Recent News from Attorney General Offices and Federal Sources

News From Attorney General Offices and Federal Sources 1

Please find below a digest of recent consumer protection actions  by attorneys general and federal agencies related. To view an archive of past consumer actions listed chronologically, click here. To view an archive of past consumer actions listed by state, click here.

June 2021

 June 14, 2021

  • Colorado: Attorney General Weiser Announces Colorado Mobil Home Company to Pay $25,000, Implement New Safety Measures After Data of More than 700 Coloradans Exposed
  • FTC: Promoter of $23,000 COVID-19 “Treatment” Plan Barred from Making Bogus Health Claims
  • FTC: FTC Files Amended Complaint Seeking Civil Penalties Against Small Business Financing Providers
  • Indiana: Attorney General Rokita Consumer Alert: Watch Out for Home Improvement Scammers
  • Washington: Attorney General Ferguson Consumer Alert: Beware of Scams Related to Washington’s COVID Vaccine Lottery Program
  • West Virginia: Attorney General Morrisey Warns Consumers About Grandparent Scam

 June 10, 2021

  • FTC: FTC Approves Final Administrative Consent Order Against Amazon for Withholding Customer Tips from Amazon Flex Drivers
  • Michigan: Attorney General Nessel, State Legislators Announce Legislative Package to Strengthen Guardianship and Conservatorship Laws
  • U.S. Department of Justice: Avis Budget Group to Pay $10.1 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations for Overcharging United States on Rental Vehicles
  • Washington: Attorney General Ferguson Consumer Alert: Watch Out for Marketers Posing as Neutral, Unbiased Addiction Treatment Resources

 June 9, 2021

  • Arizona: Attorney General Brnovich Announces Tucson Man Accused of Taking Money from Vulnerable Adults
  • Florida: Attorney General Moody Secures Conviction in Credit Card Fraud Case Harming Florida Seniors
  • FTC: FTC Sends Nearly $30 Million in Refunds to People Tricked into Enrolling by School Operator’s Lead Generators
  • IRS/Treasury:  More Than 2.3 Million Additional Economic Impact Payments Disbursed Under the American Rescue Plan; Total Payments Top 169 Million
  • U.S. Department of Justice: Georgia CPA Indicted for Promoting Syndicated Conservation Easement Tax Scheme Involving Fraudulent Charitable Deductions

 June 8, 2021

  • California: Attorney General Bonta: In California, Federal Child Tax Credit Is Exempt from Garnishment
  • Connecticut: Attorney General Tong Warns Consumers That Amazon Sidewalk Will Automatically Connect Smart Home Devices to Shared Network on June 8
  • CPSCL: CPSC Report Shows Child Drownings Remain High; Most Fatalities to Children Under Five
  • District of Columbia: Racine Sues Failed Nonprofit Related to U.S. Pavilion at World’s Fair for Improperly Paying Founders More Than $360K in Charitable Funds
  • Illinois: Consumer Alert: Attorney General Raoul Encourages Illinois Residents to Submit Claims in $31 Million Keurig K-Cup Settlement
  • Indiana: Attorney General Rokita: Thousands of Hoosiers Will Soon Receive Major Relief Following $550 Million Settlement With Largest U.S. Subprime Auto Financing Company
  • Massachusetts: Attorney General Healey Urges Businesses and Government Agencies to Take Immediate Steps to Protect Operations From Ransomware Attacks
  • Mississippi: Attorney General Fitch Files Lawsuit Against Insulin Manufacturers and PBMs over Insulin Pricing Scheme
  • New York: Attorney General James Delivers More Than $530,000 to New Yorkers Who Lost Power Following Tropical Storm Isaias
  • Ohio: Attorney General Yost Files Landmark Lawsuit to Declare Google a Public Utility
  • U.S. Department of Justice: Hospital Pharmacist Sentenced for Attempt to Spoil Hundreds of COVID Vaccine Doses
  • Washington: Debt Collector to Return $475,000 to Washington Consumers as a Result of Attorney General Ferguson’s Lawsuit

