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Consumer protection

Unlicensed Lodi Mover Fined $5K In Undercover Operation, AG Says Unlicensed Lodi Mover Fined $5K In Undercover Operation, AG Says
Unlicensed Lodi Mover Fined $5K In Undercover Operation, AG Says Twenty-three unlicensed movers have been issued notices of violation and assessed civil penalties totaling $125,000, New Jersey officials said. The penalties were the results of "Operation Safe Move," a state-led undercover operation targeting movers doing business without being licensed by the Division, as required by law, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said (scroll for a list of companies and what they're being fined). The civil enforcement investigation was conducted over a three-day period in June, in which investigators with the Division’s Office of Consumer Protectio…
Once-Thriving Celeb Messaging Site 'Cameo' Violated Federal Guidelines: New Jersey AG Once-Thriving Celeb Messaging Site 'Cameo' Violated Federal Guidelines: New Jersey AG
Once-Thriving Celeb Messaging Site 'Cameo' Violated Federal Guidelines: New Jersey AG Cameo, message site that allows you or someone you care about to receive a video message from a range of celebrities, admitted to violating Federal Trade Commission endorsement guidelines, Matthew Platkin, the New Jersey Attorney General said. The website, features a diverse group of celebrities like former NFL head coach Jon Gruden, British politician Nigel Farange and legendary professional wrestler Mick Foley, reached a settlement with the state after it alleged Cameo failed to provide appropriate disclosures to consumers purchasing these personalized videos for business or product endors…
Illegal Botox, Lip Injections: Clifton Spa Owner Fined $10K, Banned From Biz, AG Says Illegal Botox, Lip Injections: Clifton Spa Owner Fined $10K, Banned From Biz, AG Says
Illegal Botox, Lip Injections: Clifton Spa Owner Fined $10K, Banned From Biz, AG Says The owner of a Passaic County skincare spa has agreed to pay a $10,000 fine and accepted a 10-year ban in operating a similar business in New Jersey following allegations he provided invasive aesthetic treatments that she was not licensed to perform, officials said. Prompted by a tip from the public, an investigation found that Rasha Abdul N. Basuf, the former owner of the now-defunct Skyn Spa on Lakeview Avenue Clifton, unlawfully provided cosmetic services without the requisite professional licenses, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Consumer Affairs sa…
Walmart Agrees To Whopping $1.64M Settlement Amid Unfair Pricing Accusations At NJ Stores Walmart Agrees To Whopping $1.64M Settlement Amid Unfair Pricing Accusations At NJ Stores
Walmart Agrees To Whopping $1.64M Settlement Amid Unfair Pricing Accusations At NJ Stores Walmart has agreed to pay $1.64 million to settle accusations of unlawful pricing at its 64 stores across New Jersey, state officials said. The settlement, which includes a $1.61 million civil penalty, is the largest ever obtained by the Division’s Office of Weights and Measures (“OWM”). Walmart was accused of violating New Jersey’s Consumer Fraud Act (“CFA”) and Unit Pricing Disclosure Act (“UPDA”) by using inaccurate unit pricing for a variety of grocery products sold in the chain’s New Jersey locations, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said. The UPDA requires grocery retailers t…
SCAM ALERT: Glen Rock Homeowner Loses $27,400 As Home Repair Con Men Prep For Spring SCAM ALERT: Glen Rock Homeowner Loses $27,400 As Home Repair Con Men Prep For Spring
Scam ALERT: Glen Rock Homeowner Loses $27,400 As Home Repair Con Men Prep For Spring A roof repair scam cost a Glen Rock resident $27,400, prompting the borough police chief to warn citizens against con men who come to the door. Two visiting scammers who claimed to be from Nassau County, on Long Island, offered to repair a partially damaged section of one victim’s roof for $3,400, Glen Rock Police Chief Dean Ackermann said. No sooner had they begun their work than they suddenly “discovered” that the damage was “more extensive than originally thought,” the chief said. They asked for an additional $24,000 and the resident subsequently wired them the money, he said. The…
