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Spot the latest COVID scams, get compliance guidance, and stay up to date on FTC actions during the pandemic. A total of 17,367 checks worth more than a total of $3.7 million are being sent to borrowers from an FTC settlement with Avant LLC. Make smart shopping decisions, know your rights, and solve problems when you shop or donate to charity. How can a TEMPORARY PAUSE be put on a technology that is being unleashed faster than high-tech firms can safely deploy / control it? Lina M. Khan was sworn in as Chair of the Federal Trade Commission on June 15, 2021. But the check was fake, so you'll have to pay your bank the amount of the check, plus you'll lose any money you wired. A monster rises in a lab. 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 FTC and its law enforcement partners announced actions against several income scams that conned people out of hundreds of millions of dollars by falsely telling them they could make a lot of money. The most prevarication I have witnessed in the last five years (three in a DOD uniform and two in the AI-industry) have come from very large, well-established, well-connected companies. 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. The most common banking scams include: Overpayment scams - Someone sends you a check, instructs you to deposit it in your bank account, and wire part of the money back to them. The .gov means its official. huge damage to the human race. If so, information about how to file a claim will be available at, If you believe you have been affected by an FTC case that is not listed at, For more information about the FTCs refund process, see, Data on FTC refunds are available in interactive online dashboards. How much money from FTC lawsuits goes to FTC attorneys. The case will be listed at ftc.gov/refunds, along with the name of the company issuing payments and a phone number for questions. 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. The FTC first sent payments in this matter in May 2020, whichresulted in more than $8.4 million in refunds. . Is it any wonder that we can be primed to accept what marketers say about new tools and devices that supposedly reflect the abilities and benefits of artificial intelligence (AI)? The FTC is sending out 541,247 checks averaging $63.35 per check. The FTC and its law enforcement partners announced actions against several income scams that conned people out of hundreds of millions of dollars by falsely telling them they could make a lot of money. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal government site. When the funds are made available in your account, the bank may say the check has cleared, but that doesnt mean its a good check. Are you promising that your AI product does something better than a non-AI product? The FTC is sending refund checks to consumers who lost money as a result of Avant's lending practices. Weve just heard, though, that scammers are trying to get into the act, using fake checks that look like the real one. Marketers should know that for FTC enforcement purposes false or unsubstantiated claims about a products efficacy are our bread and butter. A computer takes over a spaceship. 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. I didnt cash my check right away. 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. Stephanie T. Nguyen, Chief Technology Officer, Competition and Consumer Protection Guidance Documents, You can findanswers tocommon questions about refund payments on. If we know of a company that is lying to the public about its AI capability, is there a way to report that? Looking for legal documents or records? The FTC is sending PayPal payments totaling $4.7 million to 338,189LifeLock customers who were membersbetween 2012 and 2014. Bigotry, over aggressiveness, conflicting ideologies, partisan beliefs, history revisionism and questioning fact were used as input. Heres what to know about fake check scams. Please call for details. If you think you can get away with baseless claims that your product is AI-enabled, think again. A.I accelerate till the camer tell it the cars are all stopped. We use this information to send refunds. So, many of us might be looking for alternatives, like buying gifts locally or maybe from online marketplaces or sites you find through your social media accounts, online ads, or by searching Youve opened all your gifts, and now its time to open those post-holiday credit card statements. 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. By law, banks have to make deposited funds available quickly, usually within two days. In addition, the agency is resending checks to more than 33,000 people who didnt previously cash their check. The FTC enforces consumer protection laws to stop illegal business practices and get refunds to people who lost money. Has someone asked you for something in exchange for your AMG refund check? We enforce federal competition and consumer protection laws that prevent anticompetitive, deceptive, and unfair business practices. Find the resources you need to understand how consumer protection law impacts your business. If you get a check, please cash it within 90days. We need to be able to fully account for, and show / trace the logic behind (ie: the source used) for: morality, decency, ethics, and the general good. If so, information about how to file a claim will be available at www.ftc.gov/refunds. It can only see both side and in front not a car on the side facing the street that going to pull out. I went through your questions and our process conforms to them, we say that AI isn't magic, it is math. If you get a refund from the FTC, just deposit or cash the check within 60 days. An official website of the United States government. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. Know that you only need to provide your name and email address to create a PayPal account. In reality, the FTC says, consumers paid a fee only to . We wont post off-topic comments, repeated identical comments, or comments that include sales pitches or promotions. We may routinely use these records as described in the FTCsPrivacy Act system notices. By that time, the scammer has any money you sent, and you're stuck paying the money back to the bank. The FTC does not require you to forfeit any rights you may have under federal or state law to get your refund. Investors appetite for high-tech driven frenzy should not override balanced caution and common sense. For more information on how the FTC handles information that we collect, please read our privacy policy. . Have you heard about it? If you believe you have been affected by an FTC case that is not listed at ftc.gov/refunds, you can file a complaint at reportfraud.ftc.gov. 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 FTC is sending almost $25 million in refund checks to over 240,000 people who lost money as a result of a sweepstakes scam run by Next-Gen Inc. Next-Gen allegedly promised cash prizes to customers to participate in sweepstakes or "game of skill" contests. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal government site. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. In an investigation, FTC technologists and others can look under the hood and analyze other materials to see if whats inside matches up with your claims. To find out which recent FTC cases led to refunds, and who to contact with questions, check out, . If you do not have a PayPal account, and would prefer to get a check, please call1-866-898-5106. Because the FTC recovered additional money from the defendants, the agency is sending a second round of payments. Have you heard about it? If you'd like to know more about how the refund program works, visit this page about the FTC's process. To file a detailed report about a scam, go to. To find out which recent FTC cases led to refunds, and who to contact with questions, check out ftc.gov/refunds. The refund checks are from a settlement with the operators of Mobile Money Code, which also used the names eMobile Code, Auto Mobile Code, Easy Cash Code, Full Money System, and Secret Money System. The site is secure. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced that it is returning more than $172 million to consumers who . If you do, you must create a user name, or we will not post your comment. The FTCs latest refund announcement involves checks totaling over $11 million going out to more than 11,000 people who paid E.M. Systems & Services, a company that falsely promised consumers with credit card debt that they would reduce their interest rates and save them thousands of dollars. Spot the latest COVID scams, get compliance guidance, and stay up to date on FTC actions during the pandemic. If you were a little too jolly with your holiday spending, here are some tips to help you pay down your credit card debt. Youve probably heard: this holiday season, it might be harder to find the gifts youre looking for. Make smart shopping decisions, know your rights, and solve problems when you shop or donate to charity. Search the Legal Library instead. Fed-up with "Fluffy Marketing"! Lina M. Khan was sworn in as Chair of the Federal Trade Commission on June 15, 2021. What to know when you're looking for a job or more education, or considering a money-making opportunity or investment. The .gov means its official. How long will it take to get a new check? More than. How to protect your personal information and privacy, stay safe online, and help your kids do the same. 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. We wont post off-topic comments, repeated identical comments, or comments that include sales pitches or promotions. Like any product, you have to do your research. If you lost money in a scam, you might get a call or email from someone claiming that they can help you recover your funds if you pay them, hand over personal information, or allow them remote access to your computer. The FTC and its law enforcement partners announced actions against several income scams that conned people out of hundreds of millions of dollars by falsely telling them they could make a lot of money. The .gov means its official. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. Checks can be verified online at www.ftc.gov/AMG. These are the same companies that only adopted AI-enabled technology once it became a buzzword and a lot of what I have seen wouldn't pass your four question metric above. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. We enforce federal competition and consumer protection laws that prevent anticompetitive, deceptive, and unfair business practices. The agency is sending refund checks to two million people over the next two weeks. . The site is secure. Weve. We use this information to send refunds. to remember what Forbidden Planet / Lost in Spaces Robby the Robot said . Breathless media accounts dont help, but it starts with the companies that do the developing and selling. Data on FTC refunds are available in interactive online dashboards. You can findanswers tocommon questions about refund payments onour FAQ page. We wont post off-topic comments, repeated identical comments, or comments that include sales pitches or promotions. 