Federal Trade Commission
Coverage of Federal Trade Commission in the Nexus archive.
- Inside the fraud scandal that's rocked the $15 billion trading card industry
Anthony Curcio was charged with wire fraud and conspiracy for allegedly defrauding buyers in the $15 billion trading card industry, based on evidence including doctored labels. While prosecutors point to fraud, Curcio's defense claims the real issue is market monopoly held by Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) and its parent company, Collectors Holdings.
- Fertilizer prices swing, Michigan farmers warn of more pressure ahead
Michigan farmers report rising fertilizer prices squeezing profit margins, with concerns over global market disruptions and industry consolidation. The Federal Trade Commission is investigating the fertilizer industry amid volatility, as growers prepare for fall and winter purchases.
- Ninth Circuit: FTC can get its bag
The Ninth Circuit Court ruled that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) can proceed against a scam. The ruling is referenced in the article, which also directs readers to prior coverage of the scam.
- Senate set to debate package of bills on privacy, AI and kids safety
The Senate is set to debate five bills addressing online privacy, AI, and children's safety, with the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) requiring platforms to exercise 'reasonable care' for minors' data and design. The bill, sponsored by Marsha Blackburn and Richard Blumenthal, faces opposition from some advocacy groups due to weakened provisions in the House version, while large tech companies supported earlier drafts. The markup also includes the SCREEN Act, which would require age verification for social media users.
- The Download: US robot restrictions, and ICE’s DNA grab
The Federal Trade Commission banned foreign imports of advanced robots, including humanoids and wheeled models, as part of expanded AI industry protection under the Trump administration. ICE collected nearly one million people’s DNA in 2023, most of whom were never convicted of a crime.
- Pentagon loses pressure campaign to restrict quantum merger
The Federal Trade Commission approved a $2 billion merger between quantum computing company IonQ and chip manufacturer SkyWater despite objections from a senior Pentagon official. The Pentagon had sought restrictions to protect U.S. government investments in quantum computing, but the FTC's decision left the merged company without compliance obligations.
- Trump’s AI protectionism has come for robotics
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) banned foreign imports of advanced robots, citing national security risks and the need to protect US companies from Chinese competition. The Trump administration's move aligns with broader AI protectionism, including potential restrictions on open-source Chinese AI models. The ban's effectiveness is debated due to US robotics firms' reliance on foreign technology.
- Colorado victims warn of fake Evite, Paperless Post phishing scam after email accounts compromised
Colorado residents, including Alie Mitisek, fell victim to a phishing scam disguised as fake Evite and Paperless Post invitations, leading to compromised email accounts. The Federal Trade Commission and AARP ElderWatch warn that scammers exploit digital invitations for events like graduations and family gatherings to steal login credentials and spread the scam further.
- FTC fines ticket reselling company Elite Events and Tickets
The Federal Trade Commission is fining ticket reselling company Elite Events and Tickets for allegedly violating the Better Online Ticket Sales Act. The company neither admitted to nor denied the FTC's allegations.
- Hims & Hers accused of sharing health secrets and hiding the cancel button
The FTC is suing Hims & Hers for allegedly sharing customers' sensitive health data with Meta, Snap, and other advertising platforms, and for misleading them about billing and subscription cancellation processes. The company is accused of violating privacy assurances and enrolling customers in recurring subscriptions without proper consent.
- FTC sues Hims & Hers over alleged health data sharing with Meta, Snap
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sued Hims & Hers, alleging the telehealth company shared users' health data with Meta, Snap, and other third parties, while also deceiving customers about billing and cancellation practices. Hims & Hers responded, claiming the FTC ignored evidence and industry standards.
- Socialism's war on success has a new champion — and he’s running for Senate in Michigan
Abdul El-Sayed, a candidate for Michigan's U.S. Senate, faces criticism for his ties to democratic socialist groups and prominent socialists like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The article highlights his high income and wife's medical practice that allegedly does not accept Medicare, while advocating policies such as 'Medicare for All' and anti-corporate economic reforms linked to Lina Khan. It also references the revival of the American Innovation and Choice Online Act as part of a broader anti-business agenda.
- Hims & Hers stock sinks after FTC sues over health data sharing and billing
Hims & Hers stock declined following a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) lawsuit alleging the telehealth company shared sensitive health data with Meta and Snap while misleading users about billing and cancellation policies.
- Shein says it's under investigation by the Federal Trade Commission as it prepares for Hong Kong IPO
Shein disclosed that the Federal Trade Commission is investigating its U.S. business, though the investigation's specifics remain unclear. The company is preparing for an initial public offering in Hong Kong.
- Amazon Prime subscribers: Could you be eligible for settlement money?