Dating App Bumble Pays Up After Violating NJ Internet Safety Laws: State AG Dating App Bumble Pays Up After Violating NJ Internet Safety Laws: State AG
Dating App Bumble Pays Up After Violating NJ Internet Safety Laws: State AG You might want to be careful the next time you swipe right. Bumble, the popular dating app, has agreed to pay $315,000 and change its business practices after the state charged it violated consumer protection and internet dating safety laws by misrepresenting its criminal background screening policies, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said.  As part of the settlement, Bumble has agreed to disclose the company's criminal background screening policies on its dating website and app, to disclose whether those services allow people with criminal backgrounds to use the site and pr…
NJ Makes It Easier To Get Off Treadmill Of Unwanted Gym Memberships NJ Makes It Easier To Get Off Treadmill Of Unwanted Gym Memberships
NJ Makes It Easier To Get Off Treadmill Of Unwanted Gym Memberships If you're ditching the gym because you've already given up on a New Year's resolution or you no longer need it to reach your goals, a new law in New Jersey will make it easier to cancel your membership. Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill on Monday, Jan. 8, that aims to increase transparency for canceling gym memberships online. The law will require gym subscription services that can be entered into online to offer an online cancellation option. A gym's website must make an option to cancel a membership easily accessible, within a person's account profile, or through a termination emai…
Google Settles $700M Multi-State Lawsuit For Limiting Android App Sales Competition Google Settles $700M Multi-State Lawsuit For Limiting Android App Sales Competition
Google Settles $700M Multi-State Lawsuit For Limiting Android App Sales Competition Google has agreed to pay $630 million fo consumers for encouraging anti-competitive practices in the Google Play Store sale of its Android apps, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced. New Jersey and a coalition of 52 attorneys general sued Google in 2021, alleging that Google unlawfully monopolized the Android app distribution and in-app payment processing markets.  The states’ complaint highlighted several allegedly anticompetitive practices, including Google’s use of restrictive contracts to stifle the growth of competing app stores on Android devices, paying …
NJ Reps Aim To Keep AM Radio In Vehicles NJ Reps Aim To Keep AM Radio In Vehicles
NJ Reps Aim To Keep AM Radio In Vehicles Many automakers are removing AM radios from their new electrical vehicles. Some New Jersey congressmen want to change that. Rep. Josh Gottenheimer (D-NJ), who represents most of Bergen County and parts of Passaic and Suffex County is the lead sponsor on a bill in the House of Represenatives that would require automakers to maintain AM radios in their new vehicles at no extra charge to the consumer. The bill, the AM for Every Vehicle Act, has support in the Senate from Sen. Edward Markey (D-MA) and Sen. Ted Cruz. (D-TX) Gottenheimer's bill comes in the wake of reports that BMW, Volkswagen, M…
Wheel Operators At American Dream, Three Other NJ Businesses Accused Of Exploiting Customers Wheel Operators At American Dream, Three Other NJ Businesses Accused Of Exploiting Customers
Wheel Operators At American Dream, Three Other NJ Businesses Accused Of Exploiting Customers The operators of the Dreamwheel at the American Dream Mall have been cited for forcing customers who want to pay cash to buy gift cards with surcharges, state authorities said. Skyviews of America, LLC, which operates the ferris wheel at the East Rutherford mall, was among four businesses that New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said received violation notices for either not accepting cash or charging a credit card surcharge without properly notifying consumers. Similar notices – in this case for not disclosing card surcharges – also went to Ronnie’s Hot Bagels in Hillsdale and S…
Recall Issued For Popular Ice Cream Product Sold In NJ Due To Undeclared Allergens Recall Issued For Popular Ice Cream Product Sold In NJ Due To Undeclared Allergens
