National Interest
Ban On 'Junk Fees' For Tickets, Vacation Rentals Officially Begins: Here's What To Know Ban On 'Junk Fees' For Tickets, Vacation Rentals Officially Begins: Here's What To Know Ban On 'Junk Fees' For Tickets, Vacation Rentals Officially Begins: Here's What To Know
Ban On 'Junk Fees' For Tickets, Vacation Rentals Officially Begins: Here's What To Know Hotels, vacation rentals, and ticket sellers must now show their full costs up front under a new federal rule  aiming to end "junk fees." The Federal Trade Commission's rule banning "junk fees" officially went into effect on Monday, May 12. The FTC passed the rule in December 2024 to prevent businesses from inflating prices by hiding mandatory costs through vague or hidden charges like "resort," "convenience," or "service" fees. Companies selling concert tickets, hotel stays, and short-term vacation rentals now must display all required fees in advertised prices online, in p…

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by Chris Spiker
White Plains, NY
Breaking News
8 NY Nissan Dealerships Must Pay $3.2M For Overcharging Customers: NY AG 8 NY Nissan Dealerships Must Pay $3.2M For Overcharging Customers: NY AG 8 NY Nissan Dealerships Must Pay $3.2M For Overcharging Customers: NY AG
8 NY Nissan Dealerships Must Pay $3.2M For Overcharging Customers: NY AG Eight Nissan dealerships across New York—including ones in Rockland County and on Long Island—have been ordered to pay more than $3.2 million for illegally overcharging over 1,700 customers who were trying to buy out their leased vehicles, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced.  According to James, who unveiled the agreement on Tuesday, May 6, the dealerships added bogus fees or inflated prices to final invoices, forcing customers to pay more than the amount promised in their original lease agreements.  The affected dealerships include:  Action Nissan in Ro…

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by Ben Crnic
National Interest
$18.5M In Checks Going To Deceptive Sweepstakes Victims, FTC Says: See If You Qualify $18.5M In Checks Going To Deceptive Sweepstakes Victims, FTC Says: See If You Qualify $18.5M In Checks Going To Deceptive Sweepstakes Victims, FTC Says: See If You Qualify
$18.5M In Checks Going To Deceptive Sweepstakes Victims, FTC Says: See If You Qualify More than 280,000 people will receive checks after they were targeted by misleading sweepstakes emails, federal regulators said. According to the Federal Trade Commission, more than $18.5 million in refunds will be sent to 281,724 consumers, the agency said in a news release on Wednesday, April 30. The FTC found that Publishers Clearing House misled shoppers through deceptive online marketing and emails. An FTC investigation found that PCH tricked predominantly older and lower-income people into buying products. The shoppers were given the false impression that making the pur…

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by Chris Spiker
National Interest
Recall Issued For Popular Apple Juice Brand Sold In 28 States, Including PA Recall Issued For Popular Apple Juice Brand Sold In 28 States, Including PA Recall Issued For Popular Apple Juice Brand Sold In 28 States, Including PA
Recall Issued For Popular Apple Juice Brand Sold In 28 States, Including PA A voluntary recall has been issued for certain batches of a widely sold apple juice brand, according to an alert from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The juice was distributed across 28 states and comes in clear, round glass bottles with white metal screw-top lids packaged in four 10-ounce bottles per pack (six packs per case).  The recall was initiated due to concerns that were not detailed in the FDA’s official notice, but the agency classified the situation as a Class II recall, meaning use of the product could cause temporary or medically reversible health consequences. …

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by Joe Lombardi
Annville-Cleona, PA
On Your Side
Cleona Big Lots Among 130+ Stores Reopening: See The Full List Cleona Big Lots Among 130+ Stores Reopening: See The Full List Cleona Big Lots Among 130+ Stores Reopening: See The Full List
Cleona Big Lots Among 130+ Stores Reopening: See The Full List Big Lots is ramping up its comeback plans under new ownership by opening more than 130 stores, including nearly two dozen in Pennsylvania and Virginia. The discount chain plans to reopen 132 stores across 14 states in May, Variety Wholesalers announced in a news release on Monday, April 28. Pennsylvania (13 stores) and Virginia (10 stores) are among the top states for returning locations. Big Lots will reopen 54 stores on Thursday, May 1, and 78 locations on Thursday, May 15. "The customer response to the newly expanded assortment of fresh inventory and great deals has been overw…

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by Chris Spiker
Albany, NY
Breaking News
NY Delivery Drivers Can Get Their Share Of $4M Tip Settlement: Here's Who Qualifies NY Delivery Drivers Can Get Their Share Of $4M Tip Settlement: Here's Who Qualifies NY Delivery Drivers Can Get Their Share Of $4M Tip Settlement: Here's Who Qualifies
NY Delivery Drivers Can Get Their Share Of $4M Tip Settlement: Here's Who Qualifies Delivery workers across New York who were shortchanged by the now-defunct alcohol delivery service Drizly can now file to receive their share of a $4 million settlement. The claims portal officially opened this week and eligible workers have until Saturday, July 15, to file, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced Wednesday, April 23. The payout stems from a December 2024 settlement in which James’ office found that Drizly—acquired by Uber and shuttered in 2024—misled customers into thinking tips left during checkout were going directly to delivery workers. In reality, those fund…

