Albany, NY
Breaking News
Restaurant Reservation ‘Black Market’ Target Of NY Law Signed By Gov. Hochul Restaurant Reservation ‘Black Market’ Target Of NY Law Signed By Gov. Hochul Restaurant Reservation ‘Black Market’ Target Of NY Law Signed By Gov. Hochul
Restaurant Reservation ‘Black Market’ Target Of NY Law Signed By Gov. Hochul New Yorkers can now enjoy fairer access to coveted restaurant reservations. A new law signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday, Dec. 19, prohibits third-party reservation platforms from arranging reservations without a restaurant's consent. The platforms often charge consumers additional fees, creating a costly “black market” for popular dining spots and making it harder for diners to secure tables without paying a premium. “We’re putting an end to the predatory black market for restaurant reservations — protecting consumers and businesses, and giving everyone a chance to get a seat at the …

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by Michael Mashburn
Albany, NY
On Your Side
NY Baby Formula Suppliers Accused Of Price Gouging Agree To $675K Settlement NY Baby Formula Suppliers Accused Of Price Gouging Agree To $675K Settlement NY Baby Formula Suppliers Accused Of Price Gouging Agree To $675K Settlement
NY Baby Formula Suppliers Accused Of Price Gouging Agree To $675K Settlement Thousands of cans of baby formula are being distributed to families in need across New York after a settlement was reached with two companies accused of illegal price gouging. New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on Monday, Dec. 18, that her office had secured $675,000 worth of baby formula from Marine Park Distribution Inc. and its affiliate, Formula Depot Inc., following an investigation into price gouging during the nationwide formula shortage in 2022. The companies allegedly raised formula prices by more than 60 percent in some cases, with costs doubling for certain product…

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by Michael Mashburn
Albany, NY
Breaking News
Five New Laws Save New Yorkers Money, Offer Transparency Five New Laws Save New Yorkers Money, Offer Transparency Five New Laws Save New Yorkers Money, Offer Transparency
Five New Laws Save New Yorkers Money, Offer Transparency Five new laws signed by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul will make it easier for residents to do everything from canceling health memberships to learning about restaurant sanitary inspections while saving them money. “At a time when New Yorkers are experiencing the devastating effects of rising prices, it’s important that I do everything I can to put more money back in their pockets,” Hochul said.  Here are the five new laws: Canceling health club memberships: Health clubs must accept the cancellation of membership within 10 days of receiving the request. The previous law gave them 15 days.…

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by Kathy Reakes
Rockville, MD
Breaking News
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
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…

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by Zak Failla
Albany, NY
On Your Side
NYers To Receive Cut Of $4.8M Settlement With SmileDirectClub Over Improper Billing NYers To Receive Cut Of $4.8M Settlement With SmileDirectClub Over Improper Billing NYers To Receive Cut Of $4.8M Settlement With SmileDirectClub Over Improper Billing
NYers To Receive Cut Of $4.8M Settlement With SmileDirectClub Over Improper Billing Thousands of New Yorkers will benefit from a $4.8 million settlement with the now-defunct SmileDirectClub over improper billing practices. The former Nashville, Tennessee-based teledentistry company agreed to the move after it continued to charge more than 28,000 consumers despite filing for bankruptcy and stopping services in September 2023. Multiple complaints were filed with the New York State Office of the Attorney General (OAG) after consumers were told to keep making monthly installment payments despite no longer receiving aligner treatment. In December 2023, OAG sent a cease-and-de…

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by Michael Mashburn
Hartford, CT
On Your Side
CT Frontier Customers Will Get $860K In Bill Credits Over Service Failures CT Frontier Customers Will Get $860K In Bill Credits Over Service Failures CT Frontier Customers Will Get $860K In Bill Credits Over Service Failures
CT Frontier Customers Will Get $860K In Bill Credits Over Service Failures Connecticut consumer protection authorities have reached an agreement with Frontier Communications to reimburse customers $860,000 for repeated failures to meet state customer service standards, officials said. The settlement between the Connecticut Office of Consumer Counsel and the Texas-based telecommunications firm follows the company’s failure to address out-of-service repairs promptly and to meet scheduled maintenance appointments from January 2015 to December 2023, according to a release. The money will be issued to customers as bill credits. However, it remains unclear how much each…

