Earlier this month, the FTC sent over 10,000 checks totaling over $4 million to fully refund people for the amount they paid to Stark Law, a company that the FTC says collected payments for fake debt by threatening to sue or arrest people who didnt pay. AI hype is playing out today across many products, from toys to cars to chatbots and a lot of things in between. The FTC provides answers to common questions about refund payments onour FAQ page. Spot the latest COVID scams, get compliance guidance, and stay up to date on FTC actions during the pandemic. For more information on how the FTC handles information that we collect, please read our privacy policy. DANGER, WILL ROBINSON, DANGER! It is your choice whether to submit a comment. Free e-filing tools are available at www.irs.gov/freefile. These are the same companies that only adopted AI-enabled technology once it became a buzzword and a lot of what I have seen wouldn't pass your four question metric above. If you do, you must create a user name, or we will not post your comment. Use our visualizations to explore scam and fraud trends in your state based on reports from consumers like you. Please call for details. The Federal Trade Commission Act authorizes this information collection for purposes of managing online comments. Youve probably heard: this holiday season, it might be harder to find the gifts youre looking for. And at the FTC, one thing we know about hot marketing terms is that some advertisers wont be able to stop themselves from overusing and abusing them. The company added these charges without the customers permission and did not investigate when customers complained about them. We use this information to send refunds. The FTC and its law enforcement partners announced actions against several income scams that conned people out of hundreds of millions of dollars by falsely telling them they could make a lot of money. We enforce federal competition and consumer protection laws that prevent anticompetitive, deceptive, and unfair business practices. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. The .gov means its official. If we do not have all the information we need to send refunds, we may request that consumers file a claim. Heres what you need to know about these calls. The FTC reports how much money was returned to consumers, how much was spent on administrative costs, and how much was sent to the U.S. Treasury when there were leftover funds, each year and for every case, on the agencys, Most FTC cases do not require you to file a claim. You can findanswers tocommon questions about refund payments onour FAQ page. . couch and chair set leather AI as just a magnification / catalyst to human miss behavior. The .gov means its official. We need to be able to fully account for, and show / trace the logic behind (ie: the source used) for: morality, decency, ethics, and the general good. We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. HSR threshold adjustments and reportability for 2023, A Century of Technological Evolution at the Federal Trade Commission, National Consumer Protection Week 2023 Begins Sunday, March 5, FTC at the 65th Annual Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market - NCPW 2023, FTC Sends Checks Totaling More Than $31 Million to LifeLock Customers, LifeLock to Pay $100 Million to Consumers to Settle FTC Charges it Violated 2010 Order, FTC Takes Action Against LifeLock for Alleged Violations of 2010 Order, Nearly One Million LifeLock Victims to Receive Refund Checks from FTC, LifeLock Will Pay $12 Million to Settle Charges by the FTC and 35 States That Identity Theft Prevention and Data Security Claims Were False. I just heard about an FTC lawsuit. Earn Perks With A New Checking Account Are you aware of the risks? Spot the latest COVID scams, get compliance guidance, and stay up to date on FTC actions during the pandemic. If you get a PayPal payment, please accept it within 30 days. After letting those initial feelings subside, I think it is a great article and I have sent it to several DOD friends. Find the resources you need to understand how consumer protection law impacts your business. It is your choice whether to submit a comment. This article rubbed me the wrong way when I first read it, I had to let it sit for 24 hours and think about it. You need adequate proof for that kind of comparative claim, too, and if such proof is impossible to get, then dont make the claim. If the FTC contacts you about a refund, you'll find information about the case at ftc.gov/refunds. How can a TEMPORARY PAUSE be put on a technology that is being unleashed faster than high-tech firms can safely deploy / control it? The FTC enforces consumer protection laws to stop illegal business practices and get refunds to people who lost money. If you receive a 1099 tax form with your check, you should report the payment as income on your tax return. FTC Sends Refund Checks to Tech Support Scam Victims The Federal Trade Commission will begin sending refunds totaling more than $1.7 million to consumers who were victims of a tech support scam.The scam tricked consumers into buying tech support services by claiming their computers were infected with viruses, malware, or other security breaches. Whenever possible, the FTC uses the money it collects from defendants to provide refunds to injured consumers. Learn more about your rights as a consumer and how to spot and avoid scams. Youve probably heard: this holiday season, it might be harder to find the gifts youre looking for. If there is still money available in the settlement fund, we may be able to reissue your payment. Learn about getting and using credit, borrowing money, and managing debt. If someone claims to be from the FTC and asks for money, its a scam. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We use this information to send refunds. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission. Or even claiming it can do something beyond the current capability of any AI or automated technology? You can find and verify the phone numbers for FTC refund programs at ftc.gov/refunds. Ifyou have any otherquestions, please call the refund administrator at1-800-591-4238. I tell DOD and USG folks to educate themselves on AI/ML, there are tons of YouTube videos on it and some simple books to read, podcasts, etc - know what it is and what it isn't. Last year, FTC cases returned $483 million to people who lost money to companies the FTC sued. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal government site. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. And remember that the FTC will never ask you to pay money or give your account info to get a refund. You dont need a machine to predict what the FTC might do when those claims are unsupported. Make smart shopping decisions, know your rights, and solve problems when you shop or donate to charity. If so, information about how to file a claim will be available at, If you believe you have been affected by an FTC case that is not listed at, For more information about the FTCs refund process, see, Data on FTC refunds are available in interactive online dashboards. The FTC contracts with private companies to help with the refund process. The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. They always have a good story to explain why you cant keep all the money. . In cases where the FTC is required to report payments to the IRS, the agency will include a 1099 tax form with your check. And its happy news when those cases result in refunds. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect. It a stationary object, we see it action path cross that about to happen. If you think you can get away with baseless claims that your product is AI-enabled, think again. We may routinely use these records as described in the FTCsPrivacy Act system notices. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission. Breathless media accounts dont help, but it starts with the companies that do the developing and selling. And you cant say youre not responsible because that technology is a black box you cant understand or didnt know how to test. Unless they figure out WHO IS GOING TO DO THAT IN THE FUTURE, will not this whole technology continue to go off the rails and be very dangerous in the wrong hands? GIGO is a term we use in tech. If you lost money in a scam, you might get a call or email from someone claiming that they can help you recover your funds if you pay them, hand over personal information, or allow them remote access to your computer. But one thing is for sure: its a marketing term. Free e-filing tools are available at, You must submit your request in writing by mail or email. Search the Legal Library instead. I requested a check reissue. to fully refund people for the amount they paid to, , a company that the FTC says collected payments for fake debt by threatening to sue or arrest people who didnt pay. The Federal Trade Commission Act authorizes this information collection for purposes of managing online comments. Looking for legal documents or records? The FTC is sending PayPal payments totaling $4.7 million to 338,189LifeLock customers who were membersbetween 2012 and 2014. Advertisers should take another look at our. After settling with. If you do not have a PayPal account, and would prefer to get a check, please call1-866-898-5106. Memo from Chair Lina M. Khan to commission staff and commissioners regarding the vision and priorities for the FTC. But the fact is that some products with AI claims might not even work as advertised in the first place. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. We enforce federal competition and consumer protection laws that prevent anticompetitive, deceptive, and unfair business practices. Before labeling your product as AI-powered, note also that merely using an AI tool in the development process is not the same as a product having AI in it. Or even claiming it can do something beyond the current capability of any AI or automated technology? the payment processor that made it possible for this company to collect credit card payments the FTC is sending customers of E.M. Systems & Services 100% of their lost money back. Weve just heard, though, that scammers are trying to get into the act, using fake checks that look like the real one. The chart below includes recent FTC cases that resulted in refunds. Anticipation" same as cars in front you turn right, you can see ahead it all stopped. Start small, then add on. Until the killer robots come Your performance claims would be deceptive if they lack scientific support or if they apply only to certain types of users or under certain conditions. The FTC first mailed checks for this matter in October 2019 and sent PayPal payments in August 2021, resulting in more than $26.5 million in refunds. How to protect your personal information and privacy, stay safe online, and help your kids do the same. But the fact is that some products with AI claims might not even work as advertised in the first place. We cannot send payments until all legal action is complete, and we have collected the money from the defendants. And yes he cut across. " The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. Because there is still money in the fund, the FTC is sending another round of payments to people who previously cashed a check or accepted a PayPal payment and have a valid email address on file. The FTC works to fulfill its mission in many ways, including bringing cases against companies who are being unfair or deceptive. The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. In one version of the scam, you get a call and a recorded message that says its Amazon. An official website of the United States government. But scammers try to cause confusion and take advantage at every step. Fake calls from Apple and Amazon support: What you need to know, The Google Voice scam: How this verification code scam works and how to avoid it, Show/hide Shopping and Donating menu items, Show/hide Credit, Loans, and Debt menu items, Show/hide Jobs and Making Money menu items, Money-Making Opportunities and Investments, Show/hide Unwanted Calls, Emails, and Texts menu items, Show/hide Identity Theft and Online Security menu items, These scams work because fake checks generally look just like real checks, even to bank employees. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. Breathless media accounts dont help, but it starts with the companies that do the developing and selling. The FTC and its law enforcement partners announced actions against several income scams that conned people out of hundreds of millions of dollars by falsely telling them they could make a lot of money. How to protect your personal information and privacy, stay safe online, and help your kids do the same. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal government site. Its not uncommon for advertisers to say that some new-fangled technology makes their product better perhaps to justify a higher price or influence labor decisions. Have you heard about it? Most FTC cases do not require you to file a claim. The FTC first mailed checks for this matter in October 2019 and sent PayPal payments in August 2021, resulting in more than $26.5 million in refunds. Whatever it can or cant do, AI is important, and so are the claims you make about it. We enforce federal competition and consumer protection laws that prevent anticompetitive, deceptive, and unfair business practices. You must submit your request in writing by mail or email. What to do about unwanted calls, emails, and text messages that can be annoying, might be illegal, and are probably scams. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. An official website of the United States government. By that time, the scammer has any money you sent, and you're stuck paying the money back to the bank. If someone contacts you claiming that theyre from the FTC and want you to spend money in order to get a refund, its a scam. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal government site. We work to advance government policies that protect consumers and promote competition. It is good, that there seems to be some pushback against the mindless competition that is prematurely unleashing the AI Pandoras Box upon the world. Garbage-in Garbage-out. . So far, weve heard that scammers have given job applicants a check that looks like an AMG refund check, and then asked people to deposit the check and use the money to go buy supplies for the supposed employer. Fake checks can take weeks to be discovered and untangled. It can take weeks for a bank to figure out that the check is a fake. Start small, then add on. An official website of the United States government.
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