Live Nation Litigation Must Continue Despite Possible Interference

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829 

Washington, DC – Recent turbulence at the Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division has culminated in the absence of its top leadership, including now-former Assistant Attorney General Gail Slater. NCL is deeply concerned about the potential impact this disruption could have on the Division’s ability to pursue antitrust enforcement consistently, independently, and in the public interest. Leadership instability at such a critical moment raises serious questions about whether major cases – including the ongoing litigation against Live Nation-Ticketmaster, which NCL has long supported – will be carried through to their conclusion. 

Regardless of DOJ’s next steps, NCL urges state attorneys general to remain committed to enforcing federal and state antitrust laws, particularly in the Live Nation monopolization case, where 40 state attorneys general lead the lawsuit alongside the U.S. DOJ.  

“The mandate of law enforcement agencies, including DOJ, is to protect the public and uphold the law,” said NCL Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud John Breyault. “Antitrust enforcement must be guided by the facts, the law, and the interests of consumers — not by shifting institutional dynamics. If DOJ is unable to continue this litigation, state attorneys general must stand up for their constituents and see the case through.”  

NCL is also calling on the U.S. House and Senate Judiciary Committees to investigate political interference in DOJ’s antitrust activities, especially if recent tumult at the agency results in the termination of ongoing enforcement actions. 

Additional reading 

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)      

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.   

14 Public Interest Groups Urge Meta to Act on Scam Ads

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829 

Washington, DC – Today, the National Consumers League and 13 other public interest groups urged Meta to implement new policies to combat the epidemic of scam ads on its platforms, which includes Facebook and Instagram. The advocacy effort comes after reporting that the company at one point projected 10% of its revenue to come from advertisements for scams and banned goods. Meta also privately estimated that the company facilitated a third of all successful scams in the United States.

“Preventing the proliferation of scams is one of the most effective ways to protect the public from further losses,” said John Breyault, NCL Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud. “Meta is uniquely positioned to stop a massive amount of fraud before it even happens. We believe it has a responsibility to do so.”

The consumer groups are pushing Meta to establish a victim restitution program, strengthen its oversight of advertisers, and increase transparency into its handling of suspected scam ads.

The organizations also indicated that they are exploring ways to support new state and federal legal requirements, including the enforcement of existing statutes prohibiting unfair and deceptive practices and the enactment of new legislation regarding the facilitation of scam advertisements.

“Given Meta’s enormous size and the scale of its platforms, it is one of the entities in the fraud ecosystem best positioned to combat these crimes,” wrote the groups.

The full letter can be found here.

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)      

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.   

Trump’s Attempt to Nullify State AI Regulations Is a Disaster for Consumers

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829 

Washington, DC – Yesterday, in an Executive Order, President Trump directed his administration to block state-enacted safeguards around artificial intelligence, including the restriction of federal funding to states the White House targets and the creation of a “Litigation Task Force” to challenge states’ consumer protections. NCL wholly opposes these efforts as unregulated AI products create significant risks to the public, from serious issues regarding safety and mental health, to unauthorized uses of consumer data and creative works.    

“States have been leading consumer protection efforts on AI since the federal government has been asleep at the wheel,” said NCL Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud John Breyault. “This executive order shows that the administration’s failure to protect the public isn’t an accident—it’s an intentional policy decision. To make matters worse, they are now seeking to punish state leaders that did the right thing and stepped up for their constituents.”  

Congress has repeatedly rejected the White House’s attempt to override state laws governing AI, including a 99-1 vote in the Senate that kept state protections in place. A coalition of 36 bipartisan state attorneys general opposed a federal ban on state AI protections just two weeks ago. 

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)      

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.   

‘Tis the Season for Scammers: National Consumers League Unveils the Top 10 Holiday Shopping Scams of 2025

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From fake deals to phony deliveries, consumers urged to stay alert as holiday fraud surges  

Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829  

Washington, DC — As holiday shopping kicks into high gear, the National Consumers League (NCL) is warning Americans to beware of the wave of scams designed to cash in on the season of giving. “Scammers know the holidays are the perfect storm—consumers are busy and spending more online looking for deals,” said John Breyault, NCL’s Vice President of Telecommunications and Fraud Policy. “They count on you being distracted. Before you click that link or grab that ‘flash deal,’ take a breath and verify it’s real. A few extra seconds of skepticism can save you hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars.”  

