Tag:

Consumer Rights

Fridge Owners May Cash In On New Settlement: See How Much Fridge Owners May Cash In On New Settlement: See How Much
Fridge Owners May Cash In On New Settlement: See How Much People who bought certain refrigerators in recent years could be eligible for money or free repairs after a lawsuit claimed the appliances had defective wiring. Whirlpool agreed to a class-action settlement covering some side-by-side refrigerators with in-door ice makers, water dispensers, and control panels. The fridges were made between 2018 and 2021, according to the settlement's website. The lawsuit, filed in February 2024, claims the refrigerators contain wires inside the door that can become brittle and break over time. Repeatedly opening and closing the doors can cause the …
Supermarket Chain Sues Major Egg Producers Over Alleged Price Fixing Supermarket Chain Sues Major Egg Producers Over Alleged Price Fixing
Supermarket Chain Sues Major Egg Producers Over Alleged Price Fixing New York-based supermarket chain King Kullen is accusing the largest egg producers in the US of conspiring to artificially inflate the price of conventional shell eggs.  A lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, claims the alleged scheme has cost retailers and consumers hundreds of millions of dollars since January 2022. The complaint alleges that major egg producers, including Cal-Maine Foods, Rose Acre Farms, Hillandale Farms, and others, worked together to manipulate egg prices by controlling industry benchmarks and coordinating price increases.…
Deadline Nears For Filing Claims In $8.9M Soda Settlement: How To Get Paid Deadline Nears For Filing Claims In $8.9M Soda Settlement: How To Get Paid
Deadline Nears For Filing Claims In $8.9M Soda Settlement: How To Get Paid Poppi drinkers have just days left to claim their share of an $8.9 million settlement over the prebiotic soda brand's "gut healthy" marketing claims. The Texas-based brand, now owned by PepsiCo, agreed to pay nearly $9 million to resolve a class action lawsuit accusing it of misleading customers with health-focused advertising. Poppi denies wrongdoing but agreed to the payout to close the case. The settlement covers anyone who bought any size or flavor of Poppi soda between Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020, and Friday, July 18, 2025. Claims must be filed online at poppisettlement.com or by mail…
Fans Overcharged Billions In Massive Ticketmaster Resale Scheme, FTC Says Fans Overcharged Billions In Massive Ticketmaster Resale Scheme, FTC Says
Fans Overcharged Billions In Massive Ticketmaster Resale Scheme, FTC Says Live Nation and Ticketmaster are facing a federal lawsuit after the ticketing giants were accused of secretly working with brokers to resell tickets at inflated prices, costing fans billions of dollars. The Federal Trade Commission announced the lawsuit against Ticketmaster and its parent company, Live Nation Entertainment, in a news release on Thursday, Sept. 18. The companies are accused of using illegal ticket resale tactics, misleading artists and customers. The complaint claims Ticketmaster allowed brokers to bypass security measures, buy tickets well above stated limits, and…
Personal Data Breach Hits Major Credit Bureau, Exposing Millions: What To Know Personal Data Breach Hits Major Credit Bureau, Exposing Millions: What To Know
Personal Data Breach Hits Major Credit Bureau, Exposing Millions: What To Know More than four million people had their personal information compromised after a credit bureau suffered a major data breach. TransUnion confirmed the breach impacting more than 4.4 million people, national consumer rights law firm Wolf Haldenstein announced. According to a court filing in Texas, names, birthdates, and Social Security numbers were leaked. The breach happened on Monday, July 28, Maine court documents showed. It was discovered two days later, affecting at least 4,461,511 people. A TransUnion spokesperson told CNET the incident was identified and contained within hou…
LA Fitness Trapped Customers In Gym Contracts, FTC Lawsuit Claims LA Fitness Trapped Customers In Gym Contracts, FTC Lawsuit Claims