Recall Issued For Popular Ice Cream Product Sold In NJ Due To Undeclared Allergens A popular ice cream product sold throughout the region is being recalled due to reported undeclared allergens, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced. Weis Markets has issued a voluntary recall of 48-ounce containers of its “Weis Quality Sea Salt Caramel Ripple Ice Cream,” which could potentially contain undeclared soy and coconut allergens. Officials say that anyone who has an allergy or severe sensitivity to soy or coconut allergens could run the risk of serious or life-threatening reactions if they are consumed. According to the FDA, the products may have been distributed in…
Three NJ Auto Dealers Pony Up $400,000 To Resolve Ripoff Claims, Promise Not To Do It Again Three NJ Auto Dealers Pony Up $400,000 To Resolve Ripoff Claims, Promise Not To Do It Again
Three NJ Auto Dealers Pony Up $400,000 To Resolve Ripoff Claims, Promise Not To Do It Again Three New Jersey auto dealers accused of ripping off customers agreed to pay nearly $400,000 combined to end a state investigation while promising not to do it again, authorities announced. Buyers of both new and used vehicles have already been frustrated by supply chain issues, Acting Attorney Matthew J. Platkin said in a joint release with the state Division of Consumer Affairs on Friday, May 20. Now this. “Dodging illegal practices should be the last thing New Jerseyans have to worry about as they search for a vehicle in this challenging market,” the attorney general said. Platkin iden…
NJ Co-Leads Nationwide Consumer Protection Probe Into Whether Instagram Is Putting Kids At Risk NJ Co-Leads Nationwide Consumer Protection Probe Into Whether Instagram Is Putting Kids At Risk
NJ Co-Leads Nationwide Consumer Protection Probe Into Whether Instagram Is Putting Kids At Risk New Jersey is co-leading a nationwide investigation into whether Instagram is violating state consumer protection laws and putting children, teenagers and young adults at risk, Acting State Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck announced Thursday. "Emerging research" suggests a connection between increased time spent online by young people and "depression, anxiety, isolation, body image issues, cyber-bullying, eating disorders, and sleeplessness," among other symptoms, said Bruck (photo above). Research by Meta Platforms Inc. -- the parent company of both Instagram and Facebook -- shows fou…
Philly Influencer Used Social Media Following To Rip Off Black Community, AG's Lawsuit Says Philly Influencer Used Social Media Following To Rip Off Black Community, AG's Lawsuit Says
Philly Influencer Used Social Media Following To Rip Off Black Community, AG's Lawsuit Says A Philadelphia business owner is facing a lawsuit filed by Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro accusing her of using her social media presence to steal thousands of dollars from consumers. The suit alleges that Dana Chanel, whose real name is Casey Olivera, and co-owners of the four businesses named "misled consumers and failed to deliver goods and services as promised." “Dana Chanel built a following online by presenting herself as a black woman-owned small business success story,” Shaprio said. “She advertised the products of her companies as a way for other black small business ow…
Five NJ Gas Stations Pay $138,000 For Overcharging Customers Five NJ Gas Stations Pay $138,000 For Overcharging Customers
Five NJ Gas Stations Pay $138,000 For Overcharging Customers Five North Jersey gas stations were caught overcharging customers -- including claiming that regular gas was premium -- and now must pay up, state authorities said. In a settlement aimed at protecting consumers, Sukhdev Singh and his stations in Newark and Belleville will pay the state more than $138,000 collectively, and promised not to do it again, under an agreement that kept formal charges from being filed, Acting New Jersey Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck said. Bruck identified the stations on Monday as: KP Fuel, 864 Mt. Prospect Ave, Newark; BK Fuel, 108 Bloomfield Ave, Newark; Mil…
Mahwah-Based Florist Settles With State Over Wilted Flowers, Substitute Arrangement Complaints Mahwah-Based Florist Settles With State Over Wilted Flowers, Substitute Arrangement Complaints
