Consumer Protection
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Australian Chinese community lost $12 million to fake police scams in 2025
Scammers impersonating Chinese authorities used phone calls, video calls, and fabricated documents to extract funds from victims. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission recorded 1,294 reports and a median loss of $55,000 per case.
bbc.co.ukFake websites impersonate FIFA to sell nonexistent 2026 World Cup tickets
Authorities and researchers report a rise in online scams targeting fans seeking tickets for the 2026 World Cup. Fraudulent sites mimic FIFA's official platform and collect payments for tickets that do not exist.
rnz.co.nzArizona Man Pleads Guilty to Selling Unapproved SARMs
Jeffrey McIndoo of Phoenix and his company SARMS Pharm LLC pleaded guilty in federal court to selling selective androgen receptor modulators that mimic anabolic steroids. The conviction triggers mandatory sentencing and marks the latest federal action against vendors distributing…
lifehacker.comCarnival Corporation Discloses April Data Breach Affecting 5.99 Million Customers, Offers Two-Year Credit Monitoring
Carnival Corporation disclosed a data breach that occurred in April and affected 5,995,277 individuals. The company is providing two years of free credit monitoring through TransUnion and began notifying customers on May 27.
CnbcFlorida Attorney General Files Lawsuit Against OpenAI and CEO
Florida's attorney general sued OpenAI and its chief executive on Monday, alleging the company released an unsafe product. The complaint seeks to hold the CEO personally liable and to require compliance with state consumer protection law.
WiredNorse Atlantic Airways Replaced Chatbot With AI Agent Freya in January 2026
Dozens of customers filed complaints with the Federal Trade Commission alleging difficulty reaching human support and subsequent financial losses. The airline stated its AI system now handles 99 percent of passenger inquiries.
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theverge.comFTC Issues Reminder About Phishing Scams Using Fake Party Invitations
The Federal Trade Commission issued a May 26 warning about phishing emails and texts that mimic invitations from Evite and Paperless Post. Victims reported compromised accounts and unauthorized bank transfers after entering login credentials.
theverge.comFTC Alerts Public to Phishing Emails Masquerading as Party Invitations
The Federal Trade Commission issued an alert Tuesday about scam emails that mimic invitations from services such as Paperless Post and Evite. The agency said the messages ask recipients to enter login details or codes to view or reply to the supposed event.
Australian Motel Owners Seek Review of Booking.com Contracts
Motel operators in Australia report paying Booking.com commissions between 12 and 15 percent, with some reaching 30 percent under optional programs. A European class-action lawsuit alleges similar clauses caused overcharging for Dutch travelers since 2013. Australian consumer gro…
crowdfundinsider.comFTC issues alert on fake online party invitations
The Federal Trade Commission has issued an alert about fraudulent digital invitations tied to graduation and summer events. The notices warn that recipients may lose money if they respond to the fakes.
thegatewaypundit.comCalifornia Attorney General Sues 23andMe Over 2023 Data Breach
California’s attorney general filed suit against the genetic testing company, alleging inadequate security allowed a 2023 breach that exposed data of nearly 7 million users. The complaint seeks civil penalties and orders barring further violations of state privacy law.
Australian Consumer Watchdog Sues Amazon Over Backpack Safety Labels
The consumer watchdog filed a Federal Court case alleging Amazon sold children's unicorn backpacks that lacked required button-battery warning labels. The suit covers products held in Australian fulfillment centers between June and November 2022.
manilatimes.netMarket Report Details Rise in Counterfeit Cognitive Supplements Labeled as Memopezil
A May 28, 2026 market analysis reports increased sales of unauthorized cognitive supplements sold under the Memopezil name. The report outlines differences between the authentic product and counterfeit versions.
insidermonkey.comNew York and New Jersey investigate FIFA World Cup ticket sales
Attorneys general in New York and New Jersey announced Tuesday they are investigating FIFA's ticketing practices for matches at MetLife Stadium. The probe focuses on variable pricing and seat relocations that fans say produced higher costs and different locations than expected.
The GuardianAustralia Considers Automatic Reimbursement for Scams Under $3,000
Officials are reviewing rules that would require banks, telecommunications companies and digital platforms to automatically repay victims of smaller scams. A separate ombudsman report found complaints about financial hardship rose substantially in the past year.
rte.ieNew York and New Jersey Subpoena FIFA Over 2026 World Cup Ticket Pricing
Attorneys general from New York and New Jersey issued subpoenas to FIFA on Wednesday as part of an investigation into ticket pricing and seat allocation for the 2026 World Cup.
