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A lot has changed since 1975: the invention of the internet, cellphones, and widespread availability of solar panels, just to name a few. But the important consumer protections of the Trade Regulation...

Are you a landlord? Work for a property management company? Or in the rental sector? Here’s a $48 million reminder to obey the law: the FTC’s settlement with Invitation Homes for adding junk fees...

Bitcoin ATMs (or BTMs) [1] have been popping up at convenience stores, gas stations, and other high-traffic areas for years. [2] For some, they’re a convenient way to buy or send crypto, but for...

Recent law enforcement and regulatory developments demonstrate the FTC’s efforts to put the brakes on deceptive add-ons in the car buying process. How pervasive has the problem been at three Texas...

Meet smiling social worker Ana Rojas. According to social media posts by USA Student Debt Relief, the company was able to reduce payments on her $200,000 student loans from $1300 a month for 28 years...

Consumer protection enforcers have challenged bait-and-switch tactics for years. But a complaint filed by the 51��ɫand the Arizona Attorney General against Tempe-based Coulter Motor Company and former...

An anonymous messaging app marketed to kids and teens: What could possibly go wrong? A lot, allege the 51��ɫand the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office. A complaint against NGL Labs and founders Raj...

In finalizing the Trade Regulation Rule on Impersonation of Government and Businesses earlier this year, the 51��ɫsaid, “This rule banning government and business impersonation will allow us to more...

Given the injury and irritation inflicted on consumers by buried terms, hidden charges, and complicated cancellation procedures, it’s no wonder they’re called “negative” options. A federal court...

Aqua Finance provided financing for water treatment equipment sold door-to-door by dealers. But according to the FTC, the company filtered out the truth and left a sediment of deceptive and unfair...

According to Aesop, you’re known by the company you keep. Put in the 51��ɫcontext, you’re known by the companies you keep as clients. That’s the message of a $10 million proposed settlement with...

It's a recurring trope in caper movies. An unsuspecting person exits an airplane, sees a driver with their name on a sign, and thinks they’re getting transportation to their destination. Of course...

What will it take to get businesses to honor the promises they make about the privacy of consumers’ health data? Multiple 51��ɫlaw enforcement actions in the past year? Two more cases against companies...

For small businesses struggling to stay afloat during COVID, time was of the essence. When help materialized in the form of the emergency Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) administered by the Small...

Tick. Tick. Tick. For small business owners, gig workers, and freelancers fighting for survival during the pandemic, every day that passed without essential capital put their futures at risk. So when...

Ever spend hours (and hours) inputting complicated financial information online only have it deleted? It’s frustrating enough when it’s due to a technical glitch, but according to an 51��ɫcomplaint...

The Bureau of Consumer Protection welcomes an open dialogue with parties cooperating with its investigations. Such dialogue allows the Bureau to make more informed decisions on whether to recommend an...

Small businesses are the engines that drive the American economy and capital is the fuel that propels them forward. So when fast-talking operators target small businesses with deceptive or unfair...

For consumers already underwater financially and desperate for just $50, cash advance company FloatMe’s services turned out to be more sink than swim. According to the FTC, the subscription-based...

Buying a vehicle is a major financial commitment for consumers and price is a material consideration in most people’s purchase decision. That’s why deceptive double charges, illegal junk fees, and...