Mahwah-Based Florist Settles With State Over Wilted Flowers, Substitute Arrangement Complaints A nationwide floral distributor based in Mahwah stiffed customers by delivering wilted arrangements and those different from what was ordered and refusing to compensate those who complained, state authorities charged. Avas Flowers avoided criminal charges by agreeing to improve its business practices and paying the state $60,000, following an investigation of alleged violations of the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act, state Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said. The multi-million-dollar company and its founder and CEO, Matthew Neuenhaus, also agreed to go to binding arbitration before state D…
COVID-19, Black Friday A 'Super Bowl' Combo For Newest Scams, Here's How To Not Get Beat COVID-19, Black Friday A 'Super Bowl' Combo For Newest Scams, Here's How To Not Get Beat
Covid-19, Black Friday A 'Super Bowl' Combo For Newest Scams, Here's How To Not Get Beat WATCH OUT: The combination of COVID-19 and Black Friday creates the ultimate game for criminals who are skilled at robbing online customers blind, New Jersey's top law enforcer warned. The opportunities for cashing in at your expense this week is "like the Super Bowl for cyber criminals," New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said. "They are good at the game and have had time to practice and rehearse each play.”  Grewal and the Division of Consumer Affairs warned consumers to watch out for new online scams and a slew of cyber-attacks as the holiday shopping season kicks off on w…
Morris, Union County Used Car Dealer Pays $105,000 To Settle 'Lemon Law' Violations, State Says Morris, Union County Used Car Dealer Pays $105,000 To Settle 'Lemon Law' Violations, State Says
Morris, Union County Used Car Dealer Pays $105,000 To Settle 'Lemon Law' Violations, State Says A used car dealer with locations in Morris and Union counties is paying $105,000 to resolve alleged violations of state consumer protection laws, authorities said. State Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said Auto Holding Inc. was cited for: misrepresenting the condition of its used motor vehicles, telling at least one customer that vehicles were serviced and/or inspected prior to sale, when that was not the case; failing to disclose prior damage and rental history when such information was known or should have been known by the dealership; misrepresenting the prior history and use of its …
LAWSUIT: Student Loan Giant Crippled NJ Borrowers, State Authorities Charge LAWSUIT: Student Loan Giant Crippled NJ Borrowers, State Authorities Charge
Lawsuit: Student Loan Giant Crippled NJ Borrowers, State Authorities Charge One of the nation’s largest student loan servicers has screwed young borrowers in New Jersey, state authorities charged Tuesday in a blockbuster lawsuit against Navient. This includes deliberately fooling some of them into paying back more money than was due at the time by lying about the amounts, they said. “Higher education should be a pathway to success, not a road to financial ruin,” Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said in announcing the suit's filing. “Even before the financial fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, too many New Jerseyans were struggling to pay off their student loans,…
COVID Price Gouging Prompts 3,000 NJ Complaints, 500 AG Warnings, 90 Subpoenas COVID Price Gouging Prompts 3,000 NJ Complaints, 500 AG Warnings, 90 Subpoenas
COVID Price Gouging Prompts 3,000 NJ Complaints, 500 AG Warnings, 90 Subpoenas New Jersey authorities are continuing an ongoing crackdown on price gougers during the coronavirus pandemic. The state Division of Consumer Affairs has issued at least 514 cease-and-desist letters and 89 subpoenas to businesses reported to have violated laws during the pandemic, state Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said Wednesday. The state has so far received 2,978 complaints involving 1,800 businesses related to the COVID-19 emergency, Grewal said.  About 90 percent of the complaints involve inflated prices for surgical masks, hand sanitizer, disinfectant spray and wipes, food, b…
Authorities Pursue 600+ Price-Gouging Complaints In NJ: Got Any? Authorities Pursue 600+ Price-Gouging Complaints In NJ: Got Any?
