FTC

Regulators are trying to clean up the murky truth in online reviews.

Both agencies with broad oversight over Silicon Valley companies, the FCC and FTC have lacked a Democratic majority for months, preventing them from moving forward with widely anticipated initiatives, like restoring open Internet regulations and crafting new competition rules.

Here's what the impending "consolidation wars" mean for the video game industry.

Scams initiated on social media surged last year, ripping people off for $770 million, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

Images published by the Russian Defence Ministry show the units of the 150th motorised rifle division carrying out a military exercise in Russia's Rostov region bordering Ukraine. This comes amid continuing tensions between Russia and the West over the possibility of an invasion of Ukraine.

Lina Khan’s plan to revamp the FTC’s remit may be too broad to pull off, but she has little choice to swinging big.

Shkreli had increased the price of Daraprim, a lifesaving drug, by 4,000 percent and wrongfully created a scheme to block competition, a federal judge found.

As testing sites see big demand and home test kits are challenging to find in stores, federal authorities are warning people to be on the lookout for fake tests that are popping up online.

A federal judge on Tuesday ruled that the Federal Trade Commission’s antitrust case against Facebook could proceed, in a reversal of fortune for the agency after its first complaint was thrown out last year.

A FTC new complaint alleges Amazon uses “deliberately" confusing practices in search results, misleading users about advertisements on the platform. Ad sales are one of Amazon’s fastest growing businesses and the complaint alleges its practices run afoul of consumer protection laws.

In an August letter to the Biden administration, she promised to deter unlawful mergers in the industry, as well as to ask staff at the agency to investigate abuses in the franchised fuel market. “I will continue to assess how the FTC can use its tools to police unlawful business practices in oil and gas markets, and I am committed to working with the Administration, independent agencies, and state attorneys general to address this concern,” she wrote.

More Americans turned to smoking last year than the year, breaking a 20-year decline in cigarette use.

Consumers looking for love online and on dating apps were increasingly targeted by romance scams during the pandemic. An FTC report finds a sharp increase in such frauds, with losses reaching a record $304 million last year.

Epik long has been the favorite Internet company of the far-right, providing domain services to QAnon theorists, Proud Boys and other instigators of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol .

Tech giants have quietly acquired hundreds of companies over the years without much scrutiny. A new study from the FTC is a step towards changing that

Criminals have ripped off hundreds of thousands of Americans since the start of the pandemic, according to the FTC.

The agency may not have the resources to follow through on its aggressive antitrust goals — and dealmakers know it.

The antitrust agency is backing up its arguments with solid evidence this time.

The FTC is attempting to course correct after it suffered a stunning setback earlier this summer, when a federal judge threw out its suit against the tech giant, along with a similar case from state attorneys general. The Facebook case is the most high-profile challenge that the agency has brought against a tech company in decades, and it’s widely being watched as a bellwether of the growing movement in Washington to curb concentration in the tech industry.

The agency rejected Facebook’s assertion in a letter sent to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

If any of these situations sound familiar, it’s worth reaching out to the FTC to share your story. With all that said, though, be sure to keep your expectations in check. I hate to say it, but it’s very unlikely that the FTC will resolve your specific issue — even if you wound up shelling out money you didn’t need to. Still, each complaint submitted should help the commission figure out what shady practices are still in play, which companies rely on them and how best to fight illicit repair restrictions over the long haul.

An Indiana-based woman was only able to recover a fraction of the money she lost to a man who convinced her to hand over personal details.

The action could have significant impacts on current and future antitrust cases, including against Facebook.

The new Federal Trade Commission chair's first big challenge will be rewriting a lawsuit against Facebook that a federal court tossed out earlier this week.

As families search for affordable rental cars for summer vacation, scammers are taking advantage and creating phony websites and deals, the BBB and FTC warn.

As the number of Americans investing in cryptocurrency has increased, so too have the scams. The Federal Trade Commission released new data showing cryptocurrency-related investment scams have skyrocketed.

Financial readiness is critical before any potential natural disaster to ensure your hard-earned money, important documents and possessions are protected.

A new scam targeting college educators and students is hitting inboxes and tricking recipients into giving up their personal information.

In fact, you’ll likely see scammers trying to take advantage of disaster situations. During National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission is offering some guidance on what you should be looking out for to avoid becoming a victim. Whatever they may be, the FTC says scammers only want you to pay up or share your personal information. Remember, no legitimate company or organization will ever ask you to pay with a gift card, money transfer or pre-paid debit card. And no government agency will ever call, email or text to ask you for money, your Social Security number or your banking information.

