WEATHER ALERT
Lyft pays $2.1 million to settle case alleging the ride-hailing service deceived drivers
Read full article: Lyft pays $2.1 million to settle case alleging the ride-hailing service deceived driversLyft is paying $2.1 million to settle a lawsuit accusing the ride-hailing service of exaggerating how much money drivers could make while the company was trying to recover from a steep downturn in demand during the pandemic.
Tapestry, Capri file notice to appeal court decision blocking their $8.5 billion merger
Read full article: Tapestry, Capri file notice to appeal court decision blocking their $8.5 billion mergerTapestry and Capri Holdings have filed their notice to jointly appeal the decision by a U.S. District judge to temporarily halt the merger between the makers of Coach and Michael Kors handbags, according to a court filing Monday.
Tell Us: FTC’s new rules should make ending subscriptions less of a hurdle. Have you had issues canceling memberships?
Read full article: Tell Us: FTC’s new rules should make ending subscriptions less of a hurdle. Have you had issues canceling memberships?The Federal Trade Commission this week released a final rule called “Click to Cancel,” which says online subscriptions should require the same amount of clicks to end as they do to sign up, and in-person signups should have the option to cancel online or over the phone.
US agency adopts rule to make it easier for consumers to cancel unwanted subscriptions
Read full article: US agency adopts rule to make it easier for consumers to cancel unwanted subscriptionsThe Federal Trade Commission has adopted a rule that will require businesses to make it easy for consumers to cancel unwanted subscriptions and memberships.
Did someone tell you to pay a fine or bill with a gift card? Don’t do it! It’s a scam, the FTC warns
Read full article: Did someone tell you to pay a fine or bill with a gift card? Don’t do it! It’s a scam, the FTC warnsNo real business or government agency will ever tell you to buy a gift card to pay them. Here’s how to spot and avoid gift card scams.
Marriott agrees to pay $52 million, beef up data security to resolve probes over data breaches
Read full article: Marriott agrees to pay $52 million, beef up data security to resolve probes over data breachesMarriott International has agreed to pay $52 million and make changes to bolster its data security.
Judge rules the FTC can proceed with antitrust lawsuit against Amazon, tosses out few state claims
Read full article: Judge rules the FTC can proceed with antitrust lawsuit against Amazon, tosses out few state claimsA federal judge said the Federal Trade Commission can proceed with its landmark antitrust lawsuit against Amazon.
Amazon's $4 billion partnership with AI startup Anthropic gets UK competition clearance
Read full article: Amazon's $4 billion partnership with AI startup Anthropic gets UK competition clearanceBritain’s competition watchdog has cleared Amazon’s partnership with artificial intelligence company Anthropic because the $4 billion deal didn’t qualify for further scrutiny.
Invitation Homes agrees to pay $48 million to settle claims it saddled tenants with hidden fees
Read full article: Invitation Homes agrees to pay $48 million to settle claims it saddled tenants with hidden feesThe nation’s largest owner of single-family homes for rent has agreed to pay $48 million to settle claims by the Federal Trade Commission.
High insulin prices spur a federal lawsuit against three pharmacy benefit managers
Read full article: High insulin prices spur a federal lawsuit against three pharmacy benefit managersThe federal government is suing some pharmacy benefit managers over a system of drug rebates that regulators say has made the price of insulin soar for patients.
Kroger and Albertsons make a final pitch for their merger before a judge decides whether to block it
Read full article: Kroger and Albertsons make a final pitch for their merger before a judge decides whether to block itKroger and Albertsons have made their final argument in federal court in support of their proposed merger.
If someone says you missed jury duty and need to pay a fine now over the phone, it’s a scam!
Read full article: If someone says you missed jury duty and need to pay a fine now over the phone, it’s a scam!Missing jury duty can come with real consequences. You could face a fine, go to court, or even get arrested. Scammers take advantage of that to get your money or sensitive information. But their story is a lie.
Clay County Sheriff’s Office issues warning about Bitcoin ATM scam
Read full article: Clay County Sheriff’s Office issues warning about Bitcoin ATM scamCases of Bitcoin ATM fraud have started popping up in Clay County and now the Sheriff’s Office is warning people to be alert after a deputy saved an elderly woman from becoming the scam’s next victim.