LA Fitness Trapped Customers In Gym Contracts, FTC Lawsuit Claims Canceling gym memberships turned into a maze of hurdles for LA Fitness customers, according to a federal lawsuit. LA Fitness is accused of using "opaque and complicated methods" that made it nearly impossible for members to end recurring charges. The Federal Trade Commission announced a lawsuit against the national gym chain on Wednesday, Aug. 20. The complaint targets California-based Fitness International and Fitness & Sports Clubs. The companies operate LA Fitness along with Esporta Fitness, City Sports Club, and Club Studio.  Together, the companies run more than 600 gyms…
Dried Fruit Product Sold In 43 States Recalled Over Listeria Risk Dried Fruit Product Sold In 43 States Recalled Over Listeria Risk
Dried Fruit Product Sold In 43 States Recalled Over Listeria Risk A nationwide recall is underway for a popular dried fruit snack sold through Sam’s Club, due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. Doehler Dry Ingredient Solutions, based in Cartersville, Georgia, issued the voluntary recall. This action followed internal product testing that identified harmful bacteria in select lots of its Member’s Mark Freeze Dried Fruit Variety Pack. The product was distributed between Tuesday, July 1 and Friday, July 25, and shipped to stores in 43 states and Puerto Rico. No illnesses have been reported. The 15-count boxes, identified by UPC 1 9396…
Poppi Paying $8.9M Over 'Gut Healthy' Claims: How To Get Your Cash Poppi Paying $8.9M Over 'Gut Healthy' Claims: How To Get Your Cash
Poppi Paying $8.9M Over 'Gut Healthy' Claims: How To Get Your Cash Poppi has agreed to pay nearly $9 million to settle claims that it falsely advertised its prebiotic sodas as "gut healthy." The Texas-based drink company reached an $8.9 million settlement in a class action lawsuit. The settlement covers anyone who bought any Poppi drink in any size or flavor between Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020, and Friday, July 18, 2025. Poppi was accused of misleading customers with health-related marketing that plaintiffs say wasn't backed by science. The brand denies any wrongdoing but agreed to the payout to resolve the case. The settlement comes after…
Nationwide Recall Issued For Yogurt Product Over Choking Risk Nationwide Recall Issued For Yogurt Product Over Choking Risk
Nationwide Recall Issued For Yogurt Product Over Choking Risk A popular brand of yogurt sold across the country has been recalled due to the risk of plastic contamination that could cause choking, according to federal officials. Danone North America has voluntarily pulled multiple YoCrunch products after transparent plastic pieces were found in the dome toppers that hold candy and granola mix-ins.  The pieces, some reportedly as long as 25 millimeters, may have sharp edges and pose a risk if swallowed. The issue affects only the toppings, not the yogurt itself, and spans all flavors and package sizes currently on the market. The recall, initiate…
Salesman's 'Crazy' Tactic To Lure LI Woman Outside Sparks Outrage: 'I'm Still Pissed' (VIDEO) Salesman's 'Crazy' Tactic To Lure LI Woman Outside Sparks Outrage: 'I'm Still Pissed' (VIDEO)
Salesman's 'Crazy' Tactic To Lure LI Woman Outside Sparks Outrage: 'I'm Still Pissed' (Video) A Long Island woman is putting a pest control company on blast after one of its salesmen used a disturbing tactic in an effort to lure her outside. In a now-viral TikTok video, the woman recounted how a door-to-door salesman from Ecoshield Pest Solutions in Hicksville stopped by her home in late May. A doorbell camera captured her repeatedly telling the man she’s not interested as he continues to stand firmly on her front lawn. He lingers, then suddenly says, “I was just gonna let you know your dog got out.” When she immediately replies that her dog didn’t get out, the man gestures toward …
Uber One Trapped Users In Subscriptions They Didn't Want, FTC Claims In Lawsuit Uber One Trapped Users In Subscriptions They Didn't Want, FTC Claims In Lawsuit