Whether it’s counterfeit products on social media, bogus “too good to be true” deals, or texts about fake delivery problems, scammers are working overtime to take your hard-earned dollars.  

To help shoppers protect themselves, NCL has identified 10 Holiday Shopping Scams to watch out for and offers advice to navigate tricky situations.   

Top 10 Holiday Shopping Scams to watch     

  • Fake “Too-Good-To-Be-True” Deals – Deep discounts on luxury brands or electronics that never arrive.  
  • Counterfeit Products on Marketplaces – Fraudsters posing as legitimate sellers with knockoff goods.  
  • Gift Card Grifts – Used or drained cards, or scammers demanding payment via gift card.  
  • Phishing Emails and Texts – Fake order confirmations and delivery alerts that steal personal info.  
  • Charity Scams – Imposters preying on goodwill with fake donation appeals.  
  • Package Delivery Scams – Texts claiming “delivery issues” that link to phony tracking sites.  
  • Subscription Traps – “Free trials” that quietly charge recurring fees.  
  • Social Media Shopping Scams – Fraudulent ads or influencer posts for non-existent stores.  
  • Travel Deal Cons – Bogus vacation rentals or airfare “specials” that disappear after payment.  
  • Buy Now, Pay Later Pitfalls – Fake financing offers or hidden fee traps.  

NCL’s Tips to Stay Scam-Free This Season:  

  • Stick to trusted retailers and check URLs before purchasing.  
  • Don’t click on links in unsolicited texts or emails—go directly to the retailer’s site.  
  • Pay by credit card for better fraud protection.  
  • Verify charities through trusted databases before donating. 

For more tips or to report suspected scams, visit Fraud.org.  

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)       

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.     

DOJ’s Scam Center Strike Force Is a Major Win for Consumers

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829 

Washington, DC — The National Consumers League (NCL) applauded the Justice Department’s creation of a new federal Scam Center Strike Force to crack down on cryptocurrency-related fraud. NCL, through its Fraud.org campaign, has long urged stronger action to hold both scammers—and the communication and financial networks they use—accountable for the hundreds of billions lost to fraud each year.

The following statement is attributable to John Breyault, NCL’s Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud:

“These criminals don’t just drain bank accounts—they destroy lives. This Strike Force is a major step toward putting global fraudsters on notice. For too long, overseas crypto-investment scammers have been operating with impunity, stealing billions from Americans. This new coordinated approach sends a clear message: the U.S. is fighting back.

Crypto scams are the new face of global fraud. They’re high-tech, transnational, and devastating for victims. By treating these operations as the national-security threat they are, DOJ is showing real leadership. The announcement that law enforcement has already seized over $400 million in cryptocurrency is a powerful sign that these criminals can—and will—be caught. But it’s not just about arrests; it’s about getting money back into the hands of victims.

We urge policymakers not to stop here. Consumers need stronger education, more accountability from the platforms and telecom networks that enable scams, and better systems for restitution. This is a fight we can win—but only if we work together.”

Consumer who have been targeted by scammers should not be silent. By filing a complaint via Fraud.org’s secure online complaint form, we can share your story with our network of law enforcement and consumer protection agency partners.

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)      

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.   

CFPB layoffs significantly raise consumers’ risk of fraud 

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829    

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) is calling on the Trump Administration to immediately stop the sweeping layoffs announced at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Reports that the Administration plans to lay off 1,500 positions across the CFPB’s enforcement and supervision divisions will drastically reduce the agency’s ability to fulfill its core mission of protecting consumers.    

“This is a reckless move that will leave millions of Americans more vulnerable to financial fraud and abuse,” said NCL VP of Public Policy John Breyault. “With only about 200 personnel left to oversee the financial marketplace, the Bureau’s effectiveness will be severely compromised at a time when scams, identity theft, and predatory lending are on the rise. This is yet another attempt by this administration to dismantle one of the most effective consumer protection watchdogs in the federal government.” 

The move to narrow the CFPB’s focus to only the most “tangible” harms and retreat from regulating nonbank financial actors—such as payday lenders, peer-to-peer platforms, and digital payment services—ignores the rapidly evolving threats consumers face in the financial marketplace. Many of these sectors are precisely where fraud and abuse thrive due to a lack of oversight.   

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)  

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org. 