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. In one version of the scam, you get a call and a recorded message that says its Amazon. How do I file a claim? Whenever theres an FTC refund program, information is available at. The FTC may search for reports related to the defendants and use the contact information in those complaints to create a list of potential refund recipients. The site is secure. . Find legal resources and guidance to understand your business responsibilities and comply with the law. What to know when you're looking for a job or more education, or considering a money-making opportunity or investment. Are you exaggerating what your AI product can do? They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission. 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. In a fake check scam, a person you dont know asks you to deposit a check. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. Please call for details. The .gov means its official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Stephanie T. Nguyen, Chief Technology Officer, Michael Atleson, Attorney, FTC Division of Advertising Practices. We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. Except for these administrative costs, the FTC tries to return all the money collected for refunds to injured consumers. What to do about unwanted calls, emails, and text messages that can be annoying, might be illegal, and are probably scams. Before making AI widely available . They're also useful for transactions with individuals you haven't done business with before. You can find the phone numbers for FTC refund programs at ftc.gov/refunds. You need to know about the reasonably foreseeable risks and impact of your AI product before putting it on the market. What to do about unwanted calls, emails, and text messages that can be annoying, might be illegal, and are probably scams. It often refers to a variety of technological tools and techniques that use computation to perform tasks such as predictions, decisions, or recommendations. According to a complaint filed by theFTC,LifeLockfailed to establish and maintain a comprehensive information security programto 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. The company added these charges without the customers permission and did not investigate when customers complained about them. How to protect your personal information and privacy, stay safe online, and help your kids do the same. You can findanswers tocommon questions about refund payments onour FAQ page. 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 Refunds Dashboard. Heres what you need to know about these calls. Not that all human knowledge sucked in by AI is garbage . Its usually for more than they owe you, and its sometimes for several thousand dollars. DANGER, WILL ROBINSON, DANGER! Anyone who does is scamming you. Thank you to have the clarity and courage to say this, and to say it so well. Use our visualizations to explore scam and fraud trends in your state based on reports from consumers like you. Completely agree that movies and media have caused an unfortunate and exaggerated view of AI. The FTC is sending checks to people who lost money to a cramming scheme that added charges to their home phone bills without their permission. . If you have any other questions, please call the refund administrator at1-866-898-5106. To avoid these scammers: For more information, please read the FTCs article about phishing scams. Have you heard about it? They tell you to send some of the money back to them or to another person. Marketers should know that for FTC enforcement purposes false or unsubstantiated claims about a products efficacy are our bread and butter. So, many of us might be looking for alternatives, like buying gifts locally or maybe from online marketplaces or sites you find through your social media accounts, online ads, or by searching Youve opened all your gifts, and now its time to open those post-holiday credit card statements. 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 . We may also use the agencys Consumer Sentinel Network database to find eligible recipients. It is your choice whether to submit a comment. 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. If theres one constant among scammers, its that theyre always coming up with new schemes, like the Google Voice verification scam. . Recipients should deposit or cash checks within 60 days. to payment recipients prior to payment. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect. If you have questions about your AMG refund check, go to the FTC's AMG refunds page, or call the refunds administrator at 1-866-730-8174. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. If you think you can get away with baseless claims that your product is AI-enabled, think again. Breathless media accounts dont help, but it starts with the companies that do the developing and selling. The FTC first sent checks in September 2021, which resulted in more than $2.9 million in refunds. Watch for. An official website of the United States government. Find legal resources and guidance to understand your business responsibilities and comply with the law. Learn about getting and using credit, borrowing money, and managing debt. 