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.

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.   

SCOTUS Decision Is an Opportunity to End Anti-Consumer Tariffs

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

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League applauds today’s decision by the Supreme Court of the United States, striking down President Trump’s sweeping tariff program, which is a major victory for American consumers and a rebuke of a costly experiment that functioned as a hidden tax on families.  

The following statement is attributable to John Breyault, National Consumers League Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications and Fraud:  

“For months, shoppers have been forced to shoulder tariff-related junk fees, price hikes, and supply chain disruptions that had little clear economic justification. These tariffs didn’t protect consumers — they punished them.  

The Court’s ruling should close the door — permanently — on this anti-consumer tariff regime. These tariffs operated as a nationwide price hike affecting everything from household goods to everyday essentials. American families should not be collateral damage in an ideologically driven trade policy.”  

The White House should respect both the spirit and the letter of this ruling and refrain from attempting to resurrect these sweeping tariffs under alternative statutory authorities. Repackaging the same policy under a different legal label would only prolong economic uncertainty and continue to squeeze household budgets.  

At a time when families are struggling with affordability, federal policy should be laser-focused on lowering costs and promoting competition — not reviving broad-based tariffs that act as hidden taxes at the checkout counter.” 

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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 Applauds Subcommittee Passage of Safety is Not For Sale, PART Act

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

Washington, DC – The House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade on Tuesday reported 12 bills to full committee that seek to improve roadway safety, strengthen American automobile manufacturing, and protect vehicle owners from unfair business practices. The National Consumers League (NCL) submitted a letter for the record, urging Congress to enact critical reforms to save lives, reduce injuries, support innovation, and spur economic growth.

“The death and destruction on our nation’s roads does not have to be the price we pay for commuting to work, dropping the kids off at school, or picking up groceries,” the letter states. “We applaud you for seeking to reduce the unacceptable loss of life, physical injuries, and economic costs attributable to motor vehicle crashes.”

“NCL strongly supports the Safety is Not for Sale Act, as such legislation is vital to ensuring consumers have more affordable access to life-saving automobile safety features,” the letter continues. “NCL found that some advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) are sold as luxury items that must be purchased for an extra fee or as part of expensive add-on packages. These additional costs may put these life-saving technologies out of reach for many Americans.”

NCL also expressed support for the PART Act, which requires the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to mandate that catalytic converters be affixed with antitheft markings, establishes a grant program to facilitate the marking of catalytic converters currently deployed in interstate commerce, and increases criminal penalties for catalytic converter theft.

“We are encouraged that the Committee is taking action to prevent catalytic converter theft, which has become a major consumer and environmental protection issue,” the letter states.

A copy of the letter can be found HERE.

This month, 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.   

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.   

National Consumers League Commends FDA for Swift Action Against Hims & Hers

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

Washington, DC – You can fool some of the people some of the time and all of the people some of the time. But you can’t fool all of the people all the time. On Friday, February 6, the Food and Drug Administration announced it would stop the telehealth platform Hims & Hers from marketing a compounded version of the first FDA-approved GLP-1 weight-loss pill. On Saturday, Hims & Hers said it was withdrawing the product from the market, and the FDA did not pursue enforcement action.

“Consumers deserve safe, proven medications — not copycat drugs dressed up by slick marketing. The FDA’s decisive action sends an important message: patient safety is not optional, and no company is above the law,” says Nancy Glick, Director of Food, Nutrition, and Obesity at the National Consumers League.

For too long, compounders like Hims & Hers have been battling “big pharma” by selling inexpensive products that the FDA has repeatedly warned are “risky for patients.” These compounded drugs are untested, not FDA approved, and can cause dosing errors, severe side effects, and, in some cases, death. But without strong FDA oversight and aggressive enforcement by state boards of pharmacy, these warnings have been drowned out by multi-million-dollar marketing campaigns, including glitzy Super Bowl ads, that promote a misleading narrative: GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are virtually the same as FDA-approved versions, only cheaper and more convenient.

Hims & Hers’ gambit to market a knockoff of the new GLP-