• REGULATORY / LEGAL REVIEW Archives

Text Scams – New FCC Order Could Substantially Reduce Them 2023

Text Scams – New FCC Order Could Substantially Reduce Them Author: • SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Text Scams – The United States Federal Communications Commission Is Going After Them On November 22, 2023, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted its Second Report and Order and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, which outlines new measures to combat illegal text messages (text scams and illegal marketing texts.) Read More …

SCARS Editorial Team2023-11-25T21:01:44-05:00November 25th, 2023|Categories: • GOVERNMENT/REGULATORY, • REGULATORY / LEGAL REVIEW, ♠ REGULATORY/LEGAL ACTIONS, 2023, SCARS Editorial Team|Tags: FCC, Federal Commnications Commission, Illegal Text Messages, Text Scams|

FTC Takes Action Against Unsolicited Communications

FTC Takes Action Against Unsolicited Communications By: SCARS Editorial Team Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.; and the United States Federal Trade Commission FTC Joins FCC in Renewing Memorandum of Understanding to Promote Cross-Border Law Enforcement Efforts to Combat Spam, Scams, and Illegal Telemarketing Agencies are partnering with the Unsolicited Communications Enforcement Network The Federal Trade Commission has joined the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in signing a renewed memorandum of understanding (MOU) between public authorities who are members of the Unsolicited Communications Enforcement Network (UCENet). The MOU aims to promote Read More ...

SCARS Editorial Team2023-09-26T21:18:57-04:00September 23rd, 2023|Categories: ♠ REGULATORY/LEGAL ACTIONS, • GOVERNMENT/REGULATORY, • REGULATORY / LEGAL REVIEW, 2023, Federal Trade Commission, SCARS Editorial Team|Tags: FCC, Federal Communications Commission, Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Regulatory Action, U.S. Government|

University of Phoenix Scam

University of Phoenix Scam By United States Federal Trade Commission & SCARS Editorial Team University of Phoenix – FTC Action Leads U.S. Dept. of Education to Forgive Nearly $37 Million in Loans for Students Deceived by University of Phoenix FTC charged that the for-profit University of Phoenix falsely touted relationships and job opportunities with top companies Read More …

SCARS Editorial Team2023-09-27T15:36:04-04:00September 22nd, 2023|Categories: ♠ REGULATORY/LEGAL ACTIONS, • GOVERNMENT/REGULATORY, • REGULATORY / LEGAL REVIEW, 2023, Federal Trade Commission, SCARS Editorial Team|Tags: Education Scam, Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Regulatory Action, University of Phoenix|

The EU Digital Services Act (DSA) Becomes Enforceable

The EU Digital Services Act (DSA) Becomes Enforceable By SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc., portions: Reuters, Washington Post, Council of Europe The EU Has Done With The DSA What The United States Could Not Or Would Not Do! Bring Order And Control To Digital Platforms A New Era of European Digital Regulation The Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA) are two new pieces of legislation that will regulate digital services in the European Union. The DSA will focus on creating a Read More ...

SCARS Editorial Team2023-09-07T22:57:16-04:00August 30th, 2023|Categories: ♠ REGULATORY/LEGAL ACTIONS, • ARTICLES & REPORTS, • GOVERNMENT/REGULATORY, • REGULATORY / LEGAL REVIEW, 2023|Tags: Digital Services Act, DSA, EU Online Platform Regulation, European Union, Government Regulation, Online Platforms|

U.S. FCC Imposes Record Penalty Against Transnational Illegal Robocalling Operation

FCC Issues Historic $300 Million Fine Against The Largest Robocalling Scam It Has Ever Investigated By Federal Communications Commission & SCARS Editorial Team U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Imposes Record Penalty Against Transnational Illegal Robocalling Operation Robocalling Scammers Who Placed Five Billion Auto Warranty Robocalls Fined Nearly $300 Million for Robocall and Spoofing Violations The Federal Communications Commission today issued a record-breaking $299,997,000 fine for auto warranty scam robocalling made by the largest illegal robocall operation the agency has ever investigated. An international network of companies violated federal statutes and the Read More ...

