News

5 Scams Spread Like a Virus Thieves operate even in a downturn; here are a few tips to avoid fraud when you need money the most.

Ohio Launches Foreclosure Rescue Crackdown Three firms charged with ripping off homeowners.

FTC Says Calling Card Distributor Shortchanged Consumers Tests showed cards had fewer minutes than advertised.

Massachusetts Puts Charity Telemarketers On Hold Consumers not told fundraisers were pros.

Don't Give Out Credit Information In a Job Hunt Financial data is easy target for scammers.

New York Shuts Down Debt Collection Ring Buffalo-based collectors allegedly used illegal tactics.

Unwelcome "Cell" Text Violated Federal Communications Laws Verdict a blow to texting telemarketers.

Massachusetts Halts False Foreclosure "Rescue" Activity Firm claimed to be "non-profit."

Con Artists Prey On The Faithful Growing number of churches victimized.

Liberty Tax Service Barred From Deceptive Ads California takes out preparer for deceptive advertising.

Mississippi Lawyers Falling For Fake Check Scam Hell hath no fury like a scammed attorney.

Expedia Hit With Second Class Action Loss Company faces continuing litigation related to sales tax.

FTC Fines Canadian Company $2 Million for Ad Scheme Company charged with selling listings in fake business, travel directories.

New Jersey Sues Travel Club Operators Attorney General targets companies for not providing discounts or rewards.

Massachusetts Settles Predatory Lending Charges For $10 Million Attorney General secures agreement not to foreclose on homeowners.

California Arrests Two who Stole Millions Through Phony Stock Sale Ez2Win.biz claimed to be an online shopping hub.

Feds Stop Cross-Border Directory Scam Canadian operation targeted small businesses, non-profits in U.S.

Oklahoma Charges BP With Propane Price-Fixing Attorney General claims unfair and deceptive acts.

California Seeks To Register Foreclosure "Consultants" Attorney General wants database to protect against scam artists.

Peak Fitness Blocked From Charging Advance Payments North Carolina Attorney General stops health club as lawsuit looms.

California Sues Charities For Stealing Donations To Public Servants Multiple lawsuits agains telemarketers, donors for deceptive practices and fraud.

New Jersey Sues Over Phony Springsteen Ticket Sales Investigators bust companies for deceptive practices.

California Files 79 Criminal Charges in $200 Million Ponzi Scheme Defendants accused of bilking investors out of retirement savings.

Feds, States Target Charity Scams Bogus telemarketers claim to help police, firefighters, veterans.

Obama Orders Rollback of Preemptions on State Laws Decision hailed as victory for consumer protections.

Texas Attorney General Takes on Text Message Scammers "Smishing" uses fake mobile messages to harvest personal data.

Internet Job Scams On The Rise Jobs sound too good to be true.

FTC Slams Fake Government Loan Rescue Operation Company falsely claimed to be official Web site.

West Virginia Gets Injunction Against Texas Debt Firm Able Debt Settlement blocked from doing business in state.

U.S. Energy Savings Corp. Agrees to Illinois Refunds State cracks down on false promises of big savings.

Judge Orders Halt to Warranty Robocalls Senators spur FTC investigation against automated scammers.

North Carolina Locks Down Phony Locksmith Scam Attorney General targets scammers for false pricing.

New York Cracks Down on Immigration Ripoff Scheme Attorney General charges woman with fraud and deceptive practices.

Feds Probe 'Car Warranty' Robo Calls Senators spur FTC investigation against automated scammers.

California Blocks Costly Property Tax Rip-Off Attorney General takes on reassessment scheme.

Illinois Files "Cramming" Suit Against California Firm Chatsworth company accused of adding unwarranted charges to bills.

Medical Billers Network Settles with Feds Promoters sold deceptive work-at-home scheme.

FTC Considers New Restrictions on 'Negative Option' Marketing Tricky sales tool often turns 'no' into 'yes'.

Iowa Bans Get-Rich-Quick Scheme NYC promoter used Des Moines address to lure victims.

Scammers Targeting Social Security Recipients Seniors should be suspicious of any offer of help with stimulus payment.

California Gets Judgment Against Calling Card Company Attorney General slams company for "hidden and deceptive" fees.

New Jersey Broker Charged In $10 Million Ponzi Scheme Accused of defrauding elderly investors.

New York Subpoenas Debt Settlement Companies Attorney General Cuomo launches nationwide probe of companies' practices.

Magazine Salespeople Take to the Streets Consumers should be wary of door-to-door solicitations.

Indiana Hit By Swine Flu Scams Attorney General targets solicitors selling "swine flu kits".

Illinois Sues Two Debt Settlement Firms SDS West, Debt Relief USA accused of deceptive practices.

