Heres how it works Acting Associate Director, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC. What to know when you're looking for a job or more education, or considering a money-making opportunity or investment. Have you heard about it? We wont post comments that include personal information, like Social Security numbers, account numbers, home addresses, and email addresses. Search the Legal Library instead. Comments and user names are part of the Federal Trade Commissions (FTC) public records system, and user names also are part of the FTCscomputer user recordssystem. Use our visualizations to explore scam and fraud trends in your state based on reports from consumers like you. Free e-filing tools are available at www.irs.gov/freefile. One of those scams was 8 Figure Dream Lifestyle, which touted a proven business model and told Scammers are calling people and using the names of two companies everyone knows, Apple and Amazon, to rip people off. For example, were not yet living in the realm of science fiction, where computers can generally make trustworthy predictions of human behavior. We may routinely use these records as described in the FTCsPrivacy Act system notices. to remember what Forbidden Planet / Lost in Spaces Robby the Robot said . Click on a case name to see more details about the refund program, including whether we sent checks or PayPal payments. Scammers sometimes send emails that pretend to be from the FTC or a company you know. For more information about the FTCs refund process, see How the FTC Provides Refunds. If you receive a 1099 tax form with your check, you should report the payment as income on your tax return. Looking for legal documents or records? Heres what you need to know about these calls. Spot the latest COVID scams, get compliance guidance, and stay up to date on FTC actions during the pandemic. So far, weve heard that scammers have given job applicants a check that looks like an AMG refund check, and then asked people to deposit the check and use the money to go buy supplies for the supposed employer. Phishing scams are still prevalent. AI hype is playing out today across many products, from toys to cars to chatbots and a lot of things in between. You can find and verify the phone numbers for FTC refund programs at, In these cases, we send an email from the FTC (. ) And at the FTC, one thing we know about hot marketing terms is that some advertisers wont be able to stop themselves from overusing and abusing them. The agency is sending refund checks to two million people over the next two weeks. The FTC uses money collected from its lawsuits to pay for the direct costs of sending refunds, like the cost of printing and mailing checks. They may even, What To Do If You Sent Money to a Scammer, Here is a list of gift cards that scammers often use. If you have any other questions, please call the refund administrator at1-888-304-0228. couch and chair set leather The FTC first sent payments in this matter in May 2020, which resulted in more than $8.4 million in refunds. Memo from Chair Lina M. Khan to commission staff and commissioners regarding the vision and priorities for the FTC. If you think youve been targeted by a fake check scam, report it to. How to protect your personal information and privacy, stay safe online, and help your kids do the same. If you get a PayPal payment, please accept it within 30 days. The FTC says the checks total more than $11 million, and are for victims of a scheme operated by E.M. Systems and Services, who used a variety of fake business names and websites to cold call . A.I accelerate till the camer tell it the cars are all stopped. DANGER, WILL ROBINSON, DANGER! Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Refund checks will expire on August 3, 2022 (90 days after being sent.) Marketers should know that for FTC enforcement purposes false or unsubstantiated claims about a products efficacy are our bread and butter. You dont need a machine to predict what the FTC might do when those claims are unsupported. Because there is still money in the fund, the FTC is sending a second payment to everyone who cashed their first check. We wont post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity. Fake calls from Apple and Amazon support: What you need to know, The Google Voice scam: How this verification code scam works and how to avoid it, Show/hide Shopping and Donating menu items, Show/hide Credit, Loans, and Debt menu items, Show/hide Jobs and Making Money menu items, Money-Making Opportunities and Investments, Show/hide Unwanted Calls, Emails, and Texts menu items, Show/hide Identity Theft and Online Security menu items. Use our visualizations to explore scam and fraud trends in your state based on reports from consumers like you. For example, were not yet living in the realm of science fiction, where computers can generally make trustworthy predictions of human behavior. To file a detailed report about a scam, go to. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. to protect its customer data, falsely advertised that it protected sensitive customerdata with the same high-level safeguards used by financial institutions, and falsely claimed it provided 24/7/365 alerts as soon as it received any indication a customer's identity was being used. Earn Perks With A New Checking Account The .gov means its official. We may also use the agencys Consumer Sentinel Network database to find eligible recipients. If you do, you must create a user name, or we will not post your comment. We enforce federal competition and consumer protection laws that prevent anticompetitive, deceptive, and unfair business practices. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal government site. Our mission is protecting consumers and competition by preventing anticompetitive, deceptive, and unfair business practices through law enforcement, advocacy, and education without unduly burdening legitimate business activity. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. For more information on how the FTC handles information that we collect, please read our privacy policy. You need to know about the reasonably foreseeable risks and impact of your AI product before putting it on the market. But one thing is for sure: its a marketing term. We wont post comments that include vulgar messages, personal attacks by name, or offensive terms that target specific people or groups. businesses to avoid using automated tools that have biased or discriminatory impacts. To find out which recent FTC cases led to refunds, and who to contact with questions, check out, . We review all comments before they are posted, and we wont post comments that dont comply with our commenting policy. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. And its happy news when those cases result in refunds. . Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal government site. We review all comments before they are posted, and we wont post comments that dont comply with our commenting policy. If something goes wrong maybe it fails or yields biased results you cant just blame a third-party developer of the technology. The FTC provides answers to common questions about refund payments on. Lina M. Khan was sworn in as Chair of the Federal Trade Commission on June 15, 2021. Learn about getting and using credit, borrowing money, and managing debt. Whenever possible, the FTC uses the money it collects from defendants to provide refunds to injured consumers. Its usually for more than they owe you, and its sometimes for several thousand dollars. Looking for alternatives for your holiday shopping? I feel you folks (at the FTC) have the moral high-ground to put a TEMPORARY PAUSE on the premature unleashing of what some knowledgeable people predict ** could ** result in . The company and phone number for each case are listed on the chart. An official website of the United States government. FTC attorneys and other staff are paid a salary from the agencys annual budget. . We currently contract with four companies: The FTC never requires you to pay upfront fees or asks you for sensitive information, like your Social Security number or bank account information. Your performance claims would be deceptive if they lack scientific support or if they apply only to certain types of users or under certain conditions. Yes, the FTC sometimes uses PayPal to distribute refunds. The site is secure. Wow, just noticed I have to provide labeled data for CV ML to post this. To file a detailed report about a scam, go to. Heres what you need to know about these calls. Before labeling your product as AI-powered, note also that merely using an AI tool in the development process is not the same as a product having AI in it. It is your choice whether to submit a comment. Search the Legal Library instead. Stephanie T. Nguyen, Chief Technology Officer, Competition and Consumer Protection Guidance Documents, You can findanswers tocommon questions about refund payments on, HSR threshold adjustments and reportability for 2023, A Century of Technological Evolution at the Federal Trade Commission, National Consumer Protection Week 2023 Begins Sunday, March 5, FTC at the 65th Annual Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market - NCPW 2023, Getting In and Out of Free Trials, Auto-Renewals, and Negative Option Subscript, FTC Sends More Than $12 Million in Full Refunds to Victims of Online Billing Scam, Court Holds Terrason Spinks and Jet Processing Inc. It is your choice whether to submit a comment. Find the resources you need to understand how consumer protection law impacts your business. but someone must be able to make distinctions and be able to tell it what is moral, what is not, what is a fact, what is not, what is intentional miss-information what is not what is humor / sarcasm what is not, etc. The site is secure. Please tell the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. In these cases, we send an email from the FTC (subscribe@subscribe.ftc.gov) to payment recipients prior to payment. If you were a little too jolly with your holiday spending, here are some tips to help you pay down your credit card debt. How can a TEMPORARY PAUSE be put on a technology that is being unleashed faster than high-tech firms can safely deploy / control it? Opinions in comments that appear in this blog belong to the individuals who expressed them. If we know of a company that is lying to the public about its AI capability, is there a way to report that? What to know when you're looking for a job or more education, or considering a money-making opportunity or investment. By that time, the scammer has any money you sent, and you're stuck paying the money back to the bank. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission. How to protect your personal information and privacy, stay safe online, and help your kids do the same. The site is secure. The .gov means its official. We may routinely use these records as described in the FTCsPrivacy Act system notices. Will I receive any more money? Recent complaints to the FTC show that scammers are: So how can you tell whether an FTC refund is real? We enforce federal competition and consumer protection laws that prevent anticompetitive, deceptive, and unfair business practices. Find legal resources and guidance to understand your business responsibilities and comply with the law. You dont have to pay for an FTC refund, and you dont have to give any information to cash a refund check. Find legal resources and guidance to understand your business responsibilities and comply with the law. Our mission is protecting consumers and competition by preventing anticompetitive, deceptive, and unfair business practices through law enforcement, advocacy, and education without unduly burdening legitimate business activity. The .gov means its official. In one version of the scam, you get a call and a recorded message that says its Amazon. Advertisers should take another look at our. We work to advance government policies that protect consumers and promote competition. If you have any other questions, please call the refund administrator at1-866-898-5106. Comments and user names are part of the Federal Trade Commissions (FTC) public records system, and user names also are part of the FTCscomputer user recordssystem. Opinions in comments that appear in this blog belong to the individuals who expressed them. The FTC first sent checks in September 2021, which resulted in more than $2.9 million in refunds. Legitimate cashier's checks are nearly risk-free and harder for scam artists to abuse. Use our visualizations to explore scam and fraud trends in your state based on reports from consumers like you. The FTC first mailed checks for this matter in October 2019 and sent PayPal payments in August 2021, resulting in more than $26.5 million in refunds. Dont click on any links in emails that seem to be from the FTC or from PayPal. The Federal Trade Commission(FTC), working in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Justice, announced on Thursday (Sept. 27 .. Call the refund administrator, Analytics, at 855-744-1802. Advertisers should take another look at our earlier AI guidance, which focused on fairness and equity but also said, clearly, not to overpromise what your algorithm or AI-based tool can deliver. This was almost too well said maybe they used a chatbot to edit? We enforce federal competition and consumer protection laws that prevent anticompetitive, deceptive, and unfair business practices. Under a settlement with the FTC, Hold Billing Services (also known as BillingServices Group) admitted to violating a previous court order when the companyadded third-party charges to peoples home phone bills between July 2009 and March 2010. The FTC sends money that cannot be distributed to consumers to the U.S. Treasury. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal government site. Data on FTC refunds are available in interactive online dashboards. Free e-filing tools are available at, You must submit your request in writing by mail or email. For more information on how the FTC handles information that we collect, please read our privacy policy. Because there is still money in the fund, the FTC is sending another round of payments to people who previously cashed a check or accepted a PayPal payment and have a valid email address on file. It can only see both side and in front not a car on the side facing the street that going to pull out. If youd like to know more about how the refund program works, visit this page about the FTCs process. If you think you can get away with baseless claims that your product is AI-enabled, think again. Unless they figure out WHO IS GOING TO DO THAT IN THE FUTURE, will not this whole technology continue to go off the rails and be very dangerous in the wrong hands? They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission. FTC court orders typically require the defendants to provide a list of customers, along with their contact information, and how much they paid. What to do about unwanted calls, emails, and text messages that can be annoying, might be illegal, and are probably scams. A payment or claim form sent as part of an FTC settlement will include an explanation of and details about the case. A puppet becomes a boy. After settling with First Data Merchant Services the payment processor that made it possible for this company to collect credit card payments the FTC is sending customers of E.M. Systems & Services 100% of their lost money back. Make smart shopping decisions, know your rights, and solve problems when you shop or donate to charity. Find the resources you need to understand how consumer protection law impacts your business. I'd expect the SEC, FBI, CIA, and especially the FTC to have the most advanced tools to vet and locate rule breakers. If the agency obtains a reliable list of eligible recipients, then the agency mails checks directly to them. Have you heard about it? Find the resources you need to understand how consumer protection law impacts your business. If you get a refund from the FTC, just deposit or cash the check within 60 days. AI as just a magnification / catalyst to human miss behavior. Memo from Chair Lina M. Khan to commission staff and commissioners regarding the vision and priorities for the FTC. Checks can be verified online at www.ftc.gov/AMG. The FTC enforces consumer protection laws to stop illegal business practices and get refunds to people who lost money. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. Thank you to have the clarity and courage to say this, and to say it so well. does not issue 1099s or other tax documents to refund recipients. You can find and verify the phone numbers for FTC refund programs at ftc.gov/refunds. To avoid these scammers: For more information, please read the FTCs article about phishing scams. The chart below includes recent FTC cases that resulted in refunds. GIGO is a term we use in tech. We wont post off-topic comments, repeated identical comments, or comments that include sales pitches or promotions. The FTC first sent payments in this matter in May 2020, whichresulted in more than $8.4 million in refunds. And you cant say youre not responsible because that technology is a black box you cant understand or didnt know how to test. We work to advance government policies that protect consumers and promote competition. The message says theres something wrong with Its Cyber Security Awareness month, so the tricks scammers use to steal our personal information are on our minds. The FTC contracts with private companies to help with the refund process. We wont post off-topic comments, repeated identical comments, or comments that include sales pitches or promotions. Because the FTC recovered additional money from the defendants, the agency is sending a second round of payments. the payment processor that made it possible for this company to collect credit card payments the FTC is sending customers of E.M. Systems & Services 100% of their lost money back. Whether it's a refund scam promising to get your money back or a recovery scam claiming to get you the prize or products you were promised . The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. Choose "Office Depot" from the "Select a Case" box in the top right corner, then click on your state on the map. Or even claiming it can do something beyond the current capability of any AI or automated technology? The FTC first sent checks in September 2021, which resulted in more than $2.9 million in refunds. Have you heard about it? Looking for legal documents or records? To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Lina M. Khan was sworn in as Chair of the Federal Trade Commission on June 15, 2021. Have you heard about it? Heres what to know about fake check scams. Watch for. . What to know when you're looking for a job or more education, or considering a money-making opportunity or investment. If there is still money available in the settlement fund, we may be able to reissue your payment. . Payments are expected to be issued between October 2022 and January 2023. FTC Sends Refund Checks to Tech Support Scam Victims The Federal Trade Commission will begin sending refunds totaling more than $1.7 million to consumers who were victims of a tech support scam.The scam tricked consumers