In the wake of the recent July 4th flooding tragedy in Texas, scammers and criminals are reaching out to victims to take advantage of their vulnerability. Unfortunately, this is not the first time criminals have used natural...more
On May 21, 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) finalized its order with GoDaddy over allegations that GoDaddy “failed to implement standard data security tools and practices to protect customers’ websites and data.” In a...more
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a press release this week announcing that it settled with Workado over alleged misrepresentations of its ability to detect whether content was generated by artificial intelligence...more
Unfortunately, identity theft continues to increase, and according to Identitytheft.org, the statistics are going to get worse in 2025. Some of the statistics cited by Identitytheft.org include:
1.4 million complaints of...more
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced on April 22, 2025, that it has approved a settlement entered into a Final Order with accessiBe, which claimed its plug-in product, accessWidget, “can make any website compliant...more
I have been getting a lot of texts that are clearly scams, and those around me have confirmed an increase in spammy texts.
According to an FTC Consumer Protection Data Spotlight, individuals lost over $470 million...more
Sometimes, deals are too good to be true. That was the case for Cleo AI, an online cash advance company that promised consumers fast, up-front cash payments. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Cleo AI offered...more
In the ongoing saga of the 23andMe bankruptcy, Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson recently sent a letter to the Trustee overseeing the 23andMe bankruptcy proceeding stating, “As Chairman of the Federal Trade...more
With the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) usage over the last two years, companies are developing AI tools at an astonishing rate. When pitching their AI tools, these companies claim that their products can do...more
We have repeatedly warned our readers about malicious QR codes and their use by threat actors.
Threat actors are now using these codes to disguise packages as gifts....more
1/30/2025
/ Cyber Threats ,
Cybersecurity ,
Data Breach ,
Data Privacy ,
Data Protection ,
Data Security ,
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ,
Fraud ,
Identity Theft ,
Personal Data ,
Personal Information ,
Scams
In its continued concentration on the collection and use of consumers’ precise geolocation, on January 16, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) settled with General Motors (GM) over allegations that it collected, used,...more
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a proposed settlement order against GoDaddy alleging that it “has failed to implement reasonable and appropriate security measures to protect and monitor its website-hosting...more
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has been on a mission to get the message across that it is serious about companies collecting, using, and selling sensitive location data of consumers and that it is closely watching these...more
I have commented before that I do not enable location-based services unless I use an app that requires it, like a ride-sharing app or directions. One of the reasons is to prevent data brokers and others from using precise...more
The Federal Trade Commission provides consumers with tips and advice, including online privacy. Its Scam Alerts are helpful and timely....more
I admit that when I am looking online for restaurants, consumer products, and places to stay, I generally look at reviews and they influence my decision. However, there have been numerous reports that reviews are often fake...more
Fraudsters are using the hype of new technology, specifically artificial intelligence (AI), to commit fraud on consumers. The same bad guys are just spinning buzzwords to develop new schemes to take advantage of consumers....more
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has initiated a new “law enforcement sweep called Operation AI Comply.” The operation shows that the FTC is serious about protecting consumers from companies that use artificial intelligence...more
It is sometimes hard to identify a scam, especially when it involves payment with a check. We are all wary of promises to pay electronically and to provide our bank account numbers for direct access to our bank account (well,...more
July is Military Consumer Month. This month, we celebrate democracy and the past service of our veterans and those presently in service for protecting us and our democracy. Thank you so very much....more
CYBERSECURITY -
Health Care Entities Continue to Get Pummeled by Cybersecurity Attacks -
The newest health care entity to be hit by a cyberattack is Ascension Health, which operates 140 hospitals and 40 assisted living...more
5/13/2024
/ Cyber Attacks ,
Cybersecurity ,
Data Breach ,
Data Privacy ,
Data Protection ,
Data Security ,
Enforcement Actions ,
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ,
Health Care Providers ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Regulatory Reform ,
Snapchat ,
Surveillance ,
TikTok
CYBERSECURITY -
CISA + Partners Issue Alert for Protection of Water Systems, Dams, Energy + Food + Ag -
In response to the growing threat by pro-Russia hacktivists, on May 1, 2023, CISA and other national agency...more
5/3/2024
/ Artificial Intelligence ,
Consumer Privacy Rights ,
Cybersecurity ,
Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) ,
Data Privacy ,
Data Protection ,
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ,
FCC ,
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ,
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) ,
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) ,
Location Data ,
OCR
On May 1, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a settlement with InMarket Media (InMarket), a digital marketing and data aggregator, to resolve the FTC’s allegations that InMarket “unlawfully collected and used...more
CYBERSECURITY
HC3 Warns Health Sector About Social Engineering Attacks Against IT Help Desks -
The Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center (HC3) recently issued an Alert warning that “threat actors employing...more
4/12/2024
/ California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) ,
Consumer Privacy Rights ,
Cyber Attacks ,
Cyber Threats ,
Cybersecurity ,
Data Privacy ,
Data Protection ,
Data Security ,
Facial Recognition Technology ,
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ,
Information Technology ,
Risk Management
This week is National Consumer Protection Week. Based on the recent statistics published by the FTC on online, digital, and voice scamming, consumers sorely need more help protecting themselves from scams....more