Tag: consumer protection
46 articles
Amazon Fined $2.25M for Withholding Fraud Evidence
Amazon has been fined $2.25 million for allegedly blocking identity-theft victims from accessing records of fraudulent transactions, violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The company reportedly told some consumers that they couldn't access the requested records, adding to the frustration of those trying to recover from scams.
Microsoft Extends Free Windows 10 Security Updates to 2027
Microsoft just gave you an extra year of protection: the free Windows 10 Extended Security Updates program for personal devices now runs through October 12, 2027. That's a welcome extension of security updates for your Windows 10 device, giving you more time to consider your next move.
California Sues 23andMe Over Data Breach Security Failings
California's top lawyer, Rob Bonta, is taking on 23andMe for allegedly failing to protect millions of people's sensitive genetic data and downplaying the severity of a massive 2023 data breach. The lawsuit claims the company broke California law by not keeping personal info safe and lying to customers about the breach.
FTC Bars Kochava from Selling Location Data Without Consent
The Federal Trade Commission is taking a stand against Kochava, proposing an order that would require the company to obtain explicit consent from Americans before selling their precise location data, and only use it for services they directly requested. This move aims to put an end to the sale of sensitive location information without users' knowledge or consent.
FTC Warns of $2.1 Billion Losses to Social Media Scams
Scammers are making a killing on social media, with nearly one-third of reported losses - a whopping $2.1 billion - originating from these platforms in 2025, according to the FTC. That's an eightfold increase in just five years, making social media a primary target for scammers to swindle unsuspecting consumers.
House Republicans Unveil National Data Privacy Bill
House Republicans have introduced the Secure Data Act, a groundbreaking national data privacy bill that puts Americans in control of their personal data and holds companies accountable for keeping it safe. The proposed law would give consumers the power to opt out of data collection for targeted ads, third-party sales, and automated decision-making.
Black Friday Exclusive: 3 Dangerous Scams to Avoid
Black Friday scams are getting smarter—learn the three dangerous tricks scammers use and the simple steps you can take to protect your wallet and personal info.
NCA Campaign Exclusive: Critical Crypto Scam Warning
Dont miss this NCA-exclusive crypto scam warning — learn the latest tricks scammers use and quick, practical steps to keep your crypto safe.
Sole trader: Exclusive probe finds nearly 1M illegal spam
Nearly one million unsolicited SMS messages and 19,138 complaints prompted the ICO to fine a sole trader £200,000. Its a wake-up call that mass texting can exploit vulnerable people and turn a marketing tactic into unlawful harassment.
WestJet data breach: Exclusive Risk to Millions
WestJet revealed a criminal intrusion that exposed personal and loyalty data for about 1.2 million customers, raising urgent questions about airline cybersecurity and what it means for your privacy. Read on to learn what happened, why stolen travel data is so dangerous, and simple steps you can take right now to protect yourself.
cybersecurity incident: Shocking Risky Breach Hits Asahi
A cyberattack forced Asahi to shut down distribution systems, leaving bars and shops scrambling for stock and showing how even your favorite beer can be derailed by invisible digital threats. The outage is a wake-up call about fragile supply chains and the tough tradeoffs between rapid containment and keeping business flowing.
third-party breaches: Stunning, Risky Wake-Up Call
Stellantis warns a third‑party supplier may have exposed customer personal data, leaving millions wondering what may actually means. Customers deserve clear answers about who was affected, what was leaked, and what protections will be offered.
smart laundry machines: Shocking Risky Failure Exposes
A jailbreak of smart laundry machines left 1,200 students hauling their laundry off campus after payments and cycles failed while management refused to cover alternate costs. The fiasco mixes everyday inconvenience with cybersecurity and contract headaches — and shows why campuses must demand better security and backup plans.
Active Directory: Risky Stunning Defaults Endanger Hospitals
When attackers used Kerberoasting to cripple Ascension, Senator Wyden warned Microsoft’s defaults may be putting patients at risk — sparking an FTC probe and a wider debate over vendor responsibility versus hospital readiness. It’s a wake-up call: better identity hygiene and safer out‑of‑the‑box settings could be the difference between uninterrupted care and real harm.
unauthorized access incident: Stunning Risk — Act Now
Ugh — Plex warned of another password exposure. If you got notified, reset your password, enable MFA, and review connected devices right away.
fake IDs: Stunning Risky $9 Fraud Threat
Imagine buying a fake ID for less than a meal: investigators just shut down VerifTools, a sprawling $6.4M underground marketplace selling $9 forged IDs and KYC‑bypass tools, a wake-up call about how cheap, high-impact identity fraud has become.
Orange Belgium customers: Stunning Risky Breach 850K
A massive breach at Orange Belgium has put about 850,000 customers’ personal details into criminal hands, raising risks like SIM‑swap, targeted phishing and identity theft. If you might be affected, check what was exposed, lock down your carrier account with app‑based 2FA or a unique PIN, and be extra skeptical of unsolicited calls, texts or emails.
payment fraud: Stunning Surge Puts Consumers at Risk
New York’s attorney general says Zelle’s bank owners and operator turned a handy, instant-pay system into a playground for scammers by prioritizing speed over safety, and now a lawsuit could force big banks to clean up their act. The case could redraw who’s liable for losses on real-time payment rails and push a rethink of convenience versus consumer protection.
APP fraud: Urgent National Risk — Must-Have Defenses
Think your bank’s “payment authorized” message guarantees safety? RUSI warns that APP fraud—exploiting gaps at smaller payment firms and mule networks—has evolved from a consumer nuisance into a national security risk, quietly funding organised crime, cyberattacks and covert influence operations.
fake-lawyer schemes: Risky Scam Alert, Must-Have Tips
Think twice before paying a stranger promising to recover your crypto—scammers are posing as lawyers with fake credentials and forged documents to squeeze victims a second time. Verify any attorney independently, avoid crypto or untraceable payments, and report suspicious offers to the FBI’s IC3.
cyber incident: Exclusive Risky Outage Exposes PA Flaws
A cyber incident knocked Pennsylvania’s Attorney General office offline for a second day, leaving residents, victims and partner agencies scrambling for answers as websites, phones and email went dark. With external cybersecurity teams on the case but few details released, the outage raises urgent questions about preparedness, potential data exposure, and how quickly critical services can be restored.
cyber-secure lock upgrade: Must-Have Best Defense
Hyundai’s new £49 “cyber‑secure” lock upgrade offers a cheap fix for keyless‑relay thefts—but it also sparks a bigger question: should drivers pay for security retrofits or should manufacturers cover fixes to vulnerabilities they sold with?
Romance fraud scheme: Stunning $100M Risky Scam
When online romance turns into a $100 million criminal scheme, four Ghana-based suspects have been extradited to the U.S., spotlighting how emotional manipulation fuels sprawling scams and why stronger international cooperation is urgently needed.
Legal metrology challenges: Exclusive Best Solutions
When invisible sensors, apps, and algorithms start measuring what we buy, use, and trust, old rules for accuracy struggle to keep up — and consumers can lose out. Discover practical, tech-savvy solutions that balance transparency, security, and innovation so digital measurements remain fair, verifiable, and dependable.