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. Start small, then add on. And in the, , over $9.7 million went back to more than 200,000 people, mostly through. . Why aren't you going after "Full Self Driving" and "Auto Pilot" used by Tesla? FTC attorneys and other staff are paid a salary from the agencys annual budget. Spot the latest COVID scams, get compliance guidance, and stay up to date on FTC actions during the pandemic. We work to advance government policies that protect consumers and promote competition. The FTC first sent checks in September 2021, which resulted in more than $2.9 million in refunds. If I accept this payment, can I still take legal action? Or even claiming it can do something beyond the current capability of any AI or automated technology? 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. . Here are some examples: These scams work because fake checks generally look just like real checks, even to bank employees. If you get a refund from the FTC, just deposit or cash the check within 60 days. If the FTC contacts you about a refund, you'll find information about the case at ftc.gov/refunds .You can be sure the phone numbers and links on this page are legit. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Your best bet: Dont rely on money from a check unless you know and trust the person youre dealing with. Heres how it works Acting Associate Director, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC. I believe they want to make distinctions on the danger level of various deployment aims and scope of the AI implementations. Youve probably heard: this holiday season, it might be harder to find the gifts youre looking for. Find legal resources and guidance to understand your business responsibilities and comply with the law. AI as just a magnification / catalyst to human miss behavior. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. Learn more about your rights as a consumer and how to spot and avoid scams. Why didnt I get all my money back? We work to advance government policies that protect consumers and promote competition. If youd like to know more about how the refund program works, visit this page about the FTCs process. In these cases, we send an email from the FTC ([email protected]) to payment recipients prior to payment. For more information on how the FTC handles information that we collect, please read our privacy policy. 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. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal government site. But one thing is for sure: its a marketing term. None of the money collected in FTC lawsuits goes to the FTC or its attorneys. Memo from Chair Lina M. Khan to commission staff and commissioners regarding the vision and priorities for the FTC. Its safer to go to the website by typing the URL into your browser: Never pay money or give sensitive financial information to get a refund payment from the FTC. Lina M. Khan was sworn in as Chair of the Federal Trade Commission on June 15, 2021. Can I still get my payment? The FTC sends money that cannot be distributed to consumers to the U.S. Treasury. This message is not new. Consumers who receive checks should cash them by August 17, 2022. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. Estimate your payment amount Its an ambiguous term with many possible definitions. You can find and verify the phone numbers for FTC refund programs at ftc.gov/refunds. Have you heard about it? I'd expect the SEC, FBI, CIA, and especially the FTC to have the most advanced tools to vet and locate rule breakers. FTC court orders typically require the defendants to provide a list of customers, along with their contact information, and how much they paid. Start small, then add on. Please tell the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. Lina M. Khan was sworn in as Chair of the Federal Trade Commission on June 15, 2021. They are often printed with the names and addresses of legitimate financial institutions. Next-Gen Refund Payments. If you get a check, please cash it within 90 days. Looking for alternatives for your holiday shopping? The FTC provides answers to common questions about refund payments onour FAQ page. The site is secure. If we do not have all the information we need to send refunds, we may request that consumers file a claim. Fake checks can take weeks to be discovered and untangled. . The FTC and its law enforcement partners announced actions against several income scams that conned people out of hundreds of millions of dollars by falsely telling them they could make a lot of money. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal government site. In addition, the agency is resending checks to more than 33,000 people who didn't previously cash their check. Heres what you need to know about these calls. We enforce federal competition and consumer protection laws that prevent anticompetitive, deceptive, and unfair business practices. Looking for alternatives for your holiday shopping? 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. Report that to us at, doTERRA distributors charged with making unfounded COVID-19 cure claims, Tenant screening practices: the FTC wants to learn more. Learn more about your rights as a consumer and how to spot and avoid scams. We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. Recipients who have questions about their refund should contact the refund administrator, Rust Consulting, at 866-730-8147 or by email at [email protected]. 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