CEOs of Albertsons and Kroger says shoppers would see lower prices after merger
Read full article: CEOs of Albertsons and Kroger says shoppers would see lower prices after mergerThe chief executive officers of Kroger and Albertsons have insisted that merging would allow the two supermarket companies to lower prices and more effectively compete with retail giants like Walmart and Amazon.
How to get legitimate information about your federal student loans
Read full article: How to get legitimate information about your federal student loansScammers spread fake information about your student loans to try to get money or information from you. We've got some ways to tell the difference, from the FTC.
Kroger and Albertsons defend merger plan in federal court against US regulators' objections
Read full article: Kroger and Albertsons defend merger plan in federal court against US regulators' objectionsA lawyer for supermarket chain Albertsons has told a federal judge that the company might have to lay off workers and close stores if its planned merger with Kroger isn’t allowed to proceed.
FTC's bid to ban noncompete agreements rejected by federal judge in Texas
Read full article: FTC's bid to ban noncompete agreements rejected by federal judge in TexasA federal judge in Texas has blocked a new rule from the Federal Trade Commission that would have made it easier for employees to quit a job and work for a competitor.
The US government wants to make it easier for you to click the 'unsubscribe' button
Read full article: The US government wants to make it easier for you to click the 'unsubscribe' buttonIn the name of consumer protection, a slew of U.S. federal agencies are working to make it easier for Americans to click the unsubscribe button for unwanted memberships and recurring payment services.
FTC orders 8 companies to provide information on 'surveillance pricing' practices
Read full article: FTC orders 8 companies to provide information on 'surveillance pricing' practicesThe Federal Trade Commission has ordered information from eight companies that the agency says offer products and services that use personal data to set prices based on a shopper’s individual characteristics.
If you’re active-duty military & you’re lending a helping hand, don’t hand over your phone, the FTC warns
Read full article: If you’re active-duty military & you’re lending a helping hand, don’t hand over your phone, the FTC warnsPeople are reporting millions of dollars lost in a scam that targets active-duty military and plays on their desire to help.
Feds warn cannabis sellers to stop using packaging that looks like food popular with children
Read full article: Feds warn cannabis sellers to stop using packaging that looks like food popular with childrenThe FTC and FDA are calling out five sellers of edible cannabis products using packaging that imitates foods popular with kids.
That letter about a long-lost relative’s life insurance policy or inheritance might be tempting — but it’s a scam!
Read full article: That letter about a long-lost relative’s life insurance policy or inheritance might be tempting — but it’s a scam!People are getting letters in the mail from a law firm saying that one of their clients has died and they’re looking for the heir. It's a scam, the FTC warns.
FTC says gig company Arise misled consumers about how much money they could make on its platform
Read full article: FTC says gig company Arise misled consumers about how much money they could make on its platformThe Federal Trade Commission is taking action against a gig work company, saying it misled people about the money they could make on its platform.
FTC unanimously moves to block Tempur Sealy's purchase of Mattress Firm
Read full article: FTC unanimously moves to block Tempur Sealy's purchase of Mattress FirmThe Federal Trade Commission has unanimously voted to bring a lawsuit against mattress maker Tempur Sealy to block its $4 billion acquisition of Mattress Firm, saying the deal would allow the world’s largest mattress supplier to suppress competition that would result in higher prices for shoppers.
Finfluencers: Good advice or social media misinformation?
Read full article: Finfluencers: Good advice or social media misinformation?Instead of stepping into a financial office, many people are logging onto social media for money-saving steps. Financial influencers or “Finfluencers” are everywhere, attracting young people looking to invest. In fact, 25 percent of 18-to-24-year-olds are using social media when seeking financial advice. But experts warn to be careful who you trust.
Federal Trade Commission refers complaint about TikTok's adherence to child privacy law to the DOJ
Read full article: Federal Trade Commission refers complaint about TikTok's adherence to child privacy law to the DOJThe Federal Trade Commission has referred a complaint against TikTok and its Beijing-based parent company to the Department of Justice.
US antitrust enforcers will investigate leading AI companies Microsoft, Nvidia and OpenAI
Read full article: US antitrust enforcers will investigate leading AI companies Microsoft, Nvidia and OpenAIU.S. antitrust enforcers have decided to investigate the roles Microsoft, Nvidia and OpenAI have played in the artificial intelligence boom, according to people familiar with the pending actions.
Did your favorite celebrity really endorse that product? Maybe not
Read full article: Did your favorite celebrity really endorse that product? Maybe notBefore you spend money on that celebrity-endorsed premium cookware, weight loss product, or can’t-miss money-making opportunity, pause. Take a breath. Are you sure a celebrity or influencer is really endorsing that product or program?
