Tag:

Consumer protection

Scammers Using Trump Tariff Confusion To Trick Online Shoppers, BBB Warns Scammers Using Trump Tariff Confusion To Trick Online Shoppers, BBB Warns
Scammers Using Trump Tariff Confusion To Trick Online Shoppers, BBB Warns Scammers are using the confusion surrounding President Donald Trump's changing tariffs to cover up missing packages and ignore refund requests. The Better Business Bureau says it's seeing more reports of shady sellers blaming "tariffs" and "customs delays" when products don't arrive. In many cases, the sellers vanish after taking your money. The BBB has warned that shoppers aren't typically responsible for tariffs after buying online and it's a red flag if a seller says your item is stuck in customs due to tariffs. "After 2 months of not receiving my product I have…
Mold Risks Prompt Massive Recall Of 1.7M+ Air Conditioners Under Many Brand Names Mold Risks Prompt Massive Recall Of 1.7M+ Air Conditioners Under Many Brand Names
Mold Risks Prompt Massive Recall Of 1.7M+ Air Conditioners Under Many Brand Names Nearly 1.75 million window air conditioners imported by a New Jersey company have been recalled after reports of mold exposure and respiratory problems. Midea America Corp. issued the recall for about 1.7 million air conditioners sold in the US and around 45,900 in Canada, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced on Thursday, June 5. Midea is headquartered in Parsippany, about 30 miles west of New York City. According to the CPSC, Midea discovered water could pool inside its U and U+ models, creating a risk for mold growth. Mold exposure can trigger respiratory infections,…
NY AG Sues Capital One Over $2B+ Savings Scheme After Trump's CFPB Dropped Case NY AG Sues Capital One Over $2B+ Savings Scheme After Trump's CFPB Dropped Case
NY AG Sues Capital One Over $2B+ Savings Scheme After Trump's Cfpb Dropped Case New York's attorney general is reviving a major consumer protection case that federal regulators dropped shortly after President Donald Trump returned to office. Attorney General Letitia James announced the lawsuit against Capital One on Wednesday, May 14. The suit accuses the banking giant of misleading savings account customers and withholding millions in interest. According to the lawsuit, Capital One used "bait-and-switch" tactics by advertising its 360 Savings account as a high-interest option. The company then secretly offered far better rates to new customers through a…
Eye Drops May Be Contaminated, Sparking Recall Of 1.8M+ Bottles Eye Drops May Be Contaminated, Sparking Recall Of 1.8M+ Bottles
Eye Drops May Be Contaminated, Sparking Recall Of 1.8M+ Bottles More than 1.8 million eye drop bottles distributed nationwide are being recalled because the products may not be sterile. AvKARE issued the voluntary recall for 1,819,080 cartons of eye drops in 75,795 cases. The Tennessee company said an audit by the Food and Drug Administration found manufacturing violations at BRS Analytical Services, the firm responsible for producing the eye care products. The drops were sold under AvKARE's label and shipped between Friday, May 26, 2023, and Monday, April 21, 2025. The FDA classified this as a "Class II" recall, which mean…
Ban On 'Junk Fees' For Tickets, Vacation Rentals Officially Begins: Here's What To Know Ban On 'Junk Fees' For Tickets, Vacation Rentals Officially Begins: Here's What To Know
Ban On 'Junk Fees' For Tickets, Vacation Rentals Officially Begins: Here's What To Know Hotels, vacation rentals, and ticket sellers must now show their full costs up front under a new federal rule  aiming to end "junk fees." The Federal Trade Commission's rule banning "junk fees" officially went into effect on Monday, May 12. The FTC passed the rule in December 2024 to prevent businesses from inflating prices by hiding mandatory costs through vague or hidden charges like "resort," "convenience," or "service" fees. Companies selling concert tickets, hotel stays, and short-term vacation rentals now must display all required fees in advertised prices online, in p…
$18.5M In Checks Going To Deceptive Sweepstakes Victims, FTC Says: See If You Qualify $18.5M In Checks Going To Deceptive Sweepstakes Victims, FTC Says: See If You Qualify
$18.5M In Checks Going To Deceptive Sweepstakes Victims, FTC Says: See If You Qualify More than 280,000 people will receive checks after they were targeted by misleading sweepstakes emails, federal regulators said. According to the Federal Trade Commission, more than $18.5 million in refunds will be sent to 281,724 consumers, the agency said in a news release on Wednesday, April 30. The FTC found that Publishers Clearing House misled shoppers through deceptive online marketing and emails. An FTC investigation found that PCH tricked predominantly older and lower-income people into buying products. The shoppers were given the false impression that making the pur…
Recall Issued For Popular Apple Juice Brand Sold In 28 States Recall Issued For Popular Apple Juice Brand Sold In 28 States