Texas Senate Places Limits On Tuition Hikes Increases would be limited to five percent.

California Foreclosure ‘Rescue’ Defendants Rounded Up Feds, state squash scams that preyed on troubled homeowners.

California Certifies Class Action Against Pella Alleges leaking windows, nonexistent service.

More Warnings Against Swine Flu Scams Agencies warn against promotions touting cures or treatments.

FTC Charges Hoodia Claims Are Bogus Suppliers accused of deceptive claims.

Ad Watch: Boniva's Misleading Ad Video commentary gives consumers the facts the commercials leave out.

Feds Charge Five in $70 Million "Dream Home" Scam Defendants accused of complex scheme that bilked homeowners out of thousands.

Massachusetts Approves Settlement in Inflated Drug Price Lawsuit Companies inflated prices without economic justification.

Texas Sues 'GoogleMoneyTree' Promoter Scam uses high-profile name to deceive consumers, state charges.

'Gifting Clubs,' Pyramid Schemes Flourish on Web Scams target cash-strapped consumers looking to earn extra income.

Texas Sues Water4gas.com Devices don't work, tax breaks don't apply, state charges.

Scam Artists Profit from Chinese Drywall Fears Bogus tests, phony remedies being widely promoted, Florida warns.

California Sues Wells Fargo Affiliates for $1.5 Billion Attorney General wants money recovered for defrauded investors.

Missouri Joins Mortgage Scam Smackdown Attorney General promises "zero tolerance" for fraudsters.

Massachusetts Tackles Timeshare Scam Owner collected $1.5 million for resort that was never used.

Beware the 'Property Fraud' Scam Seniors are often targets of this fast-growing scam.

Federal Court Reinstates Credit Card Suit Merchants charged with violating identity theft law.

West Virginia Sues Texas Debt Settlement Company Crackdown on deceptive marketing for debt relief continues.

Toymaker Fined $1.1 Million For Consumer Violations Agency pocketed money and didn't provide promised Spring Break trips.

Texas Targets Hurricane Ike Scammers Attorney General charges roofers with deceptive practices.

No Company Can Erase Bad Debt Be careful of false claims. A credit repair firm can only advise you on ways to improve your credit.

Computer Scam Dampens Easter for African-American Churches 'Free' information kiosks cost churches $50,000 and up.

Alleged Madoff Middleman Charged with Fraud Charities, non-profits lost billions invested with J. Ezra Merkin.

Texas Shuts Down 'Cheap Gas' Scheme 'Magnetic resonance' claims targeted Hispanics.

Internet Crime Hit Highest Levels Ever in 2008 New report documents massive jumps in fraud, complaints.

Congress Moving Toward National Cap On Payday Loans High-interest loans trap low-income consumers in 'spiral of debt'.

West Virginia Sues Online Payday Lenders 'Loan sharks of today'.

Realtors Group Warns Of Rental Scam Victims instructed to send money to 'agent' in UK.

New Jersey Dodge Dealer Settles Fraud Charges Accused pays $50,000 over falsifying loan applications.

California Cancels "Big Bad Student Travel" For Student Ripoffs Agency pocketed money and didn't provide promised Spring Break trips.

Parties Settle Paxil "Split Pill" Class Action Alleged manufacturing defect in $28M settlement.

Lawsuit Alleges Best Buy's "Price-Matching" Ignored, Violated Judge certifies New York consumer lawsuit as class action.

Connecticut Probes Acai Berry Scams Bogus weight loss claims, unauthorized charges at issue.

California Shuts Down Statewide "Home Repair" Scheme Attorney General, state licensing board target inadequate, overpriced jobs.

QVC to Settle Deceptive Claims Charges Dietary supplements, anti-cellulite skin cream at issue.

5 Ways to Beat a Ponzi Scheme There are several ways to recover money, but you'll first need good records to fight a Ponzi scheme.

Texas Takes on Scams Targeting Seniors Lead card and fake grandchild hoaxes investigated.

California Authorities Arrest "Loan Modification" Scam Artists Defendants charged with bilking homeowners in trouble.

Are Identity Theft Services Worth the Cost? "Protection" often does little that consumers can't do for selves.

Pennsylvania Settles Miley Cyrus Fan Site Suit Fan club members were unable to buy tickets early.

Feds Charge Seven Credit Repair Companies with Deceiving Consumers Companies claimed they could remove negative information from credit reports.

New Jersey Calls 'Time Out' On Prepaid Calling Cards Seven companies told that every second counts.

California Cracks Down on Internet Get-Rich-Quick Scams Sites promised consumers they could earn big bucks quickly.

American Seniors Alliance Settles Texas Charges Packaged and sold seniors' confidential information to telemarketers, solicitors.

