U.S. Government News

Internet Scams: Don't Get Scammed this Holiday Season says FBI

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 11:29:23 PST

Be wary of e-mails or text messages that indicate a problem or question regarding your financial accounts. Criminals will attempt to direct victims to click a link or call a number to update an account or correct a purported problem. The links may appear to lead you to legitimate websites, but they are not. Any personal information you share on them could be compromised.

Bogus Medical Discount Cards: FTC Crack Down on Bogus "Medical Discount Plans

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 04:30:41 PST

With so many Americans struggling to deal with the costs of health care, these medical discount benefit plans sound appealing because they masquerade as health insurance,” said David Vladeck, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “But they are not insurance.

Sex Offenders in San Diego: Results of Operation Watchdog to Keep Tabs on Hundreds of Registered Sex Offenders

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 08:07:12 PST

Because of sex offenders' propensity to reoffend, keeping tabs on them is crucial to protecting the public," Brown said. "As in many things, the price of safety is constant vigilance, and my office is committed to providing that....

BlueHippo: FTC Lodges Contempt Charge Against BlueHippo

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:54:26 PST

The Federal Trade Commission has asked a federal court to issue a contempt order against BlueHippo, a company that collected more than $15 million from consumers based on claims that it would finance their purchases of new computers, but delivered neither the financing nor the financed computers, in violation of a 2008 court order.

Tracking an Online Threat: The FBI Reports

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:18:24 PST

Tip number 2136079 flashed on one of our Submit a Crime Tip computer screens January 12, 2009, eight days before the inauguration of Barack Obama: "I'm going to assassinate the new president of the United States of America,” the message said in all capital letters, followed by hundreds of exclamation marks. And there was a P.S.: "YOU HAVE 48 HOURS TO STOP IT FROM HAPPENING…."

Payday Loan Lead Generators Settle FTC Charges

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:08:24 PST

Two payday loan lead generators have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that their Internet advertising stated payday loan costs and repayment periods without disclosing annual percentage rate (APR) information as federal law requires.

For Sexual Harassment : Specialty Restaurants to Pay $625,000 For Sexual Harassment, Retaliation

Thu, 08 May 2008 07:48:50 PST

EEOC Says Restaurant Chain Punished Female Employees Who Complained

Nursing Home Violations: The Springs at Carlotta In Riverside County Receives

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 07:49:10 PST

The Springs at the Carlotta in Riverside County has received a "AA" citation, the most severe penalty under state law, and a $100,000 fine, the highest fine under state law, from the state of California after an investigation concluded that inadequate care led to the death of a resident, announced Dr. Mark Horton, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

DMV Indictes Car Sales Representatives on Fraud Charges

Sat, 12 Apr 2008 13:31:46 PST

Felony criminal charges were disclosed Wednesday against former sales representatives of Power Toyota of Cerritos, as indictments were unsealed in Los Angeles Superior Court. Bail has been set at $80,000 sales representatives .

Sexual Harassment: Mc Donald’s Franchise to Pay $505,000 For Sexual Harassment Of Young Women, Including Teens

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 19:14:07 PST

DENVER – A Durango, Colo.-based McDonald’s restaurant franchise will pay $505,000 and provide significant remedial relief to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on behalf of a class of young female employees, including teens, the agency announced today

Dillard’s To Pay Half Million To Settle EEOC Class Sexual Harassment Suit

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:13:12 PST

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today announced it has settled its class sexual harassment lawsuit against the Dillard’s department store chain for $500,000 and substantial remedial relief on behalf of a class of 12 female former employees who were sexually harassed by an assistant store manager in two states.

ValueClick to Pay $2.9 Million to Settle FTC Charges -

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 08:49:50 PST

Online advertiser ValueClick, Inc., will pay a record $2.9 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that its advertising claims and e-mails were deceptive and violated federal law. The agency also charged that ValueClick and its subsidiaries, Hi-Speed Media and E-Babylon failed to secure consumers’ sensitive financial information, despite their claims to do so. The settlement, filed by the Department of Justice on behalf of the FTC, requires ValueClick to clearly and conspicuously disclose the costs and obligations consumers must incur to receive the products it touts as “free” and bars future violations of the CAN-SPAM Act. The settlement also bars deceptive claims about the security of the consumer information collected at its e-commerce Web sites.

Major Child Porn Ring Busted: The FBI Reports

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 07:13:33 PST

Thanks to a global law enforcement operation spanning five countries, three continents, and 11 U.S. states. As part of the continuing investigation, a total of 22 men have been arrested, including 14 in America, four in Germany, and two each in Australia and the U.K.

Corporate Hijackings: SEC Suspends Trading of 26 Companies to Combat Corporate Hijackings

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 07:04:24 PST

Washington, D.C., March 13, 2008 - The Securities and Exchange Commission today suspended trading in the securities of 26 companies that appear to have usurped the identity of defunct or inactive publicly-traded corporations using a tactic known as corporate hijacking. The Commission ordered the suspensions because of questions regarding the adequacy and accuracy of information pertaining to their status as publicly-traded companies.

Adult Website Operation Settles FTC Charges Unwitting Consumers Exposed to X-Rated Spam

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 11:39:54 PST

An X-rated Web operation that paid affiliates who used illegal e-mail to drive customers to its Web sites will pay a $413,000 civil penalty under a settlement reached with the FTC and the Department of Justice. The settlement also bars the illegal marketing practices in the future and requires the operator to monitor its affiliates to ensure that they are complying with the law.

Yamaha agrees to $2 million settlement with ARB for importing roughly 400 uncertified motorcycles into California

Sat, 26 Jan 2008 18:03:52 PST

SACRAMENTO -Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, and South Seas Cycle Exchange of Honolulu will pay $2 million to the Air Resources Board to settle a 2005 lawsuit over the importation of approximately 400 motorcycles that failed to meet California emissions standards.

ITC Investigates Certain Noise Cancelling Headphones

Thu, 27 Dec 2007 11:37:46 PST

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain noise cancelling headphones. The products at issue in this investigation are headphones that have features that reduce ambient noise, which are most often used to improve the experience of listening to an audio source. The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Bose Corporation of Framingham, MA, on November 29, 2007.

Local Hunter Fined for Using Bait to Attract Ducks

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 07:59:13 PST

On Monday, United States Magistrate Judge Leonard P. Stark of the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware fined William Bryant of Nottingham, Pa., $1,000 after he pleaded guilty to baiting a pond to lure waterfowl for hunters. Bryant faced up to a year in jail and a $100,000 fine for the federal misdemeanor.

CVS Pharmacy Inc. agrees to pay more than $226,000 in penalties

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 07:53:36 PST

Woonsocket-based CVS Pharmacy Inc. has agreed to pay the U.S. Department of Labor civil money penalties totaling $226,598 and to pay 51 employees back wages totaling $38,151 following an investigation by the department that revealed violations of the wage and youth employment provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Retail Burglary Scheme Busted in San Diego

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 07:04:42 PST

California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that two Texan shoplifters will be arraigned today on commercial burglary charges for buying and returning $375,000 in stolen goods at retailers including Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Victoria’s Secret and Gap across 34 states.