Recall Issued For Popular Apple Juice Brand Sold In 28 States A voluntary recall has been issued for certain batches of a widely sold apple juice brand, according to an alert from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The juice was distributed across 28 states and comes in clear, round glass bottles with white metal screw-top lids packaged in four 10-ounce bottles per pack (six packs per case).  The recall was initiated due to concerns that were not detailed in the FDA’s official notice, but the agency classified the situation as a Class II recall, meaning use of the product could cause temporary or medically reversible health consequences. …
Big Lots Reopening 130+ More Stores In Discount Chain's Revival: See The Full List Big Lots Reopening 130+ More Stores In Discount Chain's Revival: See The Full List
Big Lots Reopening 130+ More Stores In Discount Chain's Revival: See The Full List Big Lots is ramping up its comeback plans under new ownership by opening more than 130 stores, including nearly two dozen in Pennsylvania and Virginia. The discount chain plans to reopen 132 stores across 14 states in May, Variety Wholesalers announced in a news release on Monday, April 28. Pennsylvania (13 stores) and Virginia (10 stores) are among the top states for returning locations. Big Lots will reopen 54 stores on Thursday, May 1, and 78 locations on Thursday, May 15. "The customer response to the newly expanded assortment of fresh inventory and great deals has been overw…
Airbnb Just Made Booking Less Annoying: Here's What Changed Airbnb Just Made Booking Less Annoying: Here's What Changed
Airbnb Just Made Booking Less Annoying: Here's What Changed Airbnb guests around the world will now see the full price – including all fees before taxes – right in search results. The vacation rental company announced the change on Monday, April 21. Airbnb's optional toggle feature to see full pricing is now standard for all users worldwide. The company said nearly 17 million guests had used the toggle since it launched in 2022. "With the global rollout of total price display, we're making it easier for guests to better understand the price they'll pay, and for hosts to succeed in a more transparent marketplace," Airbnb said. Airbnb first tes…
Don't Fall For This EZ-Pass Text Scam Don't Fall For This EZ-Pass Text Scam
Don't Fall For This Ez-pass Text Scam Fraudulent text messages pretending to be from E-ZPass are alarming users with false claims of unpaid tolls and directing them to a deceptive payment website.  Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and avoid clicking any links contained in these messages. These fake texts are often sent from an international number and request the consumer to reply with "Y" to receive a link to a counterfeit payment portal in an attempt to steal personal information and funds from unsuspecting individuals. This smishing tactic is designed to steal personal information and funds fro…
Scammers Stole $14M+ Promising Passive Income From AI-Powered Amazon Shops: FTC Scammers Stole $14M+ Promising Passive Income From AI-Powered Amazon Shops: FTC
Scammers Stole $14M+ Promising Passive Income From Ai-powered Amazon Shops: FTC A federal court has temporarily shut down an online business that regulators accused of deceiving consumers out of more than $14 million with false promises of big earnings through artificial intelligence-powered online stores, officials said. The Federal Trade Commission said Click Profit, operating under names like FBALaunch and Automation Industries, misled consumers into believing they could earn large sums in passive income by selling products on platforms like Amazon, Walmart, and TikTok. The FTC announced the legal action against Click Profit in a news release on Tuesday, Mar. 18…
Child's Brain Injury Sparks Recall Of 10K+ Toddler Stools Sold On Amazon Child's Brain Injury Sparks Recall Of 10K+ Toddler Stools Sold On Amazon
Child's Brain Injury Sparks Recall Of 10K+ Toddler Stools Sold On Amazon More than 10,000 toddler stools sold on Amazon have been recalled after several children were injured in collapsing incidents — including one case where a child suffered a brain injury. The recall affects about 10,300 Onasti Toddler Tower Stools, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Thursday, Mar. 13. The stools can tip over or collapse during use, creating serious fall hazards. The plastic, foldable stools come in multiple colors, including beige, blue, gray, green, and pink. They're about 25 inches long, 24 inches wide, and 32 inches tall. The stools have an adju…
CFPB Drops Capital One Lawsuit As Trump, Musk Target Federal Watchdog CFPB Drops Capital One Lawsuit As Trump, Musk Target Federal Watchdog
Cfpb Drops Capital One Lawsuit As Trump, Musk Target Federal Watchdog The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has dropped a lawsuit against Capital One as concerns grow about the federal agency's future. The CFPB will no longer pursue legal action against Capital One, according to a court filing on Thursday, Feb. 27. The case, filed in January, claimed the banking giant misled customers and withheld more than $2 billion in interest payments. The company based in McLean, Virginia, supported the dismissal. "We welcome the CFPB's decision to dismiss this action, which we strongly disputed," a Capital One spokesperson said in a statement to the Daily Voice…