Uber One Trapped Users In Subscriptions They Didn't Want, FTC Claims In Lawsuit Uber promised convenience, but federal regulators say the company trapped users in subscriptions they never asked for and made it nearly impossible to leave. The Federal Trade Commission accused Uber of secretly enrolling customers in its Uber One program, which launched in 2021. The FTC filed the lawsuit and announced it on Monday, April 21. The agency said Uber charged customers before trials ended, and buried cancellation behind up to 32 steps – despite a "cancel anytime" pledge. "Americans are tired of getting signed up for unwanted subscriptions that seem impossible to …
Cash App Users To Get Refunds In $175M Order As Feds Target Fraud Cash App Users To Get Refunds In $175M Order As Feds Target Fraud
Cash App Users To Get Refunds In $175M Order As Feds Target Fraud Cash App's parent company will have to pay $175 million for poorly protecting its users from fraud and financial crimes on the payment platform, officials said. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ordered Block to refund up to $120 million to users harmed by fraud, the federal agency said in a news release on Thursday, Jan. 16. The parent company of Cash App, which has more than 56 million accounts, must also pay a $55 million fine into the CFPB’s victims relief fund. The CFPB found that Block failed to properly investigate unauthorized transactions and deprived users of…
Capital One Kept $2B In Savings Account Interest From Banking Customers, CFPB Suit Says Capital One Kept $2B In Savings Account Interest From Banking Customers, CFPB Suit Says
Capital One Kept $2B In Savings Account Interest From Banking Customers, Cfpb Suit Says The federal government is suing Captial One, accusing the banking giant of deceiving consumers and withholding more than $2 billion in interest payments on savings accounts. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) filed a lawsuit against Capital One and its parent company, the agency said in a news release on Tuesday, Jan. 14. The CFPB accused Capital One of marketing its "360 Savings" accounts as offering some of the nation's highest interest rates but froze those rates while competitors' rates climbed. Simultaneously, the bank introduced a nearly identical product, "360 …
PA Attorney General Warns Consumers Amid Big Lots Bankruptcy, Closures PA Attorney General Warns Consumers Amid Big Lots Bankruptcy, Closures
PA Attorney General Warns Consumers Amid Big Lots Bankruptcy, Closures Attorney General Michelle Henry is warning Pennsylvanians to protect themselves as Big Lots closes its remaining 64 stores across the state amidst Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. The retailer began going-out-of-business sales on Dec. 20, 2024, following a federal bankruptcy court order. Henry issued the alert on Friday, Jan. 10, to ensure consumers understand their rights and avoid potential financial losses during the liquidation process. “Consumers should take steps to safeguard their purchases and claims as Big Lots winds down operations,” Henry said. The Attorney General’s Office of…
Cancelling That Gym Membership Is About To Get Much Easier Under NY Law Cancelling That Gym Membership Is About To Get Much Easier Under NY Law
Cancelling That Gym Membership Is About To Get Much Easier Under NY Law Ready to ditch that New Year’s fitness resolution already? New York is making it easier. A new state law set to take effect on Saturday, Feb. 1 requires gyms and health clubs to process and issue refunds within 10 business days of receiving a membership cancellation request. Gymgoers also cannot be penalized if the request is made within the first three days of signing a gym contract. The new law comes as welcome news for gym-goers who have long faced challenges when trying to cancel memberships. Democratic State Sen. Roxanne Persaud, who sponsored the bill, said it will empower New Yorke…
Alleged Eavesdropping Costs $95 Million As Apple Reaches Siri Settlement Alleged Eavesdropping Costs $95 Million As Apple Reaches Siri Settlement