Los Angeles TimesBlackstone Parmesan Ranch Seasoning Recalled Over Salmonella Risk
Blackstone Products is recalling certain lots of its Parmesan Ranch seasoning sold at Walmart after the product was made with recalled dry milk powder. No illnesses have been reported. Consumers are advised to discard affected packages.
nypost.comCalifornia Governor Appoints Former CFPB Director to New State Agency
Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Rohit Chopra to lead California's new Business and Consumer Services Agency. The agency is scheduled to begin operations in July.
indiatoday.intoday.inTravel Companies Offer Vouchers Instead of Cash Refunds
Travel providers increasingly issue credits rather than cash refunds after service failures. Consumer advocates say many vouchers go unused, allowing companies to retain the funds.
automotiveworld.comLyft Removes Driver After Rider Disputes AI-Generated Damage Photo
A Florida rider reported being charged a $75 damage fee after a May 16 ride. Lyft later agreed the submitted image was AI-generated and removed the driver from its platform.
washingtonpost.comSocial Security Disability Benefits Face Limited Garnishment Risks
Federal law protects most SSDI and SSI payments from private creditors, but certain government debts can still lead to offsets. Recipients who mix funds in bank accounts or face lawsuits may encounter temporary complications.
The Sydney Morning HeraldPerth Agency Asks Tenants to Conduct Virtual Property Inspections
A Perth real estate agency requested tenants perform their own routine property inspections citing fuel supply constraints. Western Australia's consumer watchdog said the request may breach Australian Consumer Law.
marketwatch.comBank Levies Allow Creditors to Seize Funds but Face Federal and State Limits
A bank levy permits creditors to freeze and seize money from a debtor's account after obtaining a court judgment. Federal law and many state statutes protect certain deposits from seizure. Borrowers facing levies have several debt relief options available.
New York PostFormer Hawaii TV Anchor Loses $60,000 in Sweepstakes Scam
Linda Coble, 79, a former Hawaii television news anchor, reported losing nearly $60,000 after scammers posed as officials from U.S. Customs, the IRS, and the U.S. Marshals Office. The scammers used phone calls, letters, and a fake $5.5 million cashier’s check to convince her she…
Fox NewsReport Examines Medicare Scam Ads on Meta Platforms
A Center for Countering Digital Hate analysis reviewed more than 90,000 Meta ads and identified Medicare-related scam campaigns that generated 215 million impressions between March 2025 and March 2026. Meta stated it removed more than 159 million scam ads last year and disputes t…
citizen.co.zaAdvertising Authority Bans DNA Self-Swab Kit Ads
The Advertising Standards Authority ruled that Enough's online posts made unproven claims about DNA evidence from self-swab kits and rape statistics. The company has updated its wording after the decision.
bbc.co.ukUK Young Drivers Warned of Ghost Broking Insurance Scams
Nearly half of UK drivers aged 17 to 25 have bought car insurance through social media or messaging apps. Regulators warn that many of these policies are fake or falsified, leaving buyers uninsured and facing fines or vehicle seizure.
nypost.comCalifornia Woman Files Proposed Class Action Against Fashion Nova Over Early Marketing Texts
A California resident filed a proposed federal class action lawsuit against Fashion Nova in April, alleging the retailer sent promotional text messages before the 8 a.m. cutoff allowed under federal law. The suit seeks to represent consumers nationwide who received similar early…
video.foxbusiness.comStraus Family Creamery Recalls Six Ice Cream Products Over Possible Metal Fragments
Straus Family Creamery issued a voluntary recall of six organic ice cream products after discovering possible metal contamination. The products were distributed in 17 states and have specific best-by dates in December 2026.
thegatewaypundit.comFederal court rules Coles misled shoppers on discounts
A federal court found Coles promoted discounts that were not real. The Australian consumer watchdog brought the case in 2024. The ruling places other retailers on notice.
Fox NewsFCC Seeks Comment on Stronger Identity Checks for Phone Providers
The Federal Communications Commission has proposed new customer verification requirements for voice service providers to reduce illegal robocalls. The agency is collecting public feedback on rules that could require more personal information from new and renewing customers.