NCL warns: DOGE’s FTC infiltration puts consumer privacy at risk

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829
Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) is outraged by the recent actions of Elon Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), which has reportedly infiltrated the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). These actions pose a direct and immediate threat to consumers and parents nationwide. By interfering with the FTC’s ability to protect the public—especially children’s data—from harmful privacy violations, fraud, and anti-competitive practices, DOGE has crossed the line.
“The infiltration of the FTC by DOGE, an entity driven by the interests of a few powerful billionaires, is a dangerous step toward dismantling vital consumer protections and furthering the corporate capture of government agencies,” said NCL VP of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud, John Breyault. “The public’s safety and privacy are already under constant threat from corporate surveillance, and DOGE’s actions simply give even more power to those who prioritize profit over people. Consumers stand to lose the most from DOGE’s interference, and parents should be alarmed, especially since the FTC plays a critical role in safeguarding children’s digital privacy.”
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About the National Consumers League (NCL)
The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

U.S. House vote exposes more families to fraud  

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829       

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) is outraged by today’s partisan vote by the U.S. House of Representatives to repeal the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) Larger Participants Rule. The vote approving S.J. Res 28 solidifies a gaping regulatory loophole that will allow Big Tech payment apps like PayPal, Venmo, and CashApp to evade accountability for their use by criminals to defraud millions of Americans.  

“Peer-to-peer payment app operators know that their platforms are being used by criminals to enable hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars in fraud against American families,” said NCL Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud John Breyault. “Instead of giving the CFPB the ability to crack down on this fraud, Elon Musk and his allies Congress have instead given a green light to scammers to raid the life savings of vulnerable Americans.”  

The CFPB’s Defining Larger Participants of a Market for General-Use Digital Consumer Payment Applications regulation (Larger Participant Rule) last year leveled the playing field between banks and Big Tech companies by establishing much-needed CFPB oversight over operators of digital wallets and payment apps. Should S.J. Res 28 become law, the operators of these apps will also have free rein to collect vast quantities of data about individual’s transactions with few, if any guardrails.   

NCL similarly criticized the House’s vote to overturn the CFPB’s overdraft fee rule (S.J. Res 18). The rule closed an outdated loophole that allows major banks to generate billions from excessive overdraft fees. Overdraft fees generate $5 billion in junk fee profits each year,  costing households hit with such fees approximately $225 annually. The CFPB’s overdraft fee rule lowered overdraft fees from $35 to $5 per overdraft.  

“The overdraft fee rule sent a clear message that banks should work for everyday Americans, not nickel-and-dime them with outrageous fees,” Breyault continued. “Instead of protecting this commonsense consumer protection, Republicans in Congress chose to stand with big banks and to let them continue padding their bottom lines with billions in junk fees.”  

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)       

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.    

New legislation to protect fraud victims from tax penalties 

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829
Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) is appreciative of Representative Haley Stevens’s (D-MI) proposed legislation designed to protect fraud victims from being unfairly taxed when they are forced to tap into their 401(k)s early due to fraudulent schemes. Fraud prevention and consumer protection are central to NCL’s mission, and we strongly support this critical step in ensuring that fraud victims are not penalized further.
“Fraud victims are harmed enough when criminals steal their life savings,” said John Breyault, NCL Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud. “The last thing victims should worry about after being scammed is a bill from the IRS. NCL is thankful for Representative Stevens’ efforts to reduce the burdens fraud victims face after a crime has occurred.”
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About the National Consumers League (NCL)
The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

NCL supports new legislation to combat crypto ATM fraud  

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829     

Washington, DC – The National Consumer League (NCL) expresses strong support for the Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act introduced by Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL). This critical legislation aims to protect consumers from rising scams involving cryptocurrency ATMs. The minimal regulation of these machines, combined with the anonymity and irreversibility of cryptocurrency transactions, makes crypto ATMs a preferred tool for scammers.   

  “This legislation is a vital step in protecting everyday consumers from the growing threat of crypto ATM fraud,” said John Breyault, NCL VP of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud. “The Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act will provide necessary safeguards to stop scammers from exploiting cryptocurrency ATMs to steal hard-earned savings. We applaud Senator Durbin’s leadership in addressing this urgent issue.”   

  NCL’s Top Ten Scams report for 2024 found staggering losses from cryptocurrency scams. The median loss reported to NCL’s Fraud.org reached a new peak of $30,000 for the complaint category, including crypto fraud. Additionally, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Americans lost $66 million to crypto ATM fraud in the first half of 2024. The bill would require crypto ATM operators to inform consumers about scams, implement safeguards to prevent fraud and give law enforcement new tools to investigate and stop these crimes.     

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)      

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.