Millions of Amazon Prime customers may be eligible for money from a $2.5 billion settlement involving Amazon and the FTC.
- Here’s how to claim your refund from $2.5 billion FTC deal in Amazon Prime settlement
Amazon is processing refunds under a $2.5 billion FTC settlement following allegations of unauthorized Prime enrollments and cancellation barriers. Eligible U.S. customers who signed up via a 'challenged enrollment flow' or faced cancellation issues between June 2019 and June 2025 may receive up to $51, with claims due by July 27.
- Here's how to claim the Amazon Prime FTC lawsuit payout before the deadline
Amazon is paying $1.5 billion to customers as part of an FTC settlement over misleading Prime sign-up tactics. Eligible customers can claim refunds of up to $51 until July 27, 2026, if they were unknowingly enrolled or failed to cancel Prime between June 2019 and June 2025.
- Mamdani assembles an economic ‘dream team’ to redirect NYC’s powerful development arm toward affordability
Mayor Zohran Mamdani appointed Anthony Shorris as president and CEO of the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and Lina Khan as its board chair to prioritize affordability initiatives, including city-run grocery stores. The leadership change aims to redirect the EDC’s focus from traditional development projects toward addressing housing and economic equity.
- Mamdani throws business leaders a curveball: Tapping antitrust crusader Lina Khan
Zohran Mamdani appointed Lina Khan to lead the board of New York City's Economic Development Corporation (EDC), with Anthony Shorris as president. The move aims to align business development with affordability goals, leveraging Khan's antitrust expertise and Shorris's public-private sector experience.
- Mamdani taps Lina Khan and Tony Shorris for key New York economic posts
New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani has appointed Lina Khan as chair of the Economic Development Board and Tony Shorris as leader of the Economic Development Corporation. Khan previously chaired the Federal Trade Commission during the Biden administration and has been a close adviser to the mayor.
- Amazon Prime members have one week left to claim up to $51 from the $2.5 billion FTC settlement
Amazon Prime members have until one week to claim up to $51 from a $2.5 billion FTC settlement. The settlement addressed allegations that Amazon enrolled customers in Prime without consent and made cancellation processes difficult.
- Deadline approaches for Amazon Prime settlement claims
A $2.5 billion settlement involving Amazon Prime accounts requires customers to submit claims by July 27. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alleged Amazon enrolled users in Prime without consent and made cancellations difficult, leading to a $1 billion fine and $1.5 billion in customer payments. Eligible users must meet four conditions, including unintentional enrollment or failed cancellations between June 2019 and June 2025, limited Prime usage, and not having already received an automatic refund.
- [US] Months of Personal Loan Scam Calls
The user has been receiving frequent 'personal loan eligibility' scam calls for 4-5 months, using spoofed numbers and a callback number linked to a US suburb they rarely visit. They've reported the number to the FTC and joined the national do not call registry but are overwhelmed by the volume, leading to missed legitimate calls.
- Lululemon sued over ‘phantom discounts’
A California woman sued Lululemon for allegedly using fictitious regular prices and 'phantom discounts' to mislead customers into believing products are on sale. The complaint cites an example of yoga pants listed at $59 with a $98 'strikethrough' price, which the plaintiff claims was never recently offered. The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief, restitution, and damages, referencing FTC guidelines on deceptive pricing practices.
- “Zero Evidence”: How Judges and Grand Juries Have Rejected the Trump Administration’s Efforts to Investigate and Prosecute
The Trump administration's efforts to investigate and prosecute various individuals and institutions have been repeatedly blocked by courts and grand juries. Key examples include 18 grand jury 'no bills', 16 blocked grand jury subpoenas, and courts dismissing 16 DOJ lawsuits seeking state voter data, with Trump-appointed judges among the rejectors.
- How sweepstakes entry data can reach scammers
Sweepstakes entry data can be shared with third parties like marketing partners and data brokers, increasing privacy risks. This information may be combined into detailed profiles for targeted advertising or used in fraudulent campaigns. The FTC warns that sweepstakes promoters might sell entry data, leading to spam, telemarketing calls, and junk mail.
- ‘Right to repair’ is coming to cars, but there’s still this big blind spot as consumers demand more autonomy
BMW patented a screw design requiring specialized tools to restrict independent repairs, while lawmakers push the Repair Act to mandate access to vehicle repair data and tools. Advocates like ChrisFix argue for consumer choice in vehicle servicing, but automakers limit software and data access, complicating repairs for independent shops.
- Angry about fraud or an unsafe product? Here’s how to file a federal complaint
The article outlines federal agencies and processes for filing complaints related to fraud, unsafe products, and consumer issues. It highlights the FTC, CFPB, CPSC, FAA, FBI’s IC3, and others, emphasizing that complaints remain valuable despite government budget cuts and regulatory rollbacks.
