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James R Hood

Facebook, Amazon, YouTube, Others in FTC Privacy Inquiry

Facebook, Amazon, YouTube, Others in FTC Privacy Inquiry

The Federal Trade Commission is issuing orders to nine social media and video streaming companies, requiring them to provide data on how they collect, use, and present personal information, their advertising and user engagement practices, and how their practices affect children and teens. The FTC is issuing the orders under

Scams Spreading Like a Virus, Feds & States Crack Down

Scams Spreading Like a Virus, Feds & States Crack Down

The Federal Trade Commission, along with 19 federal, state, and local law enforcement partners has launched a nationwide crackdown on scams that target consumers with fake promises of income and financial independence that have no basis in reality. The impact of these scams has intensified as scammers take advantage of

Online Trading Academy ordered to refund consumers' payments

Online Trading Academy ordered to refund consumers' payments

Consumers who signed up for online trading courses that netted them little or nothing will be eligible for more than $10 million in refunds under the terms of a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission. Online Trading Academy will be required to offer debt forgiveness to thousands of consumers who

Amazon 'gouged' consumers during pandemic: report

Amazon 'gouged' consumers during pandemic: report

Sept. 11, 2020 — Amazon is price-gouging customers on a wide range of essential goods – jacking up prices on face masks, toilet paper and antibacterial soap by up to 1,000%, according to a Public Citizen report. The report alleges a pattern of “outrageous” price increases for products listed as “sold

'Light' drinking may not be light enough

'Light' drinking may not be light enough

There’s a general belief that light drinking — just a drink or two a day — isn’t harmful and may even be good for you. A new study casts a bit of doubt on that somewhat rosy outlook. The study of nearly 27 million South Korean adults 20 and older

Americans tighten budgets as pandemic drags on

Sept. 5, 2020 — It’s often said that Americans don’t save enough, but COVID-19 is changing all that, at least for now, according to a Consumer Reports study. More than half of U.S. consumers have cut back on spending since the coronavirus pandemic began, the magazine found. While

Consumers have rights when companies go bankrupt

Consumers have rights when companies go bankrupt

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra recently provided important information and resources regarding business bankruptcies and consumer rights amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Families, businesses and communities throughout the country are facing unprecedented financial strain as a result of the public health emergency. The economic impact of the pandemic has caused many