SCARS Editorial Team2023-08-04T21:10:01-04:00August 4th, 2023|Categories: ♠ REGULATORY/LEGAL ACTIONS, • GOVERNMENT/REGULATORY, • NEWS, • REGULATORY / LEGAL REVIEW, 2023|Tags: FCC, Federal Communications Commission, Fine, Robocalling, United States Government|

APP Scam/Fraud Repayment In The UK Moves A Step Further

APP Scam/Fraud Repayment In The UK Moves A Step Further By SCARS Editorial Team - Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc., portions PSR UK's PSR Takes First Step In Implementing New APP Scam Refund/Reimbursement Requirements Today, the United Kingdom's Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) has published its consultation on two of its draft directions which are the legal means to put its new Authorized Push Payments APP scam reimbursement requirements in place. This marks the start of the regulator’s plans to implement new requirements that will see mandatory reimbursement for victims of APP scams. In Read More ...

SCARS Editorial Team2023-07-23T12:07:05-04:00July 23rd, 2023|Categories: ♠ REGULATORY/LEGAL ACTIONS, • GOVERNMENT/REGULATORY, • REGULATORY / LEGAL REVIEW, 2023|Tags: APP Fraud, APP scam, Authorized Push Payments, Financial Fraud, Financial Scams|

Robocall Refunds From The FTC & State Of Florida $540,000

Robocall Refunds From The FTC & State Of Florida $540,000 By SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc., portions FTC FTC and State of Florida Send More Than $540,000 to Consumers Who Lost Money to Robocall Scammers Selling Bogus Interest Rate Reduction Services The Federal Trade Commission and the Florida Attorney General are sending refunds totaling more than $540,000 to consumers nationwide who were defrauded by Life Management Services of Orange County, LLC, and related companies who tricked them into paying for worthless credit card interest rate Read More ...

SCARS Editorial Team2023-07-23T06:56:44-04:00July 23rd, 2023|Categories: ♠ REGULATORY/LEGAL ACTIONS, • GOVERNMENT/REGULATORY, • REGULATORY / LEGAL REVIEW, 2023|Tags: Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Money Recovery, Refunds, Robocall, robocallers, State of Florida|

Illegal Robocallers – People Hate Them

Illegal Robocallers – People Hate Them By Lesley Fair – Federal Trade Commission – reprinted Robocallers E-I-E-I-NO: Operation Stop Scam Calls targets operators that facilitate illegal robocalls, including “consent farms” People hate illegal robocallers. No one knows that more than the FTC, which is why we’ve brought 167 cases to date and we won’t stop until companies that violate the FTC Act and the Telemarking Sales Rule hang up once and for all. In the latest battle against these illegal and injurious intrusions, the FTC and over 100 federal and state Read More ...

SCARS Editorial Team2023-07-22T16:36:29-04:00July 22nd, 2023|Categories: • GOVERNMENT/REGULATORY, • REGULATORY / LEGAL REVIEW, • SCAMS & FRAUD - CRIMES, ♠ REGULATORY/LEGAL ACTIONS, 2023|Tags: Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Illegal Robocallers, Regulatory Action, robocallers, robocalls|

Facebook Is Using Your Tax Data!

Facebook Is Using Your Tax Data! By AP – Associated Press / reprinted 3 Major Tax Prep Firms Shared ‘Extraordinarily Sensitive’ Data About Taxpayers With Meta, Lawmakers Say Three large tax preparation firms sent “extraordinarily sensitive” information on tens of millions of taxpayers to Facebook’s parent company Meta over the course of at least two years, a group of congressional Democrats reported on Wednesday. They say some of that data was then used by Meta to create targeted advertising to its own users, other companies, and to train Meta’s algorithms. The Read More ...