SAN ANTONIO – As millions anxiously await their turns for the COVID-19 vaccine, and with many frustrated by more demand than early supply, scammers are already taking advantage, federal agencies and consumer advocates warn. The BBB, along with several federal agencies are warning about emails, text messages, phone calls and social media posts offering early access to the vaccine in exchange for some sort of payment. The state of Texas has a vaccine rollout plan based on who needs the vaccine’s protection most coming first. If you receive an unsolicited offer regarding vaccine, the BBB suggests you do your research by starting with your doctor and relying on known, reliable sources. Related Stories:Texas health official explains issues that may distort how many vaccine doses are actually available31 San Antonio clinics, hospitals to get hundreds of COVID-19 vaccines this weekUniversity Health begins administering COVID-19 vaccines to seniors in next phase of rollout

On today's show, a former FTC attorney reflects on the flurry of antitrust cases against tech companies like Google and Facebook and looks ahead to more action in 2021. Plus, CNBC's Frank Holland explains how the pandemic has not only shifted consumer behavior when it comes to shopping, but also returning unwanted gifts. For years, nations have allowed the likes of Google, Facebook and Amazon to "move fast and break things" with relatively little scrutiny or accountability. The president had previously called the bill an unsuitable "disgrace" and demanded lawmakers raise the second round of stimulus checks to $2,000 per person, from $600. Though the stimulus bill has been signed into law, the push to more than triple the size of direct payments is still underway.

SAN ANTONIO – As holiday shoppers log on to Amazon in record numbers, scammers are stealing the moment - and maybe more. In the Amazon version, the caller says there is some sort of problem with a purchase. In the Apple version, the caller says the person’s iCloud account has been breached and they shouldn’t use any Apple device until the suspicious activity is addressed. The Secret Sister or Secret Santa Gift Exchange is another scheme making the holiday rounds on social media, one that’s illegal, the Better Business Bureau warns. “It’s a very fun pay-it-forward kind of scenario ... but the gift exchange quickly becomes something where it becomes illegal.

SAN ANTONIO – Social media is for more than sharing pet pics and political fights. As people have been scrolling through the pandemic, scammers have been ripping them off for millions of dollars, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Reports of losses due to social media scams have more than tripled in the last year. If you see an ad on your social media feed, don’t depend on the comments for validation. To protect yourself from scammers lurking on social media, experts advise the following:

Unfortunately, scammers are very creative and they come up with all sorts of ways to prey on people in the midst of a pandemic, said Christina Tetreault, Consumer Reports financial policy advocate. San Antonio bar owner in financial bind amid COVID-19 pandemicAmong the tricks to separate people from their money - phony remedies. Scammers also also known to impersonate contact tracers. Instead of asking about your whereabouts, they are asking for financial account information, which contact tracers do not need. People need to be vigilant about sharing information if they did not initiate the contact, Tetreault said.

The FTC sent letters to Arbonne International, doTerra, Modere, Pruvit Ventures and Total Life Changes, each of which sell essential oils, supplements or related products, covering both health claims and income claims. It also warned supplements company IDLife, weight loss and nutrition product company It Works Marketing, and skincare product company Rodan & Fields about earnings claims, and wellness product company Zurvita just about health claims. The FTC's director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection said the organization is on the lookout for false income claims for work-at-home opportunities. It also said earnings claims, both express and implied, must be truthful and non-misleading. In an emailed statement, Rodan and Fields said it has "strict policies concerning earnings and product claims and does not tolerate non-compliant or misleading income claims, and [routinely initiates] enforcement action against such claims."

The FTC said on Tuesday it had received 17,425 complaints related to COVID-19, of which 9,634 were for COVID-related fraud. Los Angeles-based New Performance Nutritions website said it counted among its customers a host of athletes as well as actor Christian Slater and singer Christina Aguilera. Rocky Mountain IV Medics said that it had offered only to help relieve COVID-19 symptoms and avoid hospital treatment. (We) are still attempting to discuss matters with the FTC in regards to this matter, said company owner Ryan Richardson in an email statement. At Bioenergy Wellness, a woman who declined to give her name said she had received the letter and made the changes to her website that the FTC requested.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., introduced a bill Friday that would prohibit price gouging during national emergencies, including the Covid-19 pandemic. It would have to consider any price increase above 10% to be price gouging during such a declaration. E-commerce platforms including Amazon, eBay and Walmart have felt pressure to crack down on price gouging from lawmakers and state attorneys general around the country. Amazon, for example, said in early March it had removed 530,000 offers from its marketplace for coronavirus-related price gouging. It allows enforcers to consider several price factors to determine whether price gouging occurred, rather than provide a blanket threshold.