Brand name product for a low, low price? Think twice, the FTC says
Read full article: Brand name product for a low, low price? Think twice, the FTC saysSocial media feeds are flooded with ads offering steep discounts on brand-name products, including luxury items. But are these offers real or a scam?
Schumer, Democrats urge Justice Department to prosecute alleged oil industry collusion, price-fixing
Read full article: Schumer, Democrats urge Justice Department to prosecute alleged oil industry collusion, price-fixingSenate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and 22 other Democratic senators are calling on the Justice Department to prevent and prosecute alleged collusion and price-fixing in the oil industry.
ConocoPhillips buying Marathon Oil for $17.1 billion in all-stock deal as energy prices rise
Read full article: ConocoPhillips buying Marathon Oil for $17.1 billion in all-stock deal as energy prices riseConocoPhillips is buying Marathon Oil in an all-stock deal valued at approximately $17.1 billion as energy prices soar and big oil companies reap massive profits.
How scammers trick you into thinking someone is using your Social Security number illegally
Read full article: How scammers trick you into thinking someone is using your Social Security number illegallyAnyone who tells you to buy gold, or withdraw cash, and give it to someone is a scammer, the Federal Trade Commission warns.
FTC sends $5.6 million in refunds to Ring customers as part of video privacy settlement
Read full article: FTC sends $5.6 million in refunds to Ring customers as part of video privacy settlementThe Federal Trade Commission is sending more than $5.6 million in refunds to consumers as part of a settlement with Amazon-owned Ring, which was charged with failing to protect private video footage from outside access.
How US changes to 'noncompete' agreements and overtime pay could affect workers
Read full article: How US changes to 'noncompete' agreements and overtime pay could affect workersFor millions of American workers, the government took two actions this week that could bestow potentially far-reaching benefits.
Noncompete agreements could be a thing of the past. How would this affect your employment search?
Read full article: Noncompete agreements could be a thing of the past. How would this affect your employment search?U.S. companies would no longer be able to bar employees from taking jobs with competitors under a rule approved by a federal agency, though the rule is sure to be challenged in court.
New federal rule would bar 'noncompete' agreements for most employees
Read full article: New federal rule would bar 'noncompete' agreements for most employeesU.S. companies would no longer be able to bar employees from taking jobs with competitors under a rule approved by a federal agency, though the rule is sure to be challenged in court.
Warning from FTC about mystery shopping, (fake) checks & gift cards
Read full article: Warning from FTC about mystery shopping, (fake) checks & gift cardsIf you’re looking for a new job, getting paid to shop might sound like a dream. But while some mystery shopping jobs are legitimate, many aren’t. So how do you spot the scams?
Key lawmakers float new rules for personal data protection; bill would make privacy a consumer right
Read full article: Key lawmakers float new rules for personal data protection; bill would make privacy a consumer rightTwo lawmakers from opposing parties are floating a new plan to protect the privacy of Americans' personal data.
TikTok is under investigation by the FTC over data practices and could face a lawsuit
Read full article: TikTok is under investigation by the FTC over data practices and could face a lawsuitA person familiar with the matter says the Federal Trade Commission is investigating TikTok over its data and security practices.
Do you know your rights as a renter when it comes to background checks?
Read full article: Do you know your rights as a renter when it comes to background checks?Many renters pay for tenant background checks, but they don’t get to see the reports that landlords use, which may include mistakes like information that's outdated, misleading, or that belongs to someone else.
FTC report suggests high grocery bills likely due to ‘greedflation’ caused by big corporations
Read full article: FTC report suggests high grocery bills likely due to ‘greedflation’ caused by big corporationsA new report from the Federal Trade Commission suggests grocery giants used inflation and supply chain disruptions during the pandemic to drive their profits and keep raising prices.
What the FTC wants you to know before you click on a ‘free’ computer security scan
Read full article: What the FTC wants you to know before you click on a ‘free’ computer security scanScammers are impersonating well-known companies and scaring you into paying to fix computer problems that might not exist, the Federal Trade Commission warns.
Reddit reveals FTC inquiry into deals licensing its users' data for AI training
Read full article: Reddit reveals FTC inquiry into deals licensing its users' data for AI trainingReddit says the Federal Trade Commission has opened an inquiry into the social media platform's sale, licensing or sharing of user posts and other content to outside organizations for use in training artificial intelligence models.