SCARS Editorial Team2023-07-12T18:40:27-04:00July 12th, 2023|Categories: • GOVERNMENT/REGULATORY, • NEWS, • PRIVACY, • REGULATORY / LEGAL REVIEW, • SOCIAL MEDIA & TECH PLATFORMS, ♠ REGULATORY/LEGAL ACTIONS, 2023|Tags: Data Abuse, Facebook, Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Instagram, Meta, Privacy Regulations|

Federal Trade Commission Going After Fake Reviews

Federal Trade Commission Going After Fake Reviews By SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Federal Trade Commission Announces Proposed Rule Banning Fake Reviews and Testimonials The Federal Trade Commission proposed a new rule to stop marketers from using illicit review and endorsement practices such as using fake reviews, suppressing honest negative reviews, and paying for positive reviews, which deceive consumers looking for real feedback on a product or service and undercut honest businesses. Read More …

SCARS Editorial Team2023-07-04T16:46:50-04:00July 4th, 2023|Categories: • GOVERNMENT/REGULATORY, • REGULATORY / LEGAL REVIEW, ♠ REGULATORY/LEGAL ACTIONS, 2023|Tags: Fake Reviews, Fake Testimonials, Fakes, Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Regulatory Action|

Putting DNA Companies to the Test – Privacy and Security of Genetic Information

Privacy and security of genetic information: Putting DNA companies to the test By Lesley Fair, Federal Trade Commission – reprint Some secrets are so secret that no one knows about them. Until recently that described the secrets locked within our DNA. But a key to consumer confidence in the burgeoning genetic testing marketplace is the extent to which people can depend on a company’s promise that “Your secret’s safe with us.” Read More …

SCARS Editorial Team2023-06-25T21:53:23-04:00June 21st, 2023|Categories: • PRIVACY, • NEWS, • REGULATORY / LEGAL REVIEW, 2023|Tags: DNA, Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Generetics, Privacy|

From the FTC: Hey, Alexa! What are you doing with My Data?

From the FTC: Hey, Alexa! What are you doing with my data? By: Elisa Jillson, U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) – reprinted What you say in your home, what you do in your home. It doesn’t get more private than that. But, according to two recent FTC complaints, Amazon and Ring used this highly private data – voice recordings collected by Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant and videos collected by Ring’s internet-connected home security cameras – to train their algorithms while giving short shrift to customers’ privacy. These matters, the first announced since the FTC’s new Biometric Policy Statement, contain important lessons for Read More ...

SCARS Editorial Team2023-07-04T13:33:35-04:00June 21st, 2023|Categories: • GOVERNMENT/REGULATORY, • NEW TECHNOLOGY / AI, • REGULATORY / LEGAL REVIEW, ♠ REGULATORY/LEGAL ACTIONS, 2023|Tags: Alexa, Amazon, Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Privacy, Regulatory Action|

FTC Victim Predators

Attn: Federal Trade Commission

There is a WAR going on against scam victims!

A war where for-profit companies are exploiting and deceiving the victims of scams and financial fraud!

WE ASK THE FTC TO STOP EXPLOITATION OF SCAM VICTIMS NOW!

This war is being led by predatory for-profit companies that want more of these desperate and panicked crime victims\' money or to lead them away from legitimate support!

These companies claim they can get the victim\'s money back or that they will investigate the crime and have the criminals arrested - neither they can do. The victim usually receives a document or two and nothing more for the thousands of dollars they pay in advance for these services. Services that within the United States these companies must be licensed as private investigators to even provide any crime investigations or money recovery services, yet almost all of these companies lack state licenses.

There are cryptocurrency tracing companies that use automated tools to generate a paper report and charging scam victims thousands of dollars in advance for this service! These victims are desperate for help and looking for answers, and instead of sending them to real victims\' assistance providers they are pulling them in and costing them more of the precious little money they have left! What the scammers do is bad enough, but these real companies are exploiting victims one more time!

We call on the Federal Trade Commission to begin exploring this exploitation of crime victims - specifically scam or financial fraud victims by private investigating, money recovery, and other for-profit companies service companies!

We believe that this falls under the Commission\'s authority to regulate deceptive trade practices.

This is despicable and deceptive trade practice that should be banned in the United States without proper state licensing and full and complete disclosure about what they can and cannot do. We also believe the companies and their principals operating without proper legal licenses now should be banned from these activities permanently.

Please do what YOU can to bring this to the attention of the FTC Chair and staff!

Thank you!

Vianey Goes and Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., Directors,
Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
A crime victims\' assistance & crime prevention nonprofit supporting scam victims worldwide for free!
contact@againstscams.org

**your signature**