Recent consumer protection and scam-related news. Use this to stay aware of current threats and enforcement actions.
- FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson Issues Warning Letters to CEOs of PayPal, Stripe, Visa and Mastercard About Debanking American Consumers
Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson sent letters today to four major financial infrastructure platforms and payment providers reminding them of their obligations to their customers under the FTC Act. The…
- FTC Testifies before the Joint Economic Committee on Agency’s Efforts to Combat Fraud
The Federal Trade Commission testified today before the Joint Economic Committee about the agency’s ongoing work to combat fraud and protect consumers from scammers and other bad actors. Testifying on behalf of the Commi…
- Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice Seek Public Comment on the Premerger Notification and Report Form
Comments will inform potential HSR rulemaking that seeks to reduce the burden for non-problematic transactions while also making necessary updates Today, the Federal Trade Commission (Commission) and the Department of Ju…
- Air AI and its Owners will be Banned from Marketing Business Opportunities to Settle FTC Charges the Company Misled Many Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses
Air AI will be banned from marketing business opportunities as part of a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission over charges the company misled many entrepreneurs and small businesses with deceptive claims about bu…
- Russian Intelligence Services Target Commercial Messaging Application Accounts
- FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson Launches Healthcare Task Force
Today, Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson directed FTC staff to form a Healthcare Task Force that will engage in a coordinated, integrated approach to healthcare enforcement and advocacy to protect Amer…
- FTC Secures Settlement Against Xponential Fitness for Franchise Rule Violations
The Federal Trade Commission has secured a settlement against Xponential Fitness for Franchise Rule violations and related deceptive practices, including $17 million that will be returned to franchisees, which is the lar…
- FTC Sends More Than $10.9 Million to Consumers Harmed by Credit Repair Pyramid Scheme
The Federal Trade Commission is sending more than $10.9 million to consumers harmed by a credit repair operation known by multiple names including Financial Education Services (FES), United Wealth Education, United Credi…
- FTC Stops Proposed Merger of Leading Cataract-Surgery Device Makers
Deal threatened to raise prices and reduce innovation for cataract laser eye surgery systems, impacting surgeons and millions of American patients In response to the announcement that Alcon, Inc. and Alcon Research, LLC …
- FTC Warns 97 Auto Dealership Groups About Deceptive Pricing
The Federal Trade Commission is sending letters to 97 auto groups nationwide, warning them that the prices they advertise must be the total price—including all mandatory fees—that consumers will be required to pay. The l…
- 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
- Estimating the Cost of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to Consumers
- 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.
- 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).
- 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 make your World Cup experience scam free
By BCP Staff Excitement is reaching a fever pitch as the United States, Mexico, and Canada get ready to welcome thousands of fans for one of the most-watched sporting events on the planet — the FIFA World Cup! While die-…
- 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…
- Protecting franchisees: The FTC’s case against Xponential Fitness
By BCP Staff If you’re thinking about opening a franchise, you’re probably looking for things like name recognition, training, and support to help you grow your business. What you’re probably not looking for is for a fra…
- Do you have thoughts on rental fee-related regulations? Share them with the FTC
By BCP Staff Many of us use or work with rental housing in some way. Maybe you have been — or are currently — a renter. Or maybe you own a rental property, operate a property management company, or otherwise work with or…
- How scammers are using the Iran conflict to try to steal your money and information
By BCP Staff With global attention focused on the conflict in Iran, it’s no surprise scammers have already added that situation to their story lines. Some recent reports to the FTC about imposter, romance, and fake chari…
- Looking for debt relief? Here’s how to avoid a scam
By BCP Staff If you’re dealing with a lot of debt, you might be looking for help. Some companies offer a range of free and paid services, like budget counseling and debt management classes. But others are dishonest and wil…
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