BBC NewsUK Bans Third-Party Booking of Driving Tests as Average Wait Hits 22 Weeks
Robert Kamugisha from Croydon spent £726 on three resold test slots after his instructor encouraged their use, paying a total of £1,176 including car hire before passing on his third attempt in December. The government introduced legislation this week making it illegal for anyone…
The TimesEU Weighs New Rules on Advance Disclosure of Ticket Prices and Allocations
Ireland’s European commissioner for justice is overseeing a proposed Digital Fairness Act that would require concert promoters to disclose ticket quantities at each price point. The measure targets dynamic pricing and misleading “starting from” offers after price surges during re…
flipboard.comSenate Judiciary Committee to Hold June Hearing With Tech CEOs on Child Online Safety
Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley announced a June 23 hearing that will call four technology company CEOs to testify on platform safety for children. The session follows recent court rulings that held social media companies liable for harms to young users. Grassley is seek…
ibtimes.co.ukFBI Phoenix and U.S. Attorney’s Office Urge 24-Hour Reporting on Email Scams
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona and the FBI Phoenix Division’s fraud team issued a public reminder on National Senior Fraud Awareness Day that sophisticated email scams now target businesses and individuals of all ages. Victims who contact law enforcement a…
BBC NewsBritish Gas Agrees £20m Redress Fund in Ofgem Prepayment Meter Case
British Gas will pay up to £112m in total under a settlement with Ofgem after the regulator found the company breached licence conditions by installing prepayment meters in vulnerable customers' homes without consent. The scandal, which first surfaced three years ago, involved fo…
BBC NewsGerman Court Rules Milka Chocolate Bar Weight Reduction Misled Consumers
A court in Bremen found the manufacturer of Milka's Alpine Milk chocolate bar violated competition law by reducing the bar from 100g to 90g while using similar packaging. The ruling requires clear notice on wrappers to avoid misleading consumers about product size. The company sa…
Fox NewsApple Reaches $250 Million Settlement in Apple Intelligence Marketing Lawsuit, Denies Wrongdoing
Apple has reached a proposed $250 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit over its marketing of Apple Intelligence features for the iPhone 16 and certain iPhone 15 models. The company denies any wrongdoing and says the deal will let it focus on product development. The settl…
Nbc NewsMeta Allows Repeat Scam Ads Targeting Seniors on Facebook and Instagram
A report released Tuesday by the Center for Countering Digital Hate found that scam ads targeting seniors generated an estimated 215 million impressions on Facebook over the past year, with 73 percent viewed by users over 65. The ads often used fake images or videos of celebritie…
medianama.comTexas Sues Netflix Alleging Deceptive Data Practices
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Netflix on Monday accusing the streaming service of spying on children, designing an addictive platform, and misrepresenting its data collection practices for years. The suit claims Netflix tracked and sold user data to br…
Nbc NewsTexas Attorney General Sues Netflix Over User Data Collection and Platform Design
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Netflix on Monday accusing the company of collecting user data without consent and designing addictive features. The suit alleges Netflix tracks viewing habits and other behavioral data across adult and children's profiles…
ww2.kqed.orgSanta Clara County Sues Meta Over Scam Advertisements
Santa Clara County, California, filed a lawsuit against Meta Platforms Inc. alleging the company knowingly facilitates and profits from scam advertisements on Facebook and Instagram. The county counsel said the ads targeted seniors and families with fraudulent financial products,…
theverge.comFTC Sends Letters to More Than a Dozen Tech Companies Seeking Compliance With Take It Down Act
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has sent letters to more than a dozen major technology companies reminding them of their obligations under the Take It Down Act. The letters specifically name Amazon, Alphabet and Apple among the recipients. The agency is seeking confirmation tha…
news.google.comE.On Agrees to Buy Ovo Energy in Deal That Would Create UK's Second-Largest Domestic Supplier
E.On has announced plans to acquire Ovo Energy, a move that would combine 9.6 million customers and position the merged entity as one of the UK's biggest energy providers. Consumer groups urged Ovo customers not to panic, confirming that all existing tariffs will be honoured and…
newser.comJustice Department Sues Illinois Home Repair Firm and CEO for Deceptive Sales
The Department of Justice filed a civil complaint against B.E.S.T. GDR, LLC doing business as Premium Home Service and its CEO Yosef Bernath for violations of the FTC Act and related laws. The action halts alleged consumer deception in home repair and improvement services and tri…
nymag.comTrump Mobile Cancels Gold Phone Delivery Guarantee After Collecting $60 Million in Deposits
Nearly 600,000 people paid $100 deposits for the unreleased gold-colored T1 phone more than a year ago, but no devices have shipped and the promised launch dates have been repeatedly delayed. The company behind the phone, T1 Mobile LLC, quietly revised its terms in April to state…
Private Student Loans Poised for Growth as Trump Repayment Changes Take Effect
President Donald Trump's federal student-loan changes set to begin July 1 will limit federal borrowing and direct more students toward private lenders. Business Insider reviewed a decade of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau complaints and interviewed borrowers and former regul…
The Sydney Morning HeraldRegulator Reviews Gambling Company Emails on Inactive Accounts
The Australian Communications and Media Authority is examining emails sent by a gambling company to dormant customers that warn of inactivity fees without mentioning the BetStop service. Customers can use BetStop to close accounts and receive refunds without placing bets.