Authorities Pursue 600+ Price-Gouging Complaints In NJ: Got Any? New Jersey authorities reported 619 coronavirus-related price gouging complaints from throughout the state as of Tuesday – all of which they said are being investigated. The state Division of Consumer Affairs already was sending 82 cease-and-desist and warning letters to businesses following complaints from customers, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said. The number of complaints more than doubled in just five days, when customers in New Jersey had filed 270, Grewal said. Retailers are accused of unfairly raising prices on surgical masks, hand sanitizers, disinfectant sprays and wipes, a…
What's The Deal? Residents Nationwide Ask Amazon Where 'Surprise' Package Came From What's The Deal? Residents Nationwide Ask Amazon Where 'Surprise' Package Came From
What's The Deal? Residents Nationwide Ask Amazon Where 'Surprise' Package Came From Hundreds of Allendale residents recently joined tens of thousands of fellow Americans nationwide in reporting an item delivered through Amazon that they didn't order – in this instance, an iPhone screen protector. “Tossed it in the trash,” wrote one of the recipients. “Sketchy.” “I got one to my house and to my office. Neither for phones I have,” another added. “Have been getting them too. Not once, but 3 times already,” another said. “So weird.” Should they be worried? Probably not, experts say. A flood of deliveries of an unordered item is usually part of a scam known as “brushing,” i…
Parlor Tricks: NJ Pulls Allendale, Saddle River Massage Therapists’ Licenses In Sex Cases Parlor Tricks: NJ Pulls Allendale, Saddle River Massage Therapists’ Licenses In Sex Cases
Parlor Tricks: NJ Pulls Allendale, Saddle River Massage Therapists’ Licenses In Sex Cases Massage therapists working in Allendale and Saddle River were among five who recently had their licenses yanked by state authorities amid charges of rubbing certain customers the wrong way. State authorities announced the charges to help lay the groundwork for proposed new rules that they said are aimed at “preventing and detecting sexual misconduct in the industry.” The rules would, among other things: Require massage therapists to notify the state Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy of criminal, civil, administrative, and employment actions against them; Require massage therapists to …
Mahwah Generic Drug Maker Among 20 Companies, 16 Individuals Accused In Price-Fixing Scheme Mahwah Generic Drug Maker Among 20 Companies, 16 Individuals Accused In Price-Fixing Scheme
Mahwah Generic Drug Maker Among 20 Companies, 16 Individuals Accused In Price-Fixing Scheme A Mahwah-based generic drug manufacturer was among 20 companies accused of participating in what authorities called “one of the most egregious and damaging price-fixing conspiracies in the history of the United States.”  A complaint filed by the 44 states in U.S. District Court in Connecticut also accuses 16 individuals of participating in the scheme. More than half of the drug companies and five of the individual defendants – all of whom are drug company executives responsible for sales, marketing, pricing and operations -- are from New Jersey. They include Glenmark Pharmaceuticals I…
U.S. Attorney: Elmwood Park Bait-And-Switch Movers Held Customers' Goods Hostage U.S. Attorney: Elmwood Park Bait-And-Switch Movers Held Customers' Goods Hostage
U.S. Attorney: Elmwood Park Bait-And-Switch Movers Held Customers' Goods Hostage The owners of an Elmwood Park moving company pulled bait-and-switches on helpless customers -- holding their valuables hostage -- before federal agents busted them, authorities said. For three years, Lola Larios 36, of Haledon, and Lior Atiyas, 42, of Long Island, took advantage of customers who “were in a vulnerable state and unable to refuse their demands,” U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito said. Larios and Atiyas – using the names “Michelle Jacobs” and “David Cohen” – gave customers low-ball quotes, then jacked up the prices two to three times after the valuables were loaded onto their Premi…
Wells Fargo To Pay States $575M To Resolve Customer Ripoff Claims: NJ, NY, CT Get $34M Wells Fargo To Pay States $575M To Resolve Customer Ripoff Claims: NJ, NY, CT Get $34M