$39.5M In Fake Sports Gear Seized In Massive Crackdown Before Super Bowl LIX $39.5M In Fake Sports Gear Seized In Massive Crackdown Before Super Bowl LIX
$39.5M In Fake Sports Gear Seized In Massive Crackdown Before Super Bowl LIX Authorities confiscated $39.5 million worth of counterfeit sports merchandise ahead of Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. More than 214,500 items were seized in the year-long crackdown, Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in a news release on Wednesday, Feb. 5. "Operation Team Player" targeted fake jerseys, hats, jewelry, and other memorabilia being sold to fans. Led by the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center), the operation involved Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and major sports leagues.  The initia…
Southwest Airlines Sued, Frontier Fined For Chronic Flight Delays: Feds Southwest Airlines Sued, Frontier Fined For Chronic Flight Delays: Feds
Southwest Airlines Sued, Frontier Fined For Chronic Flight Delays: Feds The federal government is suing Southwest Airlines and fined Frontier Airlines, accusing the carriers of illegally operating multiple chronically delayed flights and causing significant problems for travelers. The U.S. Department of Transportation filed a lawsuit against Southwest on Wednesday, Jan. 15, the DOT said in a news release. The suit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California seeks maximum civil penalties against the airline. Federal regulators said they're cracking down on "unrealistic scheduling practices" by Southwest. "Airlines have a l…
H&R Block Fined $7M For Deceptive 'Free' Filing Ads, Must Reform Tax Services: FTC H&R Block Fined $7M For Deceptive 'Free' Filing Ads, Must Reform Tax Services: FTC
H&R Block Fined $7M For Deceptive 'Free' Filing Ads, Must Reform Tax Services: FTC H&R Block will pay $7 million in federal fines for deceptive practices and must implement sweeping changes to its filing services in time for the 2025 tax season, officials said. H&R Block reached the settlement with the Federal Trade Commission, the agency announced in a news release on Wednesday, Jan. 8. The order requires the company to revamp its services and pay $7 million to compensate its customers. The settlement stemmed from a February 2024 complaint accusing H&R Block of forcing users to contact customer service to downgrade products. The tax filer was also a…
Don't Fall For It: New Twist On Imposter Fraud Targets Your Money, Personal Info Don't Fall For It: New Twist On Imposter Fraud Targets Your Money, Personal Info
Don't Fall For It: New Twist On Imposter Fraud Targets Your Money, Personal Info The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is sounding the alarm on a sophisticated new imposter scheme designed to steal your money and personal information.  These scams are becoming increasingly convincing, but learning to spot the red flags can help you stay protected. How the Scam Works Initial Contact: Scammers pose as representatives from well-known companies, such as Amazon or a tech support service. They’ll claim there’s a routine issue, like suspicious charges on your account, a computer virus, or an account breach. Escalation: The scammers lie, saying your name is tied to serious …
Nationwide Recall Issued For Brand Of Eye Drops Over Contamination Risk Nationwide Recall Issued For Brand Of Eye Drops Over Contamination Risk
Nationwide Recall Issued For Brand Of Eye Drops Over Contamination Risk A nationwide recall has been issued for a specific lot of eye drops due to potential fungal contamination, which could cause serious eye infections. The recall involves lubricant eye drops under the Systane brand, manufactured by Alcon Laboratories, following a report of fungal material found in a sealed vial.  No illnesses have been reported, but fungal contamination can pose vision-threatening risks and, in rare cases, life-threatening complications for immunocompromised individuals. Details of the recall: Specific brand: Systane Lubricant Eye Drops Ultra PF, Single Vials On-…
Maryland Home Builders Ordered To Pay Nearly $1 Million For Defrauding Buyers: AG Maryland Home Builders Ordered To Pay Nearly $1 Million For Defrauding Buyers: AG
Maryland Home Builders Ordered To Pay Nearly $1 Million For Defrauding Buyers: AG A Maryland homebuilder and his companies have been ordered to pay over $950,000 after being found guilty of hundreds of consumer protection violations involving unfinished modular homes and misappropriated funds, officials announced. Prince George’s County Circuit Court Judge Krystal Q. Alves affirmed a Final Order against Finish Werks Corp., Finish Werks Custom Builders, Inc., and their owner, William Karl “Harris” Woodward, for violations impacting families in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, and Montgomery counties, according to Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown. The companies committed…