Phishing Scams Hop on Banking Turmoil Phishing scams have increased recently, piggybanking on the financial crisis on Wall Street.

FTC Settles With Atlanta Company Over Untimely Rebates Telecom accused of deceptive marketing.

Scammers Use Forged Bank Letterhead to Con California Consumers Attorney General warns homeowners to not be fooled.

Identity Thieves Prowling for Job Seekers Fake job ads up 345% as recession creates opportunities for scam artists.

FBI Warns of Online Car-Sales Scam Scam artists pose as military personnel about to be deployed.

Financial Fraud Hits 7.5 Percent Of Americans In 2008 Data breaches lead to big changes in buying practices.

Government Giving Away Money? Don't Count On It Ads promising personal grants are scams ... at best.

FTC Warns Consumers About "Stimulus" Scams Don't fall for ads promising government payouts.

Illinois Charges Car Dealers' Stimulus Ads Are Scams Ads claim consumers won't pay sales tax on auto purchases.

Is a Credit Card Application by Phone Valid? Cardholder asks if he is liable for charges if the application was taken over the phone and never signed.

NY to AT&T: Please Deposit $2.63 Million State charges rebate offers were "onerous and condition-laden."

Johnson & Johnson Fined $4.47 Million For Deceptive Marketing Pharmaceutical subsidiary allegedly made false statements about drugs.

Virginia Considers Measure Aimed At Payday Lenders Lawmakers vote to close loophole enabling high-cost loans.

Massachusetts Settles Charges Against Chubb Company was accused of $3 million deal to garner favorable business.

West Virginia Targets Debt Relief Scammers Texas company to pay nearly $36,000 for false charges.

Retirees Targeted in Texas Investment Scam "Life Settlement" scheme promised guaranteed returns.

Text Phishing Scam Making the Rounds Again Scam artists try to capture ATM, credit card numbers.

Property Tax Reduction Scams Spreading, California Warns Scam targets homeowners with declining property values.

Florida Sues Gas Redemption Coupon Promoters Freebeegas, Freegasredemption coupons not honored, suit charges.

North Carolina Parks Auto Warranty Scam Telemarketers target seniors with bogus expiration claims.

Don't Fall For Valentine's e-Card Scam It loves you not.

FTC Busts 'Free' Sample Scams Weight-loss supplement makers settle deceptive marketing claims.

NY Attorney General Seeks Jail Time for Accused Diploma Peddler Long Island man accused of selling fake study courses.

California, Feds Sue Over Generic Testosterone Companies accused of monopolizing supplement sales.

Auto Warranty Solicitations Plague Consumers Telemarketing calls may be bogus, BBB warns.

Job Hunters: Beware of Rebate-Processing Scams Tough economy raises interest in work-at-home jobs.

Former Congressman Named In Investment Scam Investors in Bidbay.com bilked, prosecutors charge.

Bank Of America Sued In Internet Ponzi Scheme Hundreds of millions of dollars collected in gigantic swindle.

Beware Of Super Bowl Scams Annual tradition includes scams aimed at excited fans.

Avoiding Work-at-Home Scams As the economy cools, work-at-home scams are heating up.

Video: Gas-Saving Devices a Scam? The EPA has tested more than 100 gas-saving devices, and found none that did what they promised.

West Virginia Settles with Arizona Telemarketer Company claimed overpriced goods would help handicapped veterans.

Tax Scam Deal Really Is Too Good To Be True Most companies are selling an offer in compromise and the IRS will rarely approve them.

Top 10 Scams Of 2008 Financial meltdown creates opportunities for scammers.

What To Do About Unauthorized Charges It's a common problem and can be very frustrating.

Ohio Settles with Companies over Student Credit Cards Attorney General accused firms of deceptive advertising.

Feds Quash 'Scareware' Scheme Bogus 'scans' tricked more than 1 million consumers.

"Mystery Shopper" Scammers Settle with FTC Defendants accused of luring job seekers with fake offers.

FTC Stiffens Requirements For Telemarketers New rules give consumers more power to opt out.

Class-Action Scam Threatens Consumers Supposed lawsuit settlement is bogus.

FBI Warns Holiday Shoppers to Avoid Online Crooks Keep yourself safe from scammers while hunting bargains.

FBI Warns Holiday Shoppers to Avoid Online Crooks Keep yourself safe from scammers while hunting bargains.

Grant Scheme Targets Iowa College Students Attorney General goes after counterfeit check scammers.

Grant Scheme Targets Iowa College Students Attorney General goes after counterfeit check scammers.

Travel Operator Accused Of Selling Phony Trips Company sold $900,000 worth of trips never booked.

Texas Sues Online Retailers Companies hoodwinked customers into expensive new deals.