Wells Fargo To Pay States $575M To Resolve Customer Ripoff Claims: NJ, NY, CT Get $34M Wells Fargo Bank has agreed to pay $575 million – including more than $34 million combined to New Jersey, New York and Connecticut – to settle charges that it engaged in a variety of sales, lending, and other improper business practices for more than a decade. The bank also has agreed to pay more than $385 million to 850,000 auto finance customers who were wrongly charged premiums, interest, and fees for forced-place collateral protection insurance, even though they already had the coverage. That includes payments to more than 51,000 customers whose cars were repossessed, according to the m…
BEWARE: Don't Fall For Facebook 'Secret Sister' Gift Exchange BEWARE: Don't Fall For Facebook 'Secret Sister' Gift Exchange
Beware: Don't Fall For Facebook 'Secret Sister' Gift Exchange A seasonal scam is back: By participating in a Facebook "secret sister" gift exchange, you won’t receive anything – you’ll just be a fool. It began three Christmases ago, according to Snopes.com, when social media users began getting messages urging them to send a gift worth $10 to someone on a “sister list.” In return, the post said, they would get them three dozen presents – that’s right: 36 -- the come-on read. All you have to do, the bogus request says, is send a gift to the first “sister” on the list, move the second one the list to first and put your own name in the No. 2 spot. …
'Operation Mother's Attic': State Snags Six Rogue Moving Companies From Bergen, Passaic 'Operation Mother's Attic': State Snags Six Rogue Moving Companies From Bergen, Passaic
'Operation Mother's Attic': State Snags Six Rogue Moving Companies From Bergen, Passaic Four unlicensed moving companies from Bergen County and two from Passaic County were snagged in a state-led undercover sting that cost them $2,500 each, authorities announced Monday. Over the course of four days in April, investigators from the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs posed as people planning to move from an upscale neighborhood in Montvale in what was dubbed “Operation Mother’s Attic,” state Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said. “The investigators found various unlicensed moving companies advertising online and hired them for their ‘move’,” Grewal said. “The movers drove…
Police Urge Caution After Growing Cellphone Delivery Scam Fools Glen Rock Resident Police Urge Caution After Growing Cellphone Delivery Scam Fools Glen Rock Resident
Police Urge Caution After Growing Cellphone Delivery Scam Fools Glen Rock Resident In what’s become a common scam, a thief had an illegally purchased iPhone shipped to the home of a Glen Rock woman who may end up being a victim. After receiving the package, the borough resident notified Fed-Ex and arranged to have it picked up, Police Chief Dean Ackermann said. She was waiting for the Fed-Ex driver to arrive, Ackermann said, when a woman came to her door, claiming that it was her phone but had ended up at the wrong address. “The woman then took the package and left the area in a dark SUV,” Ackermann said. It wasn’t until a Fed Ex driver showed up later that the woman re…
Be On Lookout For New Amazon Scam Be On Lookout For New Amazon Scam
Be On Lookout For New Amazon Scam There’s a new scam - this time involving Amazon - making the rounds in the area. A local resident received a call, allegedly from Amazon customer support, soliciting a response in regards to a purchase that was never made on the website. “Hi this is Alice from Amazon customer support,” the robocall stated. “This call is to notify you regarding your purchase on Amazon. You have been charged on your VISA card. If you have made this purchase on Amazon and recognized it, then simply hang up and your order will be delivered to you. If you have not made any such transactions, then call Amazon sup…
IRS Warns Of 'Aggressive,' 'Sophisticated' Phone Scams IRS Warns Of 'Aggressive,' 'Sophisticated' Phone Scams
IRS Warns Of 'Aggressive,' 'Sophisticated' Phone Scams With tax season here, the Internal Revenue Service is warning employers and employees to be on high alert for a “sophisticated phone scam” targeting taxpayers, including recent immigrants, that has been making the rounds in the tri-state area. During the last two tax seasons, taxpayers have been receiving aggressive calls from fraudsters claiming to be IRS employees, using fake names and phony ID badge numbers, officials said, warning that the scammers tend to know pertinent information about their targets and can alter caller ID to make it look like the IRS is calling. Officials said that …