into buying tech support services by claiming their computers were infected with viruses, malware, or other security breaches. What to do about unwanted calls, emails, and text messages that can be annoying, might be illegal, and are probably scams. Stephanie T. Nguyen, Chief Technology Officer, Competition and Consumer Protection Guidance Documents, According to a complaint filed by theFTC,LifeLock, failed to establish and maintain a comprehensive information security program. AI hype is playing out today across many products, from toys to cars to chatbots and a lot of things in between. An official website of the United States government. Whenever theres an FTC refund program, information is available at ftc.gov/refunds. You can findanswers tocommon questions about refund payments onour FAQ page. Is the FTC vs lifelock refund check legit? Ifyou have any otherquestions, please call the refund administrator at1-800-591-4238. Here's what to know if you expect a refund check. If theres one constant among scammers, its that theyre always coming up with new schemes, like the Google Voice verification scam. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Memo from Chair Lina M. Khan to commission staff and commissioners regarding the vision and priorities for the FTC. This article do apply to all the trendy or great KPI messages Marketing people provide: Marketing claims should be backed and supported by evidence and proof points. Before labeling your product as AI-powered, note also that merely using an AI tool in the development process is not the same as a product having AI in it. In cases where the FTC is required to report payments to the IRS, the agency will include a 1099 tax form with your check. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Learn more about your rights as a consumer and how to spot and avoid scams. Does the product actually use AI at all? The FTC is sending a second round of payments totaling more than $8 million to59,187 peoplewho were lured by the bogus government-grant and money-making schemes promoted by I Works. Most FTC cases do not require you to file a claim. Can I still get my payment? Identifying who is eligible for a refund FTC court orders typically require the company to provide a list of customers, their contact information, and how much each customer paid. Comments and user names are part of the Federal Trade Commissions (FTC) public records system, and user names also are part of the FTCscomputer user recordssystem. If someone contacts you claiming that theyre from the FTC and want you to spend money in order to get a refund, its a scam. In most FTC cases, the money is distributed on a pro rata basis, meaning that each recipient receives an equal percentage of his or her total loss. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect. Here is a list of gift cards that scammers often use with information to help report a scam. In some cases, this lack of efficacy may exist regardless of what other harm the products might cause. Memo from Chair Lina M. Khan to commission staff and commissioners regarding the vision and priorities for the FTC. The site is secure. I would beg this of the FTC, please apply these principals across the board - to both large and small companies. We wont post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity. According to the FTC, ABCmouse failed to make it clear to their customers that their memberships would automatically renew and made it difficult to cancel. If you were a little too jolly with your holiday spending, here are some tips to help you pay down your credit card debt. An official website of the United States government. Overview The Middle Class Tax Refund (MCTR) is a one-time payment to provide relief to Californians. If you receive a PayPal payment, you have 30 days to accept it. It often refers to a variety of technological tools and techniques that use computation to perform tasks such as predictions, decisions, or recommendations. It is your choice whether to submit a comment. To get data about this mailing - like how many checks went to your state or the percentage of checks cashed so far - visit the FTC's interactive dashboard for refund data. When people gave their credit or debit card numbers to pay a smallshipping and handling fee, I Works charged them aone-time fee of up to $129.95, followed by monthly fees of up to $59.95, without their consent. Weve just heard, though, that scammers are trying to get into the act, using fake checks that look like the real one. Use our visualizations to explore scam and fraud trends in your state based on reports from consumers like you. The chart below includes recent FTC cases that resulted in refunds. We wont post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity. The FTC reports how much money was returned to consumers, how much was spent on administrative costs, and how much was sent to the U.S. Treasury when there were leftover funds, each year and for every case, on the agencys, Most FTC cases do not require you to file a claim. Because there is still money in the fund, the FTC is sending a second payment to everyone who cashed their first check. An official website of the United States government. The refund checks in total will amount to more than $644,000. How to protect your personal information and privacy, stay safe online, and help your kids do the same. Are you promising that your AI product does something better than a non-AI product? If you were a little too jolly with your holiday spending, here are some tips to help you pay down your credit card debt. And you cant say youre not responsible because that technology is a black box you cant understand or didnt know how to test. Here are some examples: These scams work because fake checks generally look just like real checks, even to bank employees. Stephanie T. Nguyen, Chief Technology Officer, Competition and Consumer Protection Guidance Documents, You can findanswers tocommon questions about refund payments on. Our mission is protecting consumers and competition by preventing anticompetitive, deceptive, and unfair business practices through law enforcement, advocacy, and education without unduly burdening legitimate business activity. If you get a check, please cash it within 90 days. For generations weve told ourselves stories, using themes of magic and science, about inanimate things that we bring to life or imbue with power beyond human capacity.