Recent consumer protection and scam-related news. Use this to stay aware of current threats and enforcement actions.
- Evading Residential Proxy Networks: Protecting Your Devices from Becoming a Tool for Criminals
- FTC Seeks Public Comment on a Proposed Rulemaking Regarding Unfair or Deceptive Rental Housing Fee Practices
The Federal Trade Commission today announced it is seeking public comment on a proposed rulemaking to address nationwide potential unfair or deceptive fee practices in connection with rental housing. As detailed in a Fed…
- FTC Sends Checks Totaling More Than $47.2 Million to Consumers Deceived by Invitation Homes’ Undisclosed Fees and Other Unlawful Charges
The Federal Trade Commission is sending checks totaling more than $47.2 million to eligible consumers deceived by undisclosed fees and other unlawful charges by Invitation Homes, one of the largest landlords of single-fa…
- FTC Seeks Public Comment in Response to Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Regarding Negative Option Marketing Practices
The Federal Trade Commission announced today that it is seeking public comment on an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) concerning the agency’s Rule Concerning the Use of Prenotification Negative Option Plans,…
- Criminals Impersonating City and County Officials in Phishing Emails for Planning and Zoning Permits
- Walmart Agrees to $100 Million Judgment to Settle FTC, States’ Charges Over Deceptive Earnings Claims Related to the Company’s Spark Driver Delivery Service
Walmart, Inc. has agreed to a $100 million judgment to settle allegations from the Federal Trade Commission and 11 states that the company caused delivery drivers to lose tens of millions of dollars’ worth of earnings, b…
- FTC Issues COPPA Policy Statement to Incentivize the Use of Age Verification Technologies to Protect Children Online
The Federal Trade Commission issued a policy statement today announcing that the Commission will not bring an enforcement action under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA Rule) against certain website an…
- FTC to Host February 26 Workshop on Measuring Injuries and Benefits in the Data-Driven Economy
WHAT: The Federal Trade Commission is hosting a workshop, “Measuring Injuries and Benefits in the Data-Driven Economy,” to explore efforts to measure consumers’ privacy preferences, as well as the impacts of data breache…
- Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice Seek Public Comment for Guidance on Business Collaborations
Agencies Launch Joint Public Inquiry for Consideration of Guidance on Collaborations Among Competitors to Promote Certainty and Competition Today, the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Di…
- FTC Finalizes Consent Order in Boeing, Spirit Acquisition
The Federal Trade Commission finalized a consent order involving the Boeing Company’s (Boeing) acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. (Spirit). View Press Release
- Estimating the Cost of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to Consumers
- FTC Finalizes Consent Order in Adamas No-Hire Agreement Matter
The Federal Trade Commission finalized a consent order that requires building services contractor Adamas Amenity Services LLC (Adamas) and its affiliated businesses to cease their enforcement of no-hire agreements. The F…
- Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson Issues Warning Letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook
Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson issued a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook, reminding him of Apple’s obligations to its customers. View Press Release
- FTC Sends Checks to Consumers Who Bought Certain Products from Golden Sunrise Nutraceutical Between 2017 and 2020
The Federal Trade Commission is sending checks to eligible consumers who bought certain products deceptively marketed by Golden Sunrise Nutraceutical, Inc. between July 2017 and July 2020. In June 2021, the FTC announced…
- FTC Reminds Data Brokers of Their Obligations to Comply with PADFAA
The Federal Trade Commission sent letters to 13 data brokers warning them of their responsibility to comply with the Protecting Americans’ Data from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2024 (PADFAA). PADFAA prohibits data brokers…
- FTC Issues Second Report to Congress on its Work to Fight Ransomware and other Cyberattacks
The Federal Trade Commission issued a second report to Congress detailing the agency’s efforts to fight against ransomware and other cyberattacks. The report is mandated by the Reporting Attacks from Nations Selected for…
- FTC is Sending Nearly $23 Million to Consumers Who Invested in the Deceptive Sanctuary Belize and Kanantik Real Estate Development Schemes
The Federal Trade Commission is returning nearly $23 million to consumers nationwide who bought deceptively marketed overseas real estate lots in what the sellers pitched as Sanctuary Belize, a supposed luxury developmen…
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Department of Justice Withdraw Joint Statement on Fair Lending and Credit Opportunities for Noncitizen Borrowers
CFPB and Justice have withdrawn a joint statement linked to a creditor’s consideration of an individual’s immigration status under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act.