- Scammers posing as landlords in Eden Prairie took over $4,000, police say
Eden Prairie police reported a rental scam where scammers impersonated landlords, deceiving four victims into paying over $4,000 for fraudulent leases tied to two local homes. Authorities are collaborating with a real estate company that owns the homes, which were falsely advertised for rent despite being listed for sale.
- Rebecca Slaughter speaks out
Rebecca Slaughter lost her Supreme Court case challenging President Trump's removal from the Federal Trade Commission, with the court ruling in favor of Trump's authority. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson discussed her memoir in Fairbanks, and Trump announced new tariffs on Brazil.
- Corn growers urge DOJ investigation into ‘collusive’ fertilizer industry practices
Corn growers and agricultural associations are urging the DOJ to investigate the fertilizer industry for collusive practices, citing exorbitant input costs threatening the agricultural economy. The letter highlights recent federal actions, including DOJ and FTC probes into companies like Nutrien, Mosaic, and CF Industries, and calls for stronger antitrust enforcement.
- [US] 'Inside the Scam' from The Associated Press and FRONTLINE
Scams are a global issue causing millions of victims and billions in annual losses. The Federal Trade Commission reported $15.9 billion in U.S. fraud losses in 2025, primarily from investment and romance scams. The Associated Press and FRONTLINE collaborated on an interactive experience highlighting scam victims' stories and tactics used by fraudsters.
- FTC warns of revived 'unclaimed life insurance' scam, which has targeted Coloradans | Denver7 Investigates
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a warning about a revived 'unclaimed life insurance' scam targeting Coloradans, where scammers pose as lawyers claiming individuals are heirs to non-existent life insurance policies. Victims are pressured to provide personal financial information or pay upfront fees, with Colorado families, including Eric Lozano’s in Morrison, reported as targets.
- DHS Plans “All-Out War” on Immigration Scammers as Fraud Complaints Double
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is intensifying efforts to combat immigration scams targeting individuals in immigration proceedings, following a ProPublica report showing fraud complaints doubled under President Donald Trump's second administration. Scammers use social media and fake legal processes to steal millions, leading to deportations and prompting DHS to seek digital traces like URLs and WhatsApp numbers to track perpetrators.
- FTC warns of revived 'unclaimed life insurance' scam, which has targeted Coloradans | Denver7 Investigates
The FTC has issued a warning about a revived scam offering unclaimed life insurance money, targeting Colorado residents. Scammers pose as lawyers claiming individuals are heirs to large policies, requesting personal information or upfront payments. Denver7 Investigates reports Colorado families, including one in Morrison, have been targeted.
- STAT+: FTC settles lawsuit with CVS Caremark over charges it manipulated insulin prices, impeded access
The FTC settled a lawsuit with CVS Caremark, alleging it manipulated insulin prices and restricted access, resulting in up to $8.5 billion in patient savings over 10 years. The settlement requires CVS Caremark to change rebate practices and unlock $4.5 billion in pharmacy counter rebates.
- Sen. Andy Kim floats tech-backed alternative to app store age checks
Sen. Andy Kim proposes the Digital Age Assurance Act of 2026, requiring operating system providers like Apple and Google to collect user ages for app developers to enforce age-appropriate content. The bill, inspired by a California law, does not mandate independent age verification by app stores but requires parental account creation for minors and bans targeted advertising for users under 18. Concerns remain about self-reported age checks being bypassed by minors.
- Trump administration targets state AI laws over ideology
The Trump administration is challenging state AI laws it deems ideologically biased, proposing an FTC policy targeting AI companies that distort outputs for undisclosed ideological purposes. The effort includes a 2025 executive order creating a DOJ AI Litigation Task Force to oppose such laws, following a Colorado law that was revised after prompting a lawsuit supported by the Justice Department.
- Trump administration targets state AI laws over ideology
The Trump administration is challenging state AI laws it deems ideologically biased, with the FTC proposing a policy to address AI systems that distort outputs for undisclosed ideological goals. A Colorado law targeting algorithmic discrimination was repealed, and xAI's lawsuit against revised state regulations is supported by the DOJ. An executive order established a DOJ AI Litigation Task Force to contest state AI laws.
- Trump administration targets state AI laws over ideology
The Trump administration is challenging state artificial intelligence laws it deems ideologically biased, proposing a Federal Trade Commission policy to address AI companies that distort outputs for undisclosed ideological goals. The administration opposes a Colorado law targeting algorithmic discrimination, which was later revised, and supports a lawsuit from xAI, Elon Musk's AI company, against state regulations.