#consumer-fraud

#consumer-fraud

A couple initially expecting to pay less than 50 for a locksmith became victims of a "bait-and-switch scam" which ended up costing them more than 5,000, an investigation has found. The scam involves baiting a customer with an initial cheap quote before adding on hidden charges and carrying out unnecessary work that leads to spiralling costs. As part of the BBC's investigation, the company involved - 24/7 Locksmiths UK - was secretly filmed trying to charge up to 10 times the original quote for the job.

Skims' unconscionable business practices meant that the company did not have a system in place to shield New Jersey consumers buying online from being charged sales tax, the AG's office said. Kardashian founded the body-positive apparel and skin care company in 2019, so those practices were in place from the get-go, according to authorities. Celebs from Kim Cattrall to Anthony Hopkins have swanned or snickered in the reality star's shapewear, slimming face masks and even a bra with a built-in nipple.

Cyber security experts are warning we should be on alert for AI scams -- and there's one circulating using the cloned voices of victims' loved ones. Here's how it works. Scammers gather voice samples from videos posted on social media, and in some cases even your own voicemail. They then use AI to replicate how that person sounds. Three seconds of audio is all it takes! Some victims report the voices are identical.

Angel Paws Pet Cremation appeared to be a nondescript San Marcos business, where grieving clients brought in their dearly departed pets - until they stopped getting their calls returned, and the building began to smell. Angel Paws owner Christopher Settle was arrested Tuesday for alleged grand theft, in a scheme prosecutors say involved taking in pets for cremations, collecting the payment, and leaving them in freezers to rot as he distributed false ashes.

"We allege that Temu has repeatedly and willfully violated the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act and put the privacy of Arizonans, including minors, at extreme risk," she said. "Arizonans should be aware that behind Temu's low prices and shiny advertising, there is real danger. The Temu app can infect users' devices with malware to steal their private data while carefully hiding its tracks."

Two U.S. senators are pushing the heads of the Federal Trade Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission to probe Meta Platforms after a recent Reuters investigation revealed the social media giant earned $16 billion from advertising scams and banned goods in 2024. A letter from Senators Josh Hawley (R‑MO) and Richard Blumenthal (D‑CT) to the agencies calls for a full investigation into Meta, pointing out that internal documents show Meta earned about 10% of its annual revenue from scam and fraudulent ads last year.