Consumer Alerts

July is designated as Military Consumer Month, but a $43.5 million proposed FTC settlement with a company called Career Step serves as a reminder that when it comes to protecting servicemembers and

The Federal Trade Commission routinely evaluates the privacy representations a company makes against their data handling practices. [1] When discrepancies arise between claim and reality, incorrect

For thousands of years, from ancient Mesopotamian markets to the modern-day yard sale, sellers have set their prices based, in part, on who was buying. In these transactions, prices can be targeted

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

The packages look like candy and snacks that kids like – for example, Double Stuf Oreos, Jolly Ranchers, and Chips Ahoy! cookies. But what’s inside are cannabis edibles containing Delta-8

The history of traditional open-source software provides a vision of the value that could result from the availability of open-weights AI models – including enabling greater innovation, driving

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

“I was online shopping, but you let me down. I was looking for the nicest set of wheels around. You promised to deliver, but it showed up late. And the car that you sold me – well, it’s not so great

The Nixing the Fix Report to Congress, the Commission Policy Statement on Repair Restrictions Imposed by Manufacturers and Sellers, and law enforcement actions against companies charged with illegally

Regular readers know that when it comes to false “Made in USA” claims, the FTC means business. Lying about product origin hurts consumers, honest businesses, and American workers. That’s why we keep

Many people appreciate the flexibility of gig work. But if your company offers gig work opportunities, there’s one thing that isn’t flexible: your obligation to comply with established consumer

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

After a careful review process inviting feedback from consumers and industry members, the FTC has announced final updates to its Ophthalmic Practice Rules, also known as the Eyeglass Rule. The primary

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

In March, the Federal Trade Commission hosted the first-ever Technology Forum by the International Competition Network (ICN) members in Washington, D.C. The forum brought together 21 competition

Earnest chats with objects are not so unusual. Mark “The Bird” Fidrych, the famed Detroit Tiger, used to stand on the pitching mound whispering to the baseball. Forky, the highly animate utensil from

Housing costs take a big bite out of most Americans’ budgets, especially consumers looking for a suitable place to live during a fluctuating rental market. That’s why the FTC has particular concerns

Scammers are all about spinning lies, but they still operate in the real world. Many scammers pretend to be well-known businesses to gain trust and make their stories seem more believable. [1] , [2

Most of the talk about dealmaking and antitrust enforcement focuses on large deals involving large companies. That’s because every year, the antitrust agencies get notice of larger deals—those

The scientific community has a history of creating and sharing lists of important or interesting questions. The mathematician Paul Erdős, for example, famously doled out his questions to students and