Pause before you jump on spring break travel deals to make sure it’s not a scam, FTC warns
Read full article: Pause before you jump on spring break travel deals to make sure it’s not a scam, FTC warnsWhen you’re planning a trip, you might be tempted to jump on an offer for a great deal. Unfortunately, scammers sometimes hide behind those offers.
Microsoft engineer sounds alarm on AI image-generator to US officials and company's board
Read full article: Microsoft engineer sounds alarm on AI image-generator to US officials and company's boardA Microsoft engineer is sounding an alarm about offensive and harmful imagery he says is too easily made by the company’s artificial intelligence image-generator tool.
QR code warning: How the handy codes can be used by scammers
Read full article: QR code warning: How the handy codes can be used by scammersMore than 94 million Americans will use their phones to scan a QR code this year. However, the Federal Trade Commission has issued a new warning about these handy codes.
US sues to block merger of grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons, saying it could push prices higher
Read full article: US sues to block merger of grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons, saying it could push prices higherThe Federal Trade Commission is suing to block a proposed merger between grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons.
State governments looking to protect health-related data as it's used in abortion battle
Read full article: State governments looking to protect health-related data as it's used in abortion battleState governments across the U.S. are adopting or considering laws that would block the sale of personal health data or information about who visits sensitive sites such as sexual health facilities.
Highest losses ever reported to FTC in 2023. Here are the top scams of the year
Read full article: Highest losses ever reported to FTC in 2023. Here are the top scams of the yearThe Federal Trade Commission's Data Book shows that people who reported scams to the FTC lost $10 billion in 2023, the highest losses ever reported to the agency.
TurboTax maker Intuit barred from advertising 'free' tax services without disclosing who's eligible
Read full article: TurboTax maker Intuit barred from advertising 'free' tax services without disclosing who's eligibleU.S. regulators have barred TurboTax maker Intuit Inc. from advertising its services as “free” unless they are free for all customers, or if eligibility is clearly disclosed.
The FTC wants to hear from you about children’s online privacy
Read full article: The FTC wants to hear from you about children’s online privacyThe FTC wants to hear from you about the protections the agency is considering when it comes to what information websites can collect from children and how they use and share that information.
FTC: 3 ways to spot rip-offs while you’re last-minute shopping
Read full article: FTC: 3 ways to spot rip-offs while you’re last-minute shoppingScammers are impersonating real companies in ads on Facebook, TikTok, and other social media platforms. So, how do you navigate past the fakes without passing up the real bargains?
FTC proposes strengthening children's online privacy rules to address tracking, push notifications
Read full article: FTC proposes strengthening children's online privacy rules to address tracking, push notificationsThe Federal Trade Commission is proposing sweeping changes to a decades-old law that regulates how companies can track and advertise to children, including turning off targeted ads to kids under 13 by default.
Rite Aid banned from facial recognition tech use for 5 years after faulty theft targeting in stores
Read full article: Rite Aid banned from facial recognition tech use for 5 years after faulty theft targeting in storesRite Aid has been banned from using facial recognition technology for five years over allegations that a surveillance system it used incorrectly identified potential shoplifters, especially Black, Latino, Asian or female shoppers.
Amazon asks federal judge to dismiss the FTC's antitrust lawsuit against the company
Read full article: Amazon asks federal judge to dismiss the FTC's antitrust lawsuit against the companyAttorneys for Amazon have asked a federal judge to dismiss the Federal Trade Commission’s antitrust lawsuit against the e-commerce giant.
FTC opens inquiry of Chevron-Hess merger, marking second review this week of major oil industry deal
Read full article: FTC opens inquiry of Chevron-Hess merger, marking second review this week of major oil industry dealThe Federal Trade Commission is investigating Chevron’s acquisition of Hess oil company, the second inquiry the independent agency has opened this week of a major oil industry merger.
Federal Trade Commission is investigating ExxonMobil's $60B deal to acquire a Texas oil company
Read full article: Federal Trade Commission is investigating ExxonMobil's $60B deal to acquire a Texas oil companySecurity filings show the Federal Trade Commission is investigating ExxonMobil’s $60 billion deal to acquire a Texas oil company, potentially one the largest energy industry mergers in two decades.