Alleged Eavesdropping Costs $95 Million As Apple Reaches Siri Settlement Apple will pay a $95 million settlement regarding allegations that its virtual assistant, Siri, eavesdropped on users without their consent, according to multiple reports. The settlement, filed in federal court in Oakland, California this week, addresses a lawsuit that dates back five years and must be approved by a US District judge at a hearing on Friday, Feb. 14, Bloomberg Law reports. The lawsuit claims that Siri was activated to record conversations even when users did not use the launching phrase, “Hey, Siri.” These recordings were allegedly shared with third parties s to target user…
Court Dismisses Lawsuit Claiming Finger Was Found In Salad At Mount Kisco Eatery Court Dismisses Lawsuit Claiming Finger Was Found In Salad At Mount Kisco Eatery
Court Dismisses Lawsuit Claiming Finger Was Found In Salad At Mount Kisco Eatery A court has discontinued a lawsuit filed against a restaurant chain by a Connecticut woman who claimed she found herself chewing on part of a severed human finger while eating a salad served at one of the company's locations in New York.  The lawsuit, filed against Rye Brook-based Chop't Creative Salad Company LLC by Fairfield County resident Allison Cozzi of Greenwich, was discontinued by the Westchester County Supreme Court on Thursday, July 11.  Cozzi, who brought the suit against Chop't in November, claimed she found part of a severed finger inside her meal…
'Rage Bait'? Mass Influencer's Rant Over Whole Foods Apple Prices Leaves Sour Taste Online 'Rage Bait'? Mass Influencer's Rant Over Whole Foods Apple Prices Leaves Sour Taste Online
'Rage Bait'? Mass Influencer's Rant Over Whole Foods Apple Prices Leaves Sour Taste Online Her attempt at garnering online sympathy by and large turned up fruitless. A Massachusetts social media influencer was outraged after claiming she spent an eye-popping amount of money on a single apple during a recent trip to Whole Foods Market. In a now-deleted, expletive-filled rant on TikTok, Boston-based Via Li claimed the grocery giant charged her $7 for one organic Sugarbee apple. “Guess how much this is. This is an apple, it's called a Sugarbee (expletive) apple apparently and look at it,” she says in the clip. “The size of my palm. I thought it was like probably two to three dolla…
Joe Fiordaliso, Former Livingston Mayor, Public Utilities President, Dies At 78 Joe Fiordaliso, Former Livingston Mayor, Public Utilities President, Dies At 78
Joe Fiordaliso, Former Livingston Mayor, Public Utilities President, Dies At 78 Joe Fiordaliso, the longtime president of the Board of Public Utilities and three-time mayor of Livingston, died at the age of 78, Gov. Phil Murphy announced on Thursday, Sept. 7. No cause of death was provided. Fiordaliso was appointed to Murphy's cabinet in 2018, having previously served as a commissioner on the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities since 2005.  Fiordaliso was born and raised in Newark and graduated from Montclair State in 1967. He taught at Vailsburg High School and Bloomfield High School. In 1988, he was elected to the Livingston Township Council, serving for three …
$4.1M Fine For American Airlines Over Tarmac Delays — One At Reagan Airport $4.1M Fine For American Airlines Over Tarmac Delays — One At Reagan Airport
$4.1M Fine For American Airlines Over Tarmac Delays — One At Reagan Airport American Airlines has been slapped with a $4.1 million fine — the largest ever over tarmac delays — including one that happened at Reagan National Airport. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) on Monday, Aug. 28 fined American Airlines $4.1 million for violating federal statutes and the Department’s rule prohibiting tarmac delays of three hours or more on domestic flights, without providing passengers an opportunity to deplane.  DOT’s investigation found that American kept dozens of flights stuck on the tarmac for long periods of time without letting passengers off.  …
Pet Biz Fined $200K For ‘Deceiving’ NYers Into Buying Sick Puppies, Kittens: AG Pet Biz Fined $200K For ‘Deceiving’ NYers Into Buying Sick Puppies, Kittens: AG
Pet Biz Fined $200K For ‘Deceiving’ NYers Into Buying Sick Puppies, Kittens: AG A pet business will have to fork over hundreds of thousands of dollars for misleading New Yorkers about the health of animals it sold. As part of a settlement agreement announced by the state Attorney General’s Office Monday, Jan. 9, Bell Pet Company, doing business as The Pet Zone, agreed to pay a civil penalty and create a restitution fund of up to $200,000 to reimburse eligible consumers for medical costs. The Attorney General’s Office said the company failed to provide complete medical records, including a full list of medication given to pets, in an attempt to hide previous illnesses.…