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by Michael Mashburn
Hartford, CT
On Your Side
Airbnb Just Made Booking Less Annoying: Here's What Changed Airbnb Just Made Booking Less Annoying: Here's What Changed Airbnb Just Made Booking Less Annoying: Here's What Changed
Airbnb Just Made Booking Less Annoying: Here's What Changed Airbnb guests around the world will now see the full price – including all fees before taxes – right in search results. The vacation rental company announced the change on Monday, April 21. Airbnb's optional toggle feature to see full pricing is now standard for all users worldwide. The company said nearly 17 million guests had used the toggle since it launched in 2022. "With the global rollout of total price display, we're making it easier for guests to better understand the price they'll pay, and for hosts to succeed in a more transparent marketplace," Airbnb said. Airbnb first tes…

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by Chris Spiker
Paramus, NJ
Breaking News
Discord App Exposes Kids To Child Predators: NJ AG Alleges In Suit Discord App Exposes Kids To Child Predators: NJ AG Alleges In Suit Discord App Exposes Kids To Child Predators: NJ AG Alleges In Suit
Discord App Exposes Kids To Child Predators: NJ AG Alleges In Suit The Division of Consumers Affairs announced it is suing the Discord app, claiming it misleads parents and exposes children to predators, New Jersey Attorney Matthew Platkin announced on Thursday, April 17. The lawsuit claims Discord violated the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act, when it knew its safety features and policies could not protect kids who use the app, but refused to do better, Platkin said. Discord misled parents and kids about its safety settings for direct messages, Platkin alleges, leaving them vulnerable to sexual and violent content and to online predators who lurk in the app.…

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by Sam Barron
National Interest
Don't Fall For This EZ-Pass Text Scam Don't Fall For This EZ-Pass Text Scam Don't Fall For This EZ-Pass Text Scam
Don't Fall For This Ez-pass Text Scam Fraudulent text messages pretending to be from E-ZPass are alarming users with false claims of unpaid tolls and directing them to a deceptive payment website.  Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and avoid clicking any links contained in these messages. These fake texts are often sent from an international number and request the consumer to reply with "Y" to receive a link to a counterfeit payment portal in an attempt to steal personal information and funds from unsuspecting individuals. This smishing tactic is designed to steal personal information and funds fro…

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by Joe Lombardi
Pottstown, PA
Breaking News
$158K Stolen, Homes Left In Ruins, Pottstown Contractor Caught In NC: AG $158K Stolen, Homes Left In Ruins, Pottstown Contractor Caught In NC: AG $158K Stolen, Homes Left In Ruins, Pottstown Contractor Caught In NC: AG
$158K Stolen, Homes Left In Ruins, Pottstown Contractor Caught In NC: AG A Pottstown contractor who wrecked homes and drained homeowners’ savings, pocketing more than $158,000 without finishing his jobs, will now spend years behind bars, the Pennsylvania Attorney General announced on Tuesday, March 18. Jared Blake Wyllie, 48, lured homeowners into signing contracts under his business, PROjex, LLC, falsely claiming to be a licensed contractor. He took massive upfront payments, did little to no work, and vanished—leaving behind destruction and financial ruin. He was sentenced to three to six years in state prison, plus two years of probation, and must repay his vic…

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by Jillian Pikora
Arlington, VA
On Your Side
Scammers Stole $14M+ Promising Passive Income From AI-Powered Amazon Shops: FTC Scammers Stole $14M+ Promising Passive Income From AI-Powered Amazon Shops: FTC Scammers Stole $14M+ Promising Passive Income From AI-Powered Amazon Shops: FTC
Scammers Stole $14M+ Promising Passive Income From Ai-powered Amazon Shops: FTC A federal court has temporarily shut down an online business that regulators accused of deceiving consumers out of more than $14 million with false promises of big earnings through artificial intelligence-powered online stores, officials said. The Federal Trade Commission said Click Profit, operating under names like FBALaunch and Automation Industries, misled consumers into believing they could earn large sums in passive income by selling products on platforms like Amazon, Walmart, and TikTok. The FTC announced the legal action against Click Profit in a news release on Tuesday, Mar. 18…

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by Chris Spiker
Albany, NY
Breaking News
NYers Can Now Report Soaring Drug Prices, Pharmacy Complaints Through New State Program NYers Can Now Report Soaring Drug Prices, Pharmacy Complaints Through New State Program NYers Can Now Report Soaring Drug Prices, Pharmacy Complaints Through New State Program
NYers Can Now Report Soaring Drug Prices, Pharmacy Complaints Through New State Program New Yorkers now have an easier way to report skyrocketing prescription drug prices and pharmacy issues, thanks to a new digital platform. The tool, called DFS Connect, was unveiled Monday, March 17, by the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) as part of a push to increase transparency and hold drug manufacturers accountable, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office said. It will allow residents to file complaints about prescription drug price spikes, particularly if a drug’s cost has risen by more than 50 percent in a year. Small, independent pharmacies can also report unfair business pr…

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by Michael Mashburn