Consumer fraud and advertising enforcement action where the FTC sent warning letters to 97 auto dealership groups for deceptive pricing practices, such as advertising prices that exclude mandatory fees, misleading consumers about total costs. The letters stress the need for truthful and transparent pricing in the automotive industry.
No formal remedies imposed; the FTC issued warning letters urging dealers to ensure advertised prices include all mandatory fees and to review practices for compliance with the FTC Act.
Entity
97 Auto Dealership Groups
Also known as: Auto Dealership Groups
Industry
AutomotiveOfficial Press Release
https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/03/ftc-warns-97-auto-dealership-groups-about-deceptive-pricing
template auto warning letter
https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/warning-letters/template-auto-warning-letter
Federal Trade Commission Enforcement Page
https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement
$18.0M
Consumer fraud enforcement action where the FTC settled with Air AI for misleading entrepreneurs with false earnings and refund guarantees. The company will be banned from marketing business opportunities and pay a suspended $18 million judgment with $50,000 for consumer relief. Violations included failure to provide required disclosures and false claims under the Telemarketing Sales Rule and Business Opportunity Rule.
$17.0M
Consumer fraud enforcement action where the FTC settled with Xponential Fitness for violating the Franchise Rule by misrepresenting key information to franchisees, including time to open and costs. The settlement includes a $17 million monetary judgment for redress and prohibits future misrepresentations.
$100.0M
The FTC and 11 states settled with Walmart for $100 million over deceptive earnings claims in its Spark Driver gig worker app, where drivers were misled about base pay, tips, and incentives. The settlement also addressed GLBA violations for failing to provide proper notice regarding the handling of drivers' financial information. Walmart must implement an earnings verification program and is banned from misrepresenting driver earnings.
The FTC issued a policy statement announcing it will not enforce COPPA against operators that collect age verification data under specific conditions. The policy aims to encourage the use of age verification technologies to protect children online. Operators must limit data use, ensure security, provide notice, and use accurate verification methods.
The FTC issued a policy statement announcing that it will not enforce the COPPA Rule against website and online service operators that use age verification technologies solely to determine user age, provided they comply with conditions such as limiting data use, ensuring security, and providing clear notice. This policy aims to incentivize age verification tools to protect children online.
The FTC issued warning letters to 13 data brokers reminding them of their obligations under the Protecting Americans' Data from Foreign Adversaries Act (PADFAA), which bans the sale or disclosure of sensitive personal data to foreign adversaries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The letters cite instances where recipients offered data on Armed Forces members, which is protected under PADFAA. Non-compliance could result in civil penalties up to $53,088 per violation.