Tag: FTC
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FTC Claims Amazon Destroyed Two Years of Communication Related to Investigation
The Federal Trade Commission accused Amazon executives of destroying two years of communications in an effort to impede the agency’s investigation into its monopolistic powers, according to details in the complaint that were made public on Thursday. While the FTC and 17 state attorneys general sued the online retail giant in September, the original complaint…
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The FTC Wants to Ban Hidden Fees That Comcast & Spectrum Use To Hide The True Cost of TV – Here is Everything You Need to Know
This, the FTC proposed a new rule that would ban hidden fees and bogus fees that are used to drive up the cost of a service higher than advertised. This practice has been very common in cable TV for years. Cable companies will advertise one price for TV but include a long list of fees,…
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Overseas Scams Have Cost Americans $2.5 Billion Over the Last Eight Years
Fraud perpetuated by international scammers have cost Americans a fortune. Thanks to a Federal Trade Commission report filed this week, we now know exactly how much. In the period between January 1, 2015, to June 30, 2023, American consumers have reported $2.49 billion in losses related to so-called cross-border fraud, with nearly half a million…
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The Death of The Cable TV Hidden Fee? The FTC Wants to Ban Hidden Fees That Hide The True Cost Of TV
Today, the FTC proposed a new rule that would ban hidden fees and bogus fees that are used to drive up the cost of a service higher than advertised. This practice has been very common in cable TV for years. Cable companies will advertise one price for TV but include a long list of fees,…
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Amazon Reportedly Used Secret Code To Manipulate Prices
Amazon previously used an algorithm called “Project Nessie” to move prices up or down on its products to see how competitors would react, and in some cases led the market to raise prices and forced consumers to spend more, according to the Wall Street Journal. Project Nessie is one of the more explosive elements to…
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FTC May Continue Fighting Microsoft-Activision Merger – Even After the Deal Closes
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission will challenge Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of video game company Activision Blizzard, despite already losing the trial to block the deal. On Tuesday, the agency issued an order to resume its review of the merger, meaning it will continue to challenge the deal. “The Commission has determined that the public…
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Amazon Sued by FTC and 17 State AGs for ‘Maintaining Monopoly Power’
The Federal Trade Commission and 17 state attorneys general on Tuesday sued Amazon, claiming the online giant has abused its power and position as a retail platform to maintain an illegal monopoly. The lawsuit alleges that Amazon has used its popular platform to box out retailers that need to operate on the site to reach…
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Robocallers Are Back Again Ahead of Student Loan Repayments – Here is How The FCC is Stopping Them
The Federal Communications Commission has cracked down hard on sources of robocalls, even holding telecommunication companies accountable for allowing scam calls to pass through their networks. Despite the effort, spam calls are making a comeback, and could hit you just as student loan repayments are expected to resume. Blocking service Robokiller reports spam calls increased…
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The FTC Is Offering $245 Million In Refunds For Fortnite Purchases
Did someone use your credit card to make purchases on Fortnite? Did your kids buy stuff without your permission? Now, the FTC is offering refunds for purchases but you need to file soon as there is a deadline to apply. This is all a part of a $245 million settlement between Epic Games, the parent…
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This Online Retailer Got Caught Hiding Low-Star Ratings in Favor of Five-Star Reviews
The Federal Trade Commission is cracking down on online stores that suppress negative reviews. Croc-owned Hey Dude Inc. is the latest retailer found to be promoting positive reviews while sweeping low-star ones under the rug. The FTC ordered Hey Dude to pay $1.95 million in a settlement after the company misled consumers by hiding 80%…