Facebook parent Meta sues the FTC claiming 'unconstitutional authority' in child privacy case
Read full article: Facebook parent Meta sues the FTC claiming 'unconstitutional authority' in child privacy caseThe parent company of Instagram and Facebook has sued the Federal Trade Commission in an attempt to stop the agency from reopening a 2020 privacy settlement with the company that would prohibit it from profiting from data it collects on users under 18.
FTC warns food industry trade groups and influencers about disclosures on paid social media posts
Read full article: FTC warns food industry trade groups and influencers about disclosures on paid social media postsThe Federal Trade Commission says it issued warnings to two food and beverage industry groups, as well as to a dozen online influencers and dieticians for failing to adequately disclose paid social media posts that promoted a sweetener and sugary products.
Amazon used an algorithm to essentially raise prices on other sites, the FTC says
Read full article: Amazon used an algorithm to essentially raise prices on other sites, the FTC saysA newly unredacted portion of the Federal Trade Commission's antitrust lawsuit against Amazon says the company used a secret algorithm that essentially helped the company raise prices on other online sites.
The White House has proposed cracking down on junk fees. Here's how to avoid them
Read full article: The White House has proposed cracking down on junk fees. Here's how to avoid themThe Biden administration has proposed increasing transparency around junk fees, which are hidden or misleading charges that increase the total cost of concert tickets, hotel rooms, and other goods and services.
Schumer and other Senate Democrats call for a federal probe of huge oil deals by Exxon and Chevron
Read full article: Schumer and other Senate Democrats call for a federal probe of huge oil deals by Exxon and ChevronSenate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and other Democratic senators are urging federal regulators to investigate multibillion-dollar acquisitions by oil giants ExxonMobil and Chevron, saying the deals could lead to higher prices at the gas pump.
National agencies permanently extend free weekly credit reports
Read full article: National agencies permanently extend free weekly credit reportsThe three national credit reporting agencies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — have permanently extended a program that lets you check your credit report at each of the agencies once a week for free.
The Amazon antitrust lawsuit is likely to be a long and arduous journey for the FTC
Read full article: The Amazon antitrust lawsuit is likely to be a long and arduous journey for the FTCThe Federal Trade Commission’s long-awaited antitrust lawsuit against Amazon is the most aggressive move it has taken yet to tame the market power of a company that’s become synonymous with online shopping and fast deliveries.
STOP: Before you approve that friend request, make sure it’s not from a scammer
Read full article: STOP: Before you approve that friend request, make sure it’s not from a scammerSince 2021, people have reported losing $2.7 billion to scams that started on social media — way more than with any other contact method, the FTC says.
Were you billed for an SBA EIDL or PPP loan you don’t owe? Here’s what to do
Read full article: Were you billed for an SBA EIDL or PPP loan you don’t owe? Here’s what to doDid you get a bill for a Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan or COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) you never applied for? If the answer is yes, an identity thief probably used your personal information to get the loan.
Amazon sued by FTC and 17 states over allegations it inflates online prices and overcharges sellers
Read full article: Amazon sued by FTC and 17 states over allegations it inflates online prices and overcharges sellersThe Federal Trade Commission and 17 state attorneys general have filed an antitrust lawsuit against Amazon.
Did your kids buy gear in Fortnite without asking you? The FTC says you could get a refund
Read full article: Did your kids buy gear in Fortnite without asking you? The FTC says you could get a refundThe Federal Trade Commission announced late last year that Epic Games would pay $520 million in penalties and refunds to settle complaints revolving around children’s privacy and its payment methods that tricked players into making unintended purchases.
The scams reported most often by Latino communities & how to avoid them
Read full article: The scams reported most often by Latino communities & how to avoid themScams and reported bad business practices can play out differently in different communities. So, what do scams and bad business practices look like in the Latino community?
US says Elon Musk should not be immune to testifying about the former Twitter
Read full article: US says Elon Musk should not be immune to testifying about the former TwitterThe U.S. government says the former Twitter’s request to end oversight of its data privacy and security practices is “meritless” and owner Elon Musk should not be immune to testifying about the company since he has “first-hand knowledge” of the conduct being investigated.
Children's advocates ask FTC to investigate Google for targeting ads to kids
Read full article: Children's advocates ask FTC to investigate Google for targeting ads to kidsChildren's advocacy groups including Fairplay and Common Sense Media are asking the Federal Trade Commission to investigate Google, saying the tech giant serves personalized ads to kids on YouTube despite federal law prohibiting the practice.