SAN ANTONIO – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Federal Trade Commission issued a warning letter Wednesday to a company selling products with the claim that they can prevent or treat COVID-19. “Despite previous warnings, the FDA is concerned that we are still seeing chlorine dioxide products being sold with misleading claims that they are safe and effective for the treatment of diseases, now including COVID-19. The sale of these products can jeopardize a person’s health and delay proper medical treatment,” said FDA Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn, M.D. COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the new virus, stands for coronavirus disease 2019. The disease first appeared in late 2019 in Wuhan, China, but spread around the world in early 2020, causing the World Health Organization to declare a pandemic in March.

Truth in Advertising, a nonprofit advertising watchdog, has filed deceptive marketing complaints with the FTC and California regulators against Savage X Fenty, Rihanna's lingerie brand. Savage X Fenty has drawn millions in investment funding and has been lauded for its inclusive sizing and diverse marketing. When navigating to the shopping bag, if an item had been added, a "Savage X Monthly Membership" was also added automatically, without changing the pricing. The organization said it has "identified a sampling of 70 social media posts by 21 different influencers that deceptively advertise Savage X Fenty products. Representatives for Savage X Fenty, TechStyle, the FTC and the Santa Cruz County District Attorney's office didn't immediately respond for requests for comment.

The young senator's campaign seemed novel at the time for its savvy use of social media to build a following. While there was some skepticism by government regulators over the tech industry, they still mostly let companies like Facebook and Google run their course. The Obama administration continued to hire tech alums in the White House. The article called into question traditional interpretations of antitrust law that often measure the so-called consumer welfare standard based on price. These are very visibly big companies, it is not like an oil company or a steel company that you don't see it.

71-year-old Frank Abagnale is a reformed con artist and author of "Scam Me If You Can." He was famously portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio in the 2002 movie "Catch Me If You Can." Scams used to require face-to-face interaction and meant that a scammer needed make a human connection with their target. Technology lets scammers target countless people online and avoid ever meeting them in person. Whether it's a fast-talking con artist or a random message on social media, check out this video to learn about the two red flags you will see in almost every scam.

Two congresswomen from Silicon Valley introduced a new online privacy bill Tuesday that proposes creating a federal enforcement agency to protect privacy rights. Democratic Reps. Anna Eshoo and Zoe Lofgren announced the Online Privacy Act as Congress has struggled to agree on specifics of privacy legislation which both sides largely agree is warranted. Eshoo and Lofgren's new bill proposes the creation of the Digital Privacy Agency (DPA) that would have the power to enforce privacy rights for users and make sure companies follow the law. It also requires opt-in consent for users' data to be used for machine learning or artificial intelligence algorithms. The pair thought, "if the representatives in Silicon Valley took a strong stand for privacy rights, then it would be meaningful for the rest of Congress.

The FTC said in a statement it wants to "better understand" vaping sales and promotional practices, including e-cigarette give-aways, online influencer programs and marketing on college campuses. Those techniques are also at the center of several state and federal investigations into whether Juul's early viral marketing efforts helped spark the surge in teen vaping.

The FTC said Wednesday that consumers rushing to get a $125 check from Equifax as restitution for its 2017 cybersecurity breach should consider the credit monitoring option because the company could run out of money before satisfying all the claims. The notice continues, "For those who have not submitted a claim, the FTC is recommending that affected consumers consider choosing the free credit monitoring service, which is worth hundreds of dollars and comes with identity theft insurance and restoration services. For consumers who have already chosen the cash option, the settlement administrator will e-mail those consumers and provide them with the opportunity to either (1) submit additional information, or (2) switch to the free credit monitoring service. The information services company Experian will be offering the four-year credit monitoring service, as it has for its own free monitoring service between 2017 and 2019. A spokesperson for the office of New York Attorney General Letitia James said, "Free credit monitoring for 10 years is an extremely valuable tool for consumers across the country affected by the breach."