 June 7, 2021

  • Connecticut: Attorney General Tong Praises Final Passage of Data Breach Notification Bill
  • FCC: 2.3 Million Households Sign Up for Emergency Broadband Benefit
  • FTC: FTC Sends More Than $172 Million in Refunds to Consumers Misled by Rent-To-Own Provider Progressive Leasing
  • FTC: Operators of MoviePass Subscription Service Agree to Settle FTC Allegations that They Limited Usage, Failed to Secure User Data
  • Michigan: Attorney General Nessel Reminds Michiganders to Research Home Improvement Offers
  • New Hampshire: Attorney General Formella: Elvis Guzman Indicted on Additional Charges for Role in Grandparent Scams Targeting Elderly New Hampshire Residents
  • New Mexico: Attorney General Balderas Files Suit against Baby-Food Makers and Retailers for Selling Products Containing Toxic Heavy Metals
  • New York: Attorney General James Secures Appointment of Court Receiver to Protect Investors’ Money During Lawsuit
  • U.S. Department of Justice: Department of Justice Seizes $2.3 Million in Cryptocurrency Paid to the Ransomware Extortionists Darkside by Colonial Pipeline

 June 4, 2021

  • Colorado: Attorney General Weiser Announces Colorado Travel Company to Notify Customers of Refunds, Voucher Options for Trips Canceled Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

 June 3, 2021

  • Arizona: Attorney General Brnovich Fights to Protect Consumers in Class Action Lawsuit
  • Colorado: Attorney General Weiser Announces DIRECTV to Pay More Than $1 Million in Refunds to Coloradans Who Were Overcharged During Altitude Sports Blackout
  • District of Columbia: Attorney General Racine Sues Officer of Two Nonprofits for Abusing His Authority for Decades & Diverting Charitable Funds for Personal Benefit
  • FCC: FCC Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel Signs MOU with Australian Counterpart To Work Together In Fighting Illegal Robocalls And Spoofing
  • FDA: FDA Alerts Health Care Providers to Stop New Implants of Certain Ventricular Assist Device System
  • Florida: Video: Attorney General Moody Warns Floridians About Phantom Debt Collectors
  • Minnesota: Attorney General Ellison Files Enforcement Action Against Fundraiser Who Did Not Properly Spend Money Raised in Philando Castile’s Name
  • Ohio: Attorney General Yost Investigation of ‘Dogs 4 Warriors’ Leads to Settlement, Dissolution

 June 2, 2021

  • Kentucky: Attorney General Cameron Sues CVS for Company’s Role in Opioid Epidemic
  • Massachusetts: Attorney General Healey Secures $260,000 From South Shore Anesthesia Provider to Settle Alleged Unfair “Surprise Billing” Practices
  • New Hampshire: Attorney General Formella Announces Contractor Alex Tocci Indicted with Theft of Consumer’s Money

 June 1, 2021

  • Arizona: Attorney General Brnovich Announces 26,000+ Arizonans Mailed Checks in Landmark Home Warranty Settlement
  • Florida: Attorney General Moody Video Consumer Alert: Be Aware of Real Estate Scams
  • FTC: FTC Approves Final Administrative Consent Orders against Companies that Deceptively Marketed Fish Oil Supplements with False Claims They Were Clinically Proven to Treat Liver Disease
  • FTC: Claims Process Opens for Consumers Who Were Victimized by Fraudulent MoneyGram Transfers
  • Indiana: Attorney General Rokita Consumer Alert: Products Recalled in May
  • Louisiana: Hurricane Season Begins Today: Attorney General Jeff Landry Encourages Preparation and Warns Against Scams
  • New York: Attorney General James Asks Court to Force Kodak CEO to Publicly Testify on Insider Trading During COVID-19 Pandemic
  • Texas: Attorney General Paxton Reaches Agreement with Tobacco Companies Resulting in $195 Million Awarded to Texas
  • U.S. Department of Justice:  Nevada Bottled Water Companies and Owners Ordered to Stop Distributing Adulterated and Misbranded Water Products
  • West Virginia: Attorney General Morrisey, Burial Vault Provider Reach Settlement Securing Full Consumer Restitution