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by Josh Lanier
Harrisburg, PA
Breaking News
$49M Settlement Over Drug Price Manipulation Could Benefit Consumers: PA AG $49M Settlement Over Drug Price Manipulation Could Benefit Consumers: PA AG $49M Settlement Over Drug Price Manipulation Could Benefit Consumers: PA AG
$49M Settlement Over Drug Price Manipulation Could Benefit Consumers: PA AG If you purchased certain generic prescription drugs between 2010 and 2016, you might be eligible for a refund as part of a $49.1 million multistate settlement, Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry announced on Monday, Nov. 4. Pennsylvania joined 50 states and territories in a settlement with Heritage Pharmaceuticals and Apotex over alleged price manipulation and market control, impacting consumers by inflating prices and limiting competition. The companies will pay a combined $49.1 million and cooperate in ongoing multistate litigation, led by Connecticut, targeting 30 companies and …

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by Jillian Pikora
Conshohocken-Plymouth Meeting, PA
Your Community
Philly DA Sues Elon Musk, America PAC Over $1M Sweepstakes: Court Documents Philly DA Sues Elon Musk, America PAC Over $1M Sweepstakes: Court Documents Philly DA Sues Elon Musk, America PAC Over $1M Sweepstakes: Court Documents
Philly DA Sues Elon Musk, America PAC Over $1M Sweepstakes: Court Documents The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office is suing Elon Musk and his America PAC over the $1 million sweepstakes both parties have been running at town halls in Pennsylvania. Musk and America PAC "are running an illegal lottery in Philadelphia (as well as throughout Pennsylvania)," the lawsuit states. The court document was posted online by CNN on Monday, Oct. 28. “The Philadelphia District Attorney is charged with protecting the public from public nuisances and unfair trade practices, including illegal lotteries," the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office said in a Monday, Oct. 28 news…

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by Merriell Moyer
New Carrollton, MD
On Your Side
Fire Pits Sold At Retailers Nationwide Recalled After Multiple Burn Injuries Reported Fire Pits Sold At Retailers Nationwide Recalled After Multiple Burn Injuries Reported Fire Pits Sold At Retailers Nationwide Recalled After Multiple Burn Injuries Reported
Fire Pits Sold At Retailers Nationwide Recalled After Multiple Burn Injuries Reported Nearly 90,000 popular fire pits sold at major retailers nationwide are subject to a federal recall due to concerns about flames escaping from their containers and causing critical injuries. Homeowners have been advised to stop using several Colsen-branded fire pits after receiving multiple reports of serious burn injuries suffered by users, according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). "Alcohol flames can be invisible and lead to flame jetting when refilling the fire pit reservoir," a CPSC notice states.  "Flame jetting is a serious event that can occur while pouring …

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by Zak Failla
Hackensack, NJ
Breaking News
Unlicensed Bergen County Mover Among 23 Fined In Undercover Operation: AG Unlicensed Bergen County Mover Among 23 Fined In Undercover Operation: AG Unlicensed Bergen County Mover Among 23 Fined In Undercover Operation: AG
Unlicensed Bergen County Mover Among 23 Fined In Undercover Operation: AG 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…

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by Cecilia Levine
Riverhead, NY
On Your Side
AG On Lookout For Price Gougers Cashing In On Recent Long Island Flooding AG On Lookout For Price Gougers Cashing In On Recent Long Island Flooding AG On Lookout For Price Gougers Cashing In On Recent Long Island Flooding
AG On Lookout For Price Gougers Cashing In On Recent Long Island Flooding State leaders are on the lookout for businesses hoping to cash in on the recent flooding that hit Long Island. New York Attorney General Letitia James issued an alert warning businesses against price gouging on essential items in Suffolk County.  It comes after a federal emergency was declared in response to widespread flooding that damaged several homes and washed out roads. “As families in Suffolk County recover from the devastating aftermath of last week’s storm, I am warning businesses not to use this as an opportunity to unfairly raise prices,” James said. Earlier Report:&nbs…

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by Michael Mashburn
White Plains, NY
On Your Side
Scammers Are Creating Fake Customer Service Numbers In Google Searches: What To Know Scammers Are Creating Fake Customer Service Numbers In Google Searches: What To Know Scammers Are Creating Fake Customer Service Numbers In Google Searches: What To Know
Scammers Are Creating Fake Customer Service Numbers In Google Searches: What To Know New reports reveal that scammers are trying to trick Google into showing their fake numbers pretending to offer reputable services, and many are getting away with it. Google sometimes highlights impostors during searches for airlines, banks, as well as local businesses, according to a brand-new report in The Washington Post. A victim who called what Google listed as Coinbase customer support was scammed out of $100,000 in 20 minutes by an impostor, Fortune reports. Google told The Washington Post that it uses several methods to determine whether business listings are legitimate, inclu…

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by Joe Lombardi