- Senior U.S. Officials Continue to be Impersonated in Malicious Messaging Campaign
- Great Odds, High Risk: The FBI Encourages U.S. Bettors to Know the Risks of Illegal Gambling
- Agencies Announce Dollar Thresholds for Applicability of Truth in Lending and Consumer Leasing Rules for Consumer Credit and Lease Transactions
The CFPB and the FRB are announcing the dollar thresholds used to determine whether certain consumer credit and lease transactions in 2026 are subject to certain protections under Regulation Z (Truth in Lending) and Regu…
- Agencies Announce Dollar Thresholds for Smaller Loan Exemption from Appraisal Requirements for Higher-priced Mortgage Loans
The CFPB, FRB, and OCC are announcing that the 2026 threshold for higher-priced mortgage loans that are subject to special appraisal requirements will increase from $33,500 to $34,200.
- Criminals Using Altered Proof-of-Life Media to Extort Victims in Virtual Kidnapping for Ransom Scams
- CFPB’s Supervision Division Releases New 'Humility Pledge'
Washington, D.C.—Today, the CFPB made changes to how the Supervision Division conducts exams. Previously, under the leadership of Director Chopra and Biden’s Director of Supervision Lorelei Salas, a former Soros activist…
- CFPB Notifies Court it Cannot Lawfully Draw Funds from the Federal Reserve
Washington, D.C.—Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) filed a notice informing the court in NTEU v. Vought that the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) has determined that the Bureau m…
- CFPB Reaches Settlement with FirstCash, Inc. and Its Subsidiaries for Military Lending Act Violations
Today, in the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) November 12, 2021 lawsuit against FirstCash, Inc., and nineteen subsidiaries alleging violations of the Military Lending Act (MLA), the parties reached a settle…
- CFPB Amends Wise Order for Remittance Practices
The CFPB amended its January 30, 2025 consent order with the international remittance company Wise resolving claims including advertising inaccurate fees and failing to properly disclose exchange rates and other costs.
- CFPB Announcement Regarding Enforcement Actions Related to Buy Now, Pay Later Loans
The CFPB is announcing that it will not prioritize enforcement actions taken on the basis of the Truth in Lending (Regulation Z); Use of Digital User Accounts to Access Buy Now, Pay Later Loans, 89 Fed. Reg. 47,068 (May …
- CFPB Keeps Its Enforcement and Supervision Resources Focused on Pressing Threats to Consumers
The CFPB is announcing that it will not prioritize enforcement or supervision actions with regard to entities that are currently outside the stay imposed under Texas Bankers Association v. CFPB, No. 24-40705 (CA5).
- Why can’t that new love interest meet in person?
By BCP Staff Met someone new online…but you still haven’t met in person? With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it’s a great time to make sure you know how to recognize a romance scam. Romance scams can happen to a…
- Got a letter about unemployment benefits you didn’t file? That’s identity theft
By BCP Staff Unemployment benefits can be a life saver if you’re between jobs. But what happens if a scammer misuses your personal information, like your Social Security number (SSN) to file a fraudulent unemployment cla…
- Get ready for NCPW 2026
By BCP Staff It’s almost time for National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026. Are you ready? We hope you’ll join in celebrating the Week! Find events — like a webinar on emerging scams, a roundtable discussion on the …
- How to avoid a side hustle scam
By BCP Staff As the holiday season becomes an ever more distant memory, the holiday bills might not be. If you’re looking to pick up a side gig to make extra cash, pay down debt, or catch up on some bills, know that scam…
- FTC helps Walmart Spark Drivers (and other gig workers): here’s how
By BCP Staff If you’re thinking about taking on gig work — driving, fixing, delivering, or tasking — you’re probably thinking about pay. But what if a company promises they’ll pay you a certain amount and then ends up pa…
- Welcome to NCPW 2026
By BCP Staff It’s National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026. Welcome! Today kicks off the 28th year of the FTC joining with partner organizations to amplify the importance of consumer protection. This week, the FTC i…
- How to avoid government grant scams that offer free money for personal expenses
By BCP Staff Scammers make up all kinds of bogus stories to steal your personal information, or your money. Some go negative and make up a problem that doesn’t really exist. Others try a positive spin and say you won som…
- That random call saying “you’ve won a prize” is a scam
By BCP Staff If you get a call saying “you’ve won a prize,” you might be thinking, why not claim it? Unfortunately, it’s likely a scam to steal your money — especially if it’s for a contest you didn’t enter. So how can y…
- How to avoid scams while applying for ESTA
By BCP Staff It’s that time of year when people start planning their spring and summer travels. If you have someone visiting you from another country (and they qualify for a visa waiver), they’ll need to complete an Elec…
- NGL Pro users charged without authorization can apply for a refund — deadline is April 6
By BCP Staff In July 2024, the company behind NGL, an anonymous messaging app, agreed to pay $4.5 million to settle charges that the company deceived its customers. The FTC urges affected NGL customers to apply for a ref…
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