If you paid a site you thought was the government, the FTC takes reports at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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FTC, suit over a government impersonation scheme

notice 30-year fixed mortgage average (Freddie Mac)Nationwide7.32% (Oct 22), from 7.40%; 15-year 6.68%checked Oct 23

Rates

Mortgage Rates Dip to 7.32 Percent as the 10-Year Falls Below 5

Freddie Mac's 30-year average fell from 7.40 percent. A day later, a rush into Treasurys pushed the 10-year yield to its lowest close in more than a month.

By Finance Unc

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 7.32 percent in Freddie Mac's weekly survey released October 22, down from 7.40 percent the week before. The 15-year fixed averaged 6.68 percent.

Rates could ease further. Mortgage rates track the 10-year Treasury yield, and that yield fell sharply on Thursday as investors moved into government bonds during a stock market sell-off led by technology shares, after a report that the U.S. and Israel might resume strikes on Iran pushed oil higher. Treasury's own daily figures put the 10-year at 4.96 percent on October 22, down 0.17 point in a day, its first close below 5 percent in about a month. The 2-year fell to 4.65 percent and the 30-year to 5.29 percent.

The Federal Reserve announces its next rate decision Wednesday, October 28; markets broadly expect it to hold its target range at 3.75 to 4 percent. Freddie Mac's survey reflects rates for borrowers with strong credit and a 20 percent down payment, so quotes vary. If you are shopping, compare the annual percentage rate and fees on the Loan Estimate each lender must give you within three business days of applying.

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