FTC: Equifax might run out of cash, so please take the credit..."Because the amount of money set aside for the cash payment option is capped at $31 million, consumers who select that option may not receive the $125 they had expected,"...Technologyread more

Amazon has acquired some assets and employees of E8 Storage, a small start-up that built data center data storage hardware. A person familiar with the matter confirmed the deal to CNBC on Wednesday and said that all employees received job offers from Amazon Web Services, Amazon's cloud unit. Amazon has long held the leadership position in the market for public cloud infrastructure, staying ahead of Microsoft, Google and others. Now AWS has picked out a company that specializes in hardware that uses flash storage for fast performance. WATCH: How Amazon Web Services transfers massive amounts of data to the cloud

Traders now see a bigger chance of another rate cut by the Federal Reserve in September after it lowered interest rates for the first time since 2008 and hinted at further accommodation. The fed funds futures market now points to a 74% chance of at least a quarter-point rate cut at the Fed's September meeting, according to the CME FedWatch tool. ET, traders were pricing in about a 68% chance of a rate reduction in September. Traders are also pricing in two more cuts to the benchmark lending rate to a range of 150 to 175 basis points by the end of 2019. The policymaking Federal Open Market Committee on Wednesday dropped the target range for its overnight lending rate to 2% to 2.25%, or 25 basis points from the previous level.

A group of Nordstrom family members that own 31.2% of Nordstrom have been working on a proposal to increase their stake in the department store to more than half, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday. The family last year aborted talks to take the retailer private after an initial offer of $50 a share was rejected as too low. Shares of Nordstrom were up more than 8% on Thursday, giving it a market capitalization of $5 billion, according to Factset. Investors have questioned whether there is a continued need for department stores, as more shoppers head online or buy from brands directly. But Nordstrom with its affordable luxury price-point and high-touch customer service has long been viewed as the darling among department stores.

Cramer reviews the top July performers on the Dow Jones and S&P..."When you get days like today ... look to those July leaders for guidance, and, in some cases, you're going to find some solid buying opportunities," Jim Cramer says. Mad Money with Jim Cramerread more

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said the central bank's rate cut approved Wednesday was part an ongoing move to adjust to economic conditions though no guarantee of future cuts. Powell added that Fed officials "think it will serve all of those goals" that he mentioned. Looking at the history of the Fed, Powell cautioned against assuming that this week's cut is the beginning of the cycles that happened in the past. The Fed voted to reduce its benchmark lending rate a quarter point to a range of 2% to 2.25%. "Increasing policy support has kept the economy on track and kept the outlook favorable."

But the FTC's three Republican commissioners who voted for the settlement said the concessions they received were far greater than they could have hoped for through litigation. But the majority-voting Republican commissioners said in a statement that the argument that Zuckerberg should have been named as a defendant "misses the mark because it focuses on optics over substance." The republican commissioners added that even without naming Zuckerberg as a defendant, the FTC's order holds the executive to account more than a court decision likely would. While Zuckerberg's voting control over Facebook's board of directors was not eliminated, the Republican commissioners said the order "significantly diminishes" his power overall. The settlement order also places several other overlapping checks on Zuckerberg's power.

Facebook continues to generate a variety of negative headlines including privacy issues, potential regulation, and controversy over its recently announced Libra currency. Wall Street analysts, however, are undeterred and are sticking by the stock into the company's earnings report after the bell. "However, we believe that fundamentals at FB are solid and that its advertising business remains strong," he said. "New initiatives like Calibra, e-commerce and monetizing messaging should become more important for investors than the major attention on privacy issues witnessed over the past 18 months." Here's what else the major analysts are saying about Facebook's upcoming earnings report:

Workers at LaGuardia and JFK airports plan to start a strike, the FTC says Lifelock is still misleading customers, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture is announcing $85 million in loans to help farmers get better internet access. CBS News Moneywatch's Jill Wagner has the day's business headlines for CBSN.

AT&T sued for throttling users "unlimited" data The FTC says up to 3.5 million of AT&T's high use customers had their data stream "throttled" 60-90 percent -- leaving some smartphones "practically inoperable." Wyatt Andrews reports.

Headlines at 7:30: Crumbs Bake Shop may live to see another day Despite closing its stores on Monday, Crumbs bake shop says it's close to securing financing from various investors. Also, the FTC is suing Amazon for its lack of parent controls. "CBS This Morning" takes a look at some of the headlines from around the globe.