Chocolate Maker Hershey Sued By NY Man Alleging 'Serious Health Risk' Chocolate Maker Hershey Sued By NY Man Alleging 'Serious Health Risk'
Chocolate Maker Hershey Sued By NY Man Alleging 'Serious Health Risk' A New York man is suing chocolate maker Hershey, alleging that the company’s dark chocolate products contain harmful levels of metals, the New York Post reports.  In a class-action lawsuit filed in federal court in Central Islip on Wednesday, Dec. 28, Nassau County resident Christopher Lazazzaro said he would not have bought, or would have paid less for, Hershey’s dark chocolate products had the company disclosed their metals content. The lawsuit mentions several Hershey brands that, according to a study from Consumer Reports, were found to contain potentially harmful levels of lead an…
COVID-19: AG Recovers $40K For Couples Who Had Wedding Canceled In Hudson Valley COVID-19: AG Recovers $40K For Couples Who Had Wedding Canceled In Hudson Valley
Covid-19: AG Recovers $40K For Couples Who Had Wedding Canceled In Hudson Valley Tens of thousands of dollars were recovered by New York Attorney General Letitia James for couples who had their weddings canceled at a Hudson Valley country club during the pandemic. James announced on Monday, March 21 that her office has secured more than $40,000 for New Yorkers who had their weddings canceled due to COVID-19 mandates and shutdowns at the Orange County venue Falkirk Estate and Country Club in Central Valley. According to James, couples reported that Falkirk refused to refund them their deposits when their weddings were canceled due to pandemic restrictions on large gather…
NY AG Sues Cemetery Companies She Says Cheated Nassau Residents NY AG Sues Cemetery Companies She Says Cheated Nassau Residents
NY AG Sues Cemetery Companies She Says Cheated Nassau Residents A pair of cemetery companies are being sued by New York Attorney General Letitia James after she said they failed to provide monuments to grieving families, including some on Long Island. James announced that she has filed a lawsuit against Polanco Monuments and Heavenly Monuments, which allegedly cheated 26 customers in the Bronx and Nassau County out of more than $50,000. The lawsuit charges that “the companies and their owners engaged in a deceptive and fraudulent scheme in which they induced vulnerable New Yorkers, coping with the death of loved ones, to pay upfront fees for monuments a…
Authorities: NJ Health Club Members Now Eligible For COVID-19 Closure Refunds, Credits Authorities: NJ Health Club Members Now Eligible For COVID-19 Closure Refunds, Credits
Authorities: NJ Health Club Members Now Eligible For Covid-19 Closure Refunds, Credits New Jersey health club members may be eligible for partial refunds or credits now that an emergency order has kept gyms closed for 30 days, state officials said Friday. “Under New Jersey law, if your health club facility is closed for more than 30 days, you generally are entitled either to extend your contract with the health club facility for a period equal to the length of the closure or to receive a prorated refund of the amount you paid,” state Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said. There are exceptions. The law on refunds/credits for health clubs that are closed for more than 30 days…
Lawsuit Filed In Essex County Deems Huffman Koos' Refund Policies Illegal Lawsuit Filed In Essex County Deems Huffman Koos' Refund Policies Illegal
Lawsuit Filed In Essex County Deems Huffman Koos' Refund Policies Illegal Furniture chain Huffman Koos enforced a return and refund policy that violates the Consumer Fraud Act, says a lawsuit filed recently in Essex County. The class-action lawsuit states that HK’s contracts refuse refunds and returns once the merchandise has been delivered or picked up, NJ.com reports. “Such a policy is contrary to New Jersey regulations, which require a furniture seller to offer a full and prompt refund when furniture is delivered in a damaged condition,” said Joseph A. Osefchen of DeNittis Osefchen Prince, P.C., which filed the suit last Thursday. These policies are considere…
'Sneaky' Surcharges Reported After Court Gives NY Merchants Right To Charge For Credit Card Use 'Sneaky' Surcharges Reported After Court Gives NY Merchants Right To Charge For Credit Card Use
'Sneaky' Surcharges Reported After Court Gives NY Merchants Right To Charge For Credit Card Use Merchants in New York State, after a years-long court battle, now have the right to charge extra for credit card purchases as long as customers are notified, but some are crying foul, saying businesses are not playing fair. But some people are saying they didn’t find out they were paying more for using their credit cards at all, or, in other cases, until after seeing a "Credit Card Process Fee" on their receipts. The fees generally are in the range of about two to four percent of the bill. Merchants called for the surcharges, saying they pay a processing fee of around two percent for …
Paterson Family Finally Refunded $2,000 From No-Show Roofer Paterson Family Finally Refunded $2,000 From No-Show Roofer
Paterson Family Finally Refunded $2,000 From No-Show Roofer A local media outlet was able to return $2,000 to a Paterson family whose contractor bailed on them time and time again. Lina Aguilar, who is battling Lupus, first hired the contractor last year to repair her leaking roof and gutters, ABC7 reports. She gave him $2,000 -- but he didn't show on the start date -- or at all. Aguilar demanded a refund, but when she got it, the check bounced, according to ABC7. After months of trying to track down the contractor, the news outlet finally was able to locate the contractor, whose business had since closed down, returning Auilar's $2,000 to her in c…
Bed Bug Infestation Reported On Air India Flights From Newark Bed Bug Infestation Reported On Air India Flights From Newark
Bed Bug Infestation Reported On Air India Flights From Newark Passengers on multiple Air India flights out of Newark Liberty International Airport are reporting an infestation of bed bugs in the aircraft seats. Among them Pravin Tonsekar, who sat in the business class seats for a 17-hour flight Tuesday with his wife and kids. "All our seats infested with bed bugs," he said in a Tweet. "Sir , have heard of bed bugs on trains but shocked to experience on our maharaja and that too business." Air India replied with an apology. On Wednesday, Twitter user @roscrow reported bed bug bites all over his wife and kids' bodies after a flight…
Lawsuit: Pet Store Chain With Hudson Valley Locale Illegally Sold Puppies Lawsuit: Pet Store Chain With Hudson Valley Locale Illegally Sold Puppies
Lawsuit: Pet Store Chain With Hudson Valley Locale Illegally Sold Puppies A pair of chain pet store owners who operate a location in the Hudson Valley are facing a lawsuit from the New York Attorney General’s Office for alleged improper care of puppies and “widespread fraud and deception.” A lawsuit has been filed by acting Attorney General Barbara Underwood against Bell Pet Company, LLC, and its owners, Theodore and Sheila Bell - who own The Pet Zone store in Poughkeepsie - which alleges that they have sold puppies without having the animals examined by a veterinarian, failed to notify consumers of the lack of pre-sale medical treatment and violated the Pat Lemon…
LAWSUIT: Ulta Beauty Repackages Returned Cosmetics LAWSUIT: Ulta Beauty Repackages Returned Cosmetics
Lawsuit: Ulta Beauty Repackages Returned Cosmetics Ulta Beauty with locations across Bergen and Passaic counties is facing a lawsuit saying the corporation repackages returned cosmetics and sells them to unsuspecting customers. Ulta has 1,058 stores in 48 states and Washington, D.C., including ones in Maywood, Garfield, Clifton and Edgewater. Attorney Tom Zimmerman said some products seemed to have been previously used, like eyeshadows missing a brush and cleansers that were already opened. The complaint filed in Illinois cites claims by former Ulta employees that the retailer has a limit on how many returned items can be tossed.