Topic
10 posts
Plate 99
On 13 May 2026 the FTC announced a $35 million proposed settlement with Shutterstock over alleged negative-option subscription and cancellation practices (APM/APU plans and on-demand packs). SDNY; Commission vote 2–0. Allegations labeled; order proposed until court entry. No affiliate.
Plate 45
On 19 August 2026 the FTC and Connecticut announced a $4 million settlement with Chase Nissan LLC d/b/a Manchester City Nissan over alleged deceptive certification fees and unauthorized add-ons. Case Pending in D. Connecticut; stipulated order requires total-price prominence and express consent. No affiliate.
Plate 39
On 8 September 2026 the FTC announced, and on 11 September 2026 the Eastern District of Michigan entered, a stipulated order requiring 5967 Ventures, LLC d/b/a Humboldt Merchant Services to pay $12 million and accept permanent bans on processing for certain high-risk merchant categories. Complaint alleges Humboldt processed payments for more than 1,000 shell merchants used in unauthorized-billing scams (including Legion Media fronts), with over $100 million through sham accounts 2021–2023. FTC case status Closed; funds for consumer redress; no public claim form in the press package as of 5 Oct 2026; no affiliate.
Plate 07
On 4 September 2026 the FTC announced that Canada-based Nuvei Corporation and subsidiaries will pay $4.85 million to settle charges that the firm opened and maintained payment processing for merchants it knew or should have known were deceptive—including offshore tech-support scams such as Reimage. Complaint and stipulated order filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona; case status Pending; funds for consumer redress; no public claim form in the press package as of 5 Oct 2026; no affiliate.
Plate 96
On 31 August 2026 the FTC and 22 states filed suit against Amazon.com, Inc. in the Western District of Washington (2:26-cv-03097), alleging that since about 2019 Amazon secretly inflated Sponsored Products, Sponsored Brands, and Sponsored Display auction prices with undisclosed “soft reserve” surcharges while telling advertisers it ran generalized second-price auctions—allegedly extracting tens of billions from ~1.2M advertisers. These are complaint allegations; Amazon’s About Amazon response calls the suit misguided and disputes advertiser and consumer harm. Distinct from the separate Amazon Prime FTC refund / subscription post. No affiliate; not legal advice.
Plate 81
On 24 September 2026 the FTC announced an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on whether to update its Rule on Impersonation of Government and Businesses—or take other action—to address social media, search, and digital marketplace platforms’ ad-optimization practices that may further impersonation scams. The ANPRM published in the Federal Register on 1 October 2026 (91 FR 62347; Doc. 2026-20143; Matter R207000; RIN 3084-AB90); Commission vote 2-0; comments due on or before 30 November 2026. This is a comment request, not a final rule; no affiliate.
Plate 63
On 17 Sep 2026 the FTC announced a proposed consent with Corpay, Inc. (formerly FleetCor Technologies) and CEO Ronald Clarke for $100 million over alleged unauthorized fuel-card fees and deceptive savings/fee claims aimed at small businesses. Docket 9403 / Matter 182 3000; accepted subject to final approval after 30-day comment; federal N.D. Ga. liability already affirmed in part by the 11th Cir. Case status Pending; no public claim form yet; no affiliate.
Plate 82
On 17 Sep 2026 the FTC and Washington announced a proposed stipulated order with Amway Corp., World Wide Group, and Leadership Team Development totaling $225 million over alleged deceptive MLM earnings claims, fake retail-sales reporting, and inventory pressure. Case 2:26-cv-3474 (W.D. Wash.). Neither admit nor deny; redress program details later; no public claim form yet; no affiliate.
Plate 11
On 28 Sep 2026 the FTC announced a proposed stipulated order with Corteva Inc. (filed 25 Sep, M.D.N.C. 22-cv-828 / matter 191-0031) ending alleged post-patent pesticide loyalty programs for 10 years and paying states $35 million. Co-plaintiffs: 12 states. Syngenta remains in litigation. Allegations; no admission required by the motion language; no public farmer claim form; no affiliate.
Plate 53
On 2 Oct 2026 the FTC filed a proposed stipulated consent decree with Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits resolving its Robinson-Patman Act suit. Covers sales to the five largest chains in 26 states for six years, with an independent monitor and 1.5× cure payments to harmed independents. Allegations from the 2024 complaint; defendant denies wrongdoing. No consumer claim form; no affiliate.