March Madness Frenzy: Consumers Beware—Sports Betting Apps Are Draining Your Credit

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

Washington, DC — As March Madness reaches the Final Four—with billions of dollars on the line and millions of Americans placing high-stakes wagers—the National Consumers League (NCL) is warning that sports betting apps are doing more than fueling the excitement—they may be quietly draining consumers’ savings and damaging their financial health. 

New research from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York shows that as sports betting expands, credit card delinquencies rise, credit scores fall, and bankruptcy rates increase—especially among younger and lower-income Americans.  

At the same time, NCL’s 2025 report revealed how aggressively betting apps are pushing users to keep wagering. In a first-of-its-kind analysis, NCL found that 93% of all push notifications sent by the three largest sports betting apps over a four-week period contained advertising content—with many designed to prompt immediate bets. 

“March Madness isn’t just entertainment anymore. Predatory gambling companies are constantly pressuring fans to spend more money when they should be having fun,” said Eden Iscil, NCL Senior Public Policy Manager. “Unlike TV, email, or text message ads, push notifications have no formal regulation, despite being very effective in capturing our attention. Advertising practices that are illegal over email have become normalized in smartphone apps. That’s not acceptable.” 

NCL’s findings reveal how these notifications drive betting behavior: 

  • 62% urged users to place a bet, often using phrases like “bet now.”  
  • 50% promoted bonuses and “no sweat” bets  
  • 28% highlighted betting odds  
  • 15% pushed parlays—high-risk bets with low odds of payout  

Americans are expected to wager more than $3 billion on this year’s NCAA tournament alone.  

To protect consumers during high-intensity betting moments like the Final Four, NCL is urging policymakers to act immediately: restrict sports betting advertising, especially marketing sent via smartphone push notifications. 

NCL’s full report is available 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.   

NCL, Former FCC Chairs File SCOTUS Brief To Defend Agency From Wireless Carriers 

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

Washington, DC – Today, the National Consumers League, two former chairs of the FCC, and five other public interest organizations filed an amicus brief at the U.S. Supreme Court in FCC v. AT&T. The case was brought after telecom carriers were found liable for privacy violations that harmed their customers. The companies responded by suing to nullify the Commission’s primary fining authority under the Communications Act of 1934.  

“As our personal data has become more insecure than ever, it is critical that we have strong regulators who are equipped to protect us from privacy violations,” said NCL Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud John Breyault. “Congress made it clear that the FCC’s job is to make sure that consumers’ sensitive telecommunications data is protected. The FCC, across bipartisan administrations, faithfully applied these mandates. The Court should ensure that the Commission continues to have every lever at its disposal to ensure America’s telecom carriers follow the law and to hold them accountable when they fail.” 

Democracy Forward Foundation provided pro bono counsel services for NCL in this filing. The full list of signatories to the brief are the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, Consumer Reports, the Electronic Privacy Information Center, the National Consumer Law Center, the National Consumers League, Public Knowledge, former FCC Chair Reed Hundt, and former FCC Chair Tom Wheeler.  

You can sign up for NCL’s biweekly #DataInsecurity Digest to receive updates on data privacy news 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.   

Sen. Durbin Reintroduces NCL-Endorsed Protect Your Points Act 

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

Washington, DC – Yesterday, Senator Durbin reintroduced the Protect Your Points Act, legislation that would protect consumers’ airline rewards points. Key components include a prohibition on points devaluation without at least one year’s notice, a requirement for the non-expiration of accrued points, a ban on junk fees for the redemption of rewards, and greater transparency into the dollar value of rewards points.   

“Airlines have in many ways become banks that happen to fly planes on the side,” said NCL Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud John Breyault. “If the industry plans to continue with this model, consumers deserve protections around issues like point devaluations, at a minimum. NCL is grateful to Senator Durbin for his leadership and bringing sunlight to this often-opaque industry.”   

Under former Transportation Secretary Buttigieg and former CFPB Director Chopra, NCL successfully advocated for the agencies to take action on consumer’s airline rewards. These actions included a landmark DOT investigation into carriers’ business practices, and a CFPB warning that devaluation of points may violate consumer protection law.  

Recent estimates for the valuations of these programs have exceeded several billion dollars, including $24 billion for American Airlines’ rewards operation and $22 billion for United Airlines. Delta’s SkyMiles program was estimated to be worth $28 billion, more than half of Delta’s total $40 billion valuation at the time. 

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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.   

National Consumers League and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) Statement as States Rest Their Case in Landmark Antitrust Battle Against Live Nation

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Washington, DC – Today marks a significant milestone in the State’s Attorney General’s antitrust case against Live Nation Entertainment, the parent company of Ticketmaster, LLC, as more than 30 state plaintiffs conclude the presentation of their case to the jury.

“State attorneys general have built a strong, compelling case—and there is no justification for settling. They should see the case through, put the facts before a jury, and let justice run its course,” said John Breyault, Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications and Fraud at the National Consumers League. “Consumers have waited long enough; they deserve nothing less than a decisive outcome that breaks up this monopoly and restores real competition to the marketplace.”  Breyault has been a leading consumer advocate and spokesperson on this case since its inception in 2024.

The lawsuit, originally filed in 2024 alongside the U.S. Department of Justice, alleges that Live Nation Entertainment, Inc., the parent of Ticketmaster, abused its market dominance through excessive fees, restrictive venue agreements, and coercive practices that have harmed consumers, artists, and venues across the country. After the Department of Justice reached a settlement, most of the states chose to move forward, rejecting the deal in favor of pursuing a full and fair resolution in court. With the states now resting their case, the trial moves into its next phase as Live Nation prepares to present its defense.

This moment also underscores the growing concern among federal lawmakers about competition in the live entertainment marketplace. Members of Congress have long raised alarms about Live Nation’s market power and its impact on consumers, artists, and venues. Their perspectives highlight the national significance of this case and the urgency of delivering real relief to consumers.

“The Justice Department’s decision to strike a deal with Live Nation-Ticketmaster, rather than take the case to trial, is a slap in the face to American concertgoers who are increasingly being priced out of seeing their favorite artists,” said Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ). “The Trump Administration had the opportunity to confront this monopoly but choose the side of corporate powers instead. At a time when families are already struggling in Trump’s disastrous economy, this agreement falls short of delivering the accountability the public deserves. I commend the bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general from across the country, including my home state of New Jersey, who have rejected this deal and chosen to press forward in addressing anticompetitive behavior that harms fans, artists, and venues alike. Attending concerts and live events with friends and family should not be a luxury reserved for the wealthiest Americans. I urge attorneys general in every state to stand firm as Live Nation begins their defense and enforce the nation’s antitrust laws this administration increasingly seems to abandon.”

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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, 55 Organizations Urge Lawmakers to Pass the Safety Is Not For Sale Act

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

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) and 55 of the nation’s most prominent automobile safety and consumer protection organizations sent a letter to leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee in support of the Safety is Not For Sale Act. The legislation requires that optional automobile safety systems be made available as part of the base trim or be disclosed and offered for sale separately from non-safety-related equipment.

“Regrettably, many lifesaving safety features are solely available on luxury trims or sold as part of expensive add-on packages with non-safety-related features, such as sophisticated infotainment systems, advanced sound systems, and lavish seats,” the letter states. “As such, consumers may be forced to purchase expensive luxury features they do not want or need in order to equip their vehicle with the safety features of their choosing. These practices make vital safety technologies less affordable and accessible, as consumers frequently must pay thousands of dollars more for luxury trims and optional packages. The Safety is Not For Sale Act is vital to ensuring that consumers have more affordable access to lifesaving automobile safety features.”

In February, the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade reported the Safety is Not For Sale Act to the Energy and Commerce Committee.

A copy of the letter can be found HERE.

Letter cosigners:

National Consumers League

Access Ready Inc.

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety

America Walks

Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota

Bike Cleveland

Bike-Walk Alliance of New Hampshire

BikeLA

BikeWalkNC

BioInjury LLC

California Bicycle Coalition

Center for Auto Safety

Consumer Federation of America

Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety

Consumer Reports

Detroit Greenways Coalition

Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund

Earth Ethics, Inc.

Families for Safe Streets National

Homestretch Nonprofit Housing Corp.

Impact Teen Drivers

Jacob Bikes

Just Strategy

Kids and Car Safety

League of American Bicyclists

Living Streets Alliance

Local Motion, Inc.

Marin County Bicycle Coalition

Move Redmond

Napa County Bicycle Coalition

National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners

National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Association

National Center for Health Research

National Coalition for Safer Roads

National Safety Council

New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition

Oregon Consumer Justice

Oregon Consumer League

Parents for Window Blind Safety

Pennsylvania Downtown Center

Ready Set Bike

Reese’s Purpose

Ride Illinois

Safe Infant Sleep

Safe Kids Worldwide

Safety Research & Strategies

Science Corps

Spark Access

Stopdistractions.org

The Wisconsin Bike Fed

ThinkFirst Foundation

Truck Safety Coalition

US Swim School Association

Vision 20/20 Project

Vision Zero Network

Washington Area Bicyclist Association

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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. 

Fuel Economy Features Save Car Owners Over $9,000 a Year Says National Consumers League 

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

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) today sent a letter to the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee in advance of the hearing on S. 3135, the Cold Weather Diesel Reliability Act.  The legislation would grant the Environmental Protection Agency the authority to permit vehicle manufacturers to suspend engine shutdown features on diesel vehicles in extreme cold. 

“As families across the country reel from the ongoing affordability crisis, we encourage lawmakers to consider the substantial effect fuel economy features have on alleviating household budgetary pressure, as detailed in our report titled Sticker Shock,” wrote Daniel Greene, the Senior Director of Consumer Protection & Product Safety at NCL. “Compliance with federal fuel economy and safety standards accounts for a small fraction of vehicle expenditures, but it generates thousands of dollars in benefits per household and trillions of dollars in societal benefits.” 

The letter notes that equipment upgrades—which include changes in fuel economy, comfort, convenience, durability, nonmandatory safety improvements, and safety standards that first require compliance after 2019—account for only $3,040.20, or 13 percent, of the increase in average expenditures per new passenger vehicle since 2002.  Adoption of these fuel economy features has dramatically improved the efficiency of the fleet.  Between 2002 and 2024, the real-world miles per gallon (mpg) of new cars rose from 22.8 mpg to 36.6 mpg, a 60.5 percent improvement. Over the same period, the real-world mpg of light trucks increased from 16.5 mpg to 24.6 mpg, a 49.3 percent increase. 

“Because of fuel-economy improvements, owners of model year 2024 cars save, on average, $9,099.75 in avoided gasoline expenditures,” the letter continues. “Owners of model year 2024 light trucks save, on average, $9,920.23 in avoided gasoline expenditures.” 

A copy of the letter can be found HERE. 

In February, NCL released a report on vehicle affordability, finding that federal safety and fuel economy standards save consumers thousands while having a marginal effect on affordability. The full report is available here: Sticker Shock: Uncovering the Real Drivers of Rising Vehicle Prices. 

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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. 

National Consumers League Applauds Progress on Responsible GLP-1 Marketing  

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

Washington, DC – As an organization focused on the safety of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, the National Consumers League welcomes the agreement between Novo Nordisk and the telehealth platform Hims & Hers as an important step that could turn the tide away from consumers opting for unapproved GLP-1 weight-loss products. 

By allowing Hims & Hers to sell Novo Nordisk’s injectable semaglutide drugs and the new pill form at the self-pay prices offered on other telehealth platforms, the agreement will give more consumers access to FDA-approved GLP-1 medicines whose safety is established by large clinical trials. Under the agreement, Hims will also offer to transition patients now taking a compounded GLP-1 to an FDA-approved alternative in consultation with a health professional. 

But what NCL views as especially noteworthy is that Hims & Hers will stop advertising compounded GLP-1s as safe alternatives to the FDA-approved medicines. As one of the largest advertisers of compounded GLP-1 weight-loss products, including glitzy ads during the 2025 and 2026 Super Bowls, Hims & Hers has played an outsized role in promoting compounded versions through tactics that violate the Federal Trade Commission’s prohibition on false and deceptive advertising. NCL has repeatedly called out the company for deceptive advertising practices, such as unsubstantiated claims and the omission of information on side effects and risks, which mislead consumers into believing that untested, unapproved compounded GLP-1s are essentially the same in safety and efficacy as FDA-approved medicines. 

“This could be the breakthrough that consumer advocates and patient safety organizations have hoped for. Not only will more consumers have affordable access to FDA-approved GLP-1 weight loss products, but there is the potential to blunt the impact of the voluminous, misleading television and online advertising that only promotes the benefits of compounded GLP-1s without disclosing the risks. It is a win-win that will lead to better obesity care while reducing the harm when consumers opt for unapproved drugs, and some pay the price with serious health problems,” said NCL’s Director of Food and Nutrition Policy, Nancy Glick.” 

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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.   

States Must Step Up if DOJ Sells Out to Live Nation

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

Washington, DC – Reports of a pending settlement between the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Live Nation Entertainment, the parent company of Ticketmaster, should be deeply concerning to all Americans, including live event fans, legislators, and competitors of the live event monopoly. The following statement is attributable to John Breyault, National Consumers League Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud:

“Reports that the U.S. Department of Justice has reached a settlement with Live Nation Entertainment that allows the company to keep its Ticketmaster empire are deeply disappointing for the millions of consumers who have endured years of sky-high fees, botched ticket sales, and a marketplace tilted against fans.

Live Nation has long been the poster child for monopoly power in the live entertainment industry. Through its ownership of Ticketmaster and its dominance in concert promotion and venue management, the company has amassed extraordinary control over the live music ecosystem. This has left fans, artists, and independent venues with nowhere else to turn.

If reports are accurate, the roughly $200 million penalty included in the settlement amounts to little more than a slap on the wrist. For a company of Live Nation’s size, that figure is less than a third of a year’s profits. That is the cost of doing business, not a meaningful penalty. Consumers who have been forced to pay inflated ticket prices and junk fees deserve far more.

Equally troubling are reports that Live Nation hired Trump-connected lobbyists while the case was pending and that senior antitrust officials, including antitrust chief Gail Slater, were pushed out of the DOJ during the litigation. That sequence of events raises fundamental questions about whether the outcome of this case was driven by the public interest or by political influence.

When a company accused of monopoly abuses hires well-connected lobbyists, and suddenly the government’s case collapses into a modest fine, consumers have every right to ask whether justice was truly served.

Allowing Live Nation to keep Ticketmaster without meaningful structural remedies would squander a rare opportunity to restore competition to the live entertainment marketplace. For years, fans have watched ticket prices soar while service fees multiply — a system that advocates say reflects a market where competition has been stifled.

The fight, however, is not over. The states that joined this case did so because they recognized the harm that Live Nation’s conduct has inflicted on fans, artists, and independent venues. If the federal government is unwilling to finish the job, state attorneys general must step up and hold Live Nation accountable for years of anti-competitive and anti-consumer conduct.

The company’s credibility with regulators is already in doubt. In a separate case brought by the Federal Trade Commission, regulators allege that Live Nation Entertainment and its Ticketmaster subsidiary misled consumers and enabled practices that undermined the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act, reinforcing concerns that the company has been willing to bend the rules and the truth when dealing with regulators.

Concertgoers deserve a marketplace where competition — not monopoly power — determines the price of a ticket.”

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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 Report: 340B Cancer Hospitals More Likely to Pursue Aggressive Medical Debt Collection

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

Washington, DC – A new analysis from the National Consumers League (NCL) finds that hospitals participating in the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program—including many hospitals that treat high volumes of cancer patients —are more likely than non-340B hospitals to permit aggressive medical debt collection practices such as lawsuits, wage garnishment, liens, and credit reporting.

The data show that 75% of 340B hospitals allow legal action against patients, compared with 62% of non-340B hospitals.

“Our report highlights a troubling reality for Americans facing cancer,” said Lisa Bercu, NCL’s Senior Director of Health Policy. “Hospitals meant to support vulnerable patients are, in many cases, pursuing legal action against them. No one should be forced to choose between survival and financial ruin.”

Medical debt is widespread and damaging. Nearly half of U.S. adults report having medical debt, and cancer patients with debt are three times more likely to delay recommended screenings—jeopardizing their health outcomes.

“After cancer treatment, I drained savings, used work bonuses, launched a GoFundMe, and withdrew from my 401(k),” said Dr. Garrina Ross, metastatic breast cancer thriver and Tigerlily ANGEL Advocate. “Bills went to collections, damaged my credit, and made it difficult to secure housing. Patients should not face financial devastation while hospitals benefit from federal drug discounts tied to their care.”

The analysis reviewed 2,500 hospitals nationwide using data from the Lown Institute, CMS, HRSA, and national claims databases. Among hospitals treating the highest volumes of cancer patients (top 10% nationally), 340B hospitals were consistently more likely than non-340B hospitals to maintain policies permitting aggressive debt collection.

“These findings raise serious questions about whether 340B savings are consistently reaching the patients the program was designed to protect,” Bercu added. “Patients with cancer should not face lawsuits and wage garnishment while hospitals benefit from federal drug discounts.”

As policymakers debate the future of the 340B program, NCL urges stronger accountability measures to ensure patients meaningfully benefit from the program and that hospitals receiving drug discounts do not engage in aggressive debt collection against the very patients the program is intended to support.

Policy Recommendations
  • Strengthen and enforce charity care requirements for 340B hospitals
  • Prohibit aggressive debt practices, including denial of care due to existing medical debt
  • Expand financial assistance screening and transparent billing
  • Exclude medical debt from credit reporting decisions
  • Prohibit transfer of spousal medical debt
  • Support Medicaid expansion and federally qualified health centers
  • Advance federal and state medical debt relief proposals
The full report and recommendations are available here.
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About the National Consumers League (NCL)
Founded in 1899, the National Consumers League is America’s pioneer consumer organization, dedicated to protecting and promoting social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. Learn more at www.nclnet.org.

Top Ten Scams Report: Phishing and Spoofing Scams Nearly Double in 2025 as AI-Powered Fraud Surges

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

Washington, DC – Phishing and spoofing scams soared by 85.6% over the past year, doubling median losses from $1,000 to $2,060, according to the National Consumers League’s Fraud.org Top Ten Scams of 2025 report. Of 1,376 consumer complaints analyzed, investment scams caused the highest median loss at $30,000. 

“Given widespread evidence that scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence tools to craft better pitches, the rise in phishing complaints is particularly concerning,” said NCL Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud John Breyault. “AI enables criminals to quickly generate highly realistic phishing emails and clone voices, making scams more convincing and allowing them to reach more targets than before. This underscores the need for consumers to verify information before trusting it.” 

The changing landscape is evident in attack methods as well. In a dramatic shift, web-based contact has overtaken phone scams as the primary attack vector, with 48% of victims reporting their first interaction with scammers occurred online—marking the end of the robocall era’s dominance.  

The Top Ten Scams categories reported to Fraud.org in 2025 were:    

  • Phishing/Spoofing
    Emails pretending to be from a well-known source ask consumers to enter or confirm personal information. 
  • Internet: General Merchandise
    Goods purchased are either never delivered or misrepresented. 
  • Prizes/Sweepstakes/Free Gifts
    Requests for payment to claim fictitious prizes, lottery winnings, or gifts. 
  • Investment: Other (including cryptocurrency)
    Consumers are tricked into paying money for bogus cryptocurrency investments. 
  • Advance Fee Loans, Credit Arrangers
    False promises of business or personal loans, even if credit is bad, for a fee upfront. 
  • Fake Check Scams
    Consumers are asked to cash fraudulent checks and then send the proceeds to a scammer before the check clears. 
  • Friendship & Sweetheart Swindles
    A con artist nurtures an online relationship, builds trust, and convinces victims to send money. 
  • Family/Friend Imposters
    A scammer calls or emails, claiming that a friend or family member is in distress (in jail, in the hospital, etc.) and urgently needs funds to help. 
  • Home Repair
    Fraud involving contractors or repair services that take payment upfront, perform poor or no work, or disappear before completing promised repairs. 
  • Credit Repair
    Fraud involving companies that promise to fix or improve credit scores for a fee, often using illegal or misleading tactics and failing to deliver real results. 

The National Consumers League’s Top Ten Scams report analyzes 1,376 complaints submitted to Fraud.org in 2025. These complaints are self-reported and do not constitute a nationally representative sample of fraud victims. NCL shares complaint data with a network of law enforcement and consumer protection partners, who combine it with other data sources to identify fraud trends and support enforcement actions.  

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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.