WiredBooking.com Notifies Some Customers of April Data Breach Involving Names, Emails and Booking Details
A Booking.com breach in April 2026 leaked personal and reservation information but no financial data. The company notified affected users of heightened scam risks and reiterated it will never request credit card details or alternative payments. Reservation hijacking scams, which…
The Sydney Morning HeraldAustralian Regulator Finds 500 BetStop Breaches by Betting Company but Issues No Fine
The Australian Communications and Media Authority determined that Entain, the company behind Ladbrokes and Neds, committed more than 500 breaches of national self-exclusion rules over three years. The regulator could not issue fines because its investigation exceeded the 12-month…
foxbusiness.comLawsuit Accuses Cento Fine Foods of Mislabeling San Marzano Tomatoes
A proposed class-action lawsuit filed in California alleges that Cento Fine Foods falsely markets some of its canned tomato products as containing certified San Marzano tomatoes. The company said the suit is without merit and vowed to seek its dismissal. The case references a sim…
Japan TimesNikkei 225 Hits Record Highs as Police Report ¥182.7 Billion in Online Investment Scam Losses
Japanese police renewed warnings about fake investment websites that display large profits to lure victims, even as the Nikkei 225 stock average climbed to record levels. Losses from such scams surged ¥55.5 billion from the previous year to a record ¥182.7 billion in 2025, accord…
swissinfo.chOnline Retailers Use Generative AI to Portray Themselves as Small Businesses
An ABC News visual investigation identified dozens of online retailers using AI-generated images and videos to depict themselves as struggling small businesses or retiring craftsmen. The sites sell clothing, jewelry, lamps and other goods while claiming to offer handmade or high-…
VarietyTexas AG Ken Paxton Files Lawsuit Against Netflix Alleging Deceptive Data Practices
Texas filed suit in Collin County accusing Netflix of tracking users without consent, selling their data to brokers including Experian and Acxiom, and designing an addictive platform while misrepresenting its privacy and advertising policies. The complaint cites Reed Hastings' 20…
yahoo.comAldi Recalls Vanilla Creme Brulee in Seven States Over Glass Contamination
Aldi recalled more than 2,800 cases of Specially Selected Vanilla Creme Brulee after the product was found to potentially contain pieces of glass. The FDA elevated the recall to Class II on April 28, indicating a serious health risk. The dessert was sold in Florida, Illinois, Ind…
Los Angeles TimesGeneral Motors Agrees to Pay $12.5 Million to Settle California Driver Data Sales Claims
General Motors has agreed to pay $12.5 million to settle allegations it sold location and driving data from hundreds of thousands of California drivers between 2020 and 2024. The payment is the largest penalty issued under the California Consumer Privacy Act. The settlement requi…
Fox NewsDOJ and FBI-led Operation Results in 276 Arrests and Shuts Down Nine Overseas Crypto Fraud Centers
U.S. authorities, working with international partners and Meta, dismantled organized cryptocurrency fraud networks that targeted Americans and drained millions of dollars. The operation resulted in at least 276 arrests and federal charges against several suspects. Meta provided c…
swissinfo.chOnline Retailers Use Generative AI to Portray Themselves as Small Businesses
An ABC News visual investigation identified dozens of online retailers using AI-generated images and videos to present themselves as struggling small businesses or retiring craftsmen. The sites sell clothing, jewelry, lamps and other goods while charging premium prices for produc…
BBC NewsBBC Investigation Finds Misleading AI Fitness App Adverts
A BBC Sport investigation identified fitness app advertisements using AI-generated instructors that make exaggerated claims about body transformations. The adverts breached UK advertising rules by promising results such as losing 40 pounds in a month or looking 20 years younger.…
nypost.comCalifornia Plaintiffs File Class Action Against Cento Over 'Certified San Marzano' Tomato Labeling
A class action lawsuit filed in California accuses the New Jersey-based company of misleading consumers with its 'Certified San Marzano' canned tomatoes. Plaintiffs claim the product lacks the taste, consistency and physical traits of authentic San Marzano tomatoes protected by E…