The latest news in the world of scams.
New tricks, new cons, new dangers.
Many consumers don’t buy anything without consulting third-party review sites or checking out the opinions of other customers. But how often are those ratings the product of buying and selling between the “independent” site and companies willing to pay for better play?
During 2019, the FTC received more than 3.2 million reports from consumers. The following are the biggest scams and frauds reported in 2019
Under an FTC settlement, NatureCity LLC will pay a financial judgment of $537,000 and must stop making health related claims that aren’t supported by the necessary scientific evidence.
There are many companies out there promising to tell you how to make money by flipping real estate, but not all those promises are real.
The FTC will be mailing refund checks totaling more than $2 million to people who lost money to a Utah-based business coaching scheme that operated under the names Coaching Department and Apply Knowledge, among others
Are you thinking about joining a multi-level marketing business to earn extra money? Before investing your hard-earned cash, make sure you’re not dealing with a pyramid scheme – a scam that can cost you dearly.
To everyone who reads Scam Report, hangs up on unwanted calls, learns about the latest scams, and checks with friends about suspicious offers: good news!
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski said “The defendants and others allegedly engaged in a massive, multiyear scheme to manipulate the market for precious metals futures contracts and defraud market participants”
Three companies that tout their cannabis-derived products as miracle treatments for serious illnesses have gotten letters from the FTC warning that they’re at risk for legal action unless they have sound scientific evidence to back up their claims.
FDA Advises Consumers to Stop Using Certain Cosmetic Products – Beauty Plus and Claire’s cosmetic products have been recalled after testing positive for asbestos.
As alleged in the FTC’s complaint, the defendants used a variety of deceptive sales tactics and falsely promised that their clients were likely to earn substantial income, their training programs were personalized and open only to qualified participants, and they needed consumers’ financial information to determine if they qualified.
Man Found Guilty of Federal Charges Stemming from Fake Debt-Elimination Services with More than 500 Victims Identified
Defendants Allegedly Fraudulently Solicited and Received more than $4 Million from Customers in Connection with Purported Gold Sales
Multi-level marketing is a diverse and varied industry, employing many different structures and methods of selling. Although there may be significant differences in how multi-level marketers sell their products or services, core consumer protection principles are applicable
Man sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for illicitly distributing anabolic steroids and intentionally misbranding a dietary supplement that secretly contained erectile dysfunction drugs.
The products are known by various names, including Miracle or Master Mineral Solution, Miracle Mineral Supplement, MMS, Chlorine Dioxide (CD) Protocol, and Water Purification Solution (WPS). When mixed according to package directions, they become a strong chemical that is used as bleach.
Thousands lose out as fraudulent business education program “My Online Business Education” – or MOBE taken down by FTC. Many experience crippling losses or mounting debts, including some who have lost more than $20,000
Defendant received at least $550,000 from the scheme and acknowledged the proceeds were sent to a bank account he controlled in Belize.
Defendants charge up to $13,995 – usually on consumers’ credit cards – for a purported business coaching program that provides information that is largely available for free on the Internet.
Body-Building Supplements Worth $1.3 Million Condemned and Forfeited to the United States Under Consent Decree. The court order is the result of efforts by the federal government to protect consumers from potentially dangerous products
FTC to Return $1.7m to Consumers Who Bought Worthless Credit Card Interest Rate Reduction Programs. The court held defendants liable for 11 violations of the FTC Act and the Commission’s Telemarketing Sales Rule
FTC Returns Nearly $315,000 to Consumers Who Bought Worthless Credit Card Interest Rate Reduction Programs
FTC Stops Operators of $6.2M Fake Credit Repair Scheme. Alleges scammers charged upfront fees and falsely promised to improve credit scores.
The FTC alleges ISO, sales agents laundered millions in credit card charges – as case concludes monetary judgment of $5.8 million suspended due to the defendants’ inability to pay
