unauthorized billing

Humboldt Merchant Services FTC $12M payment-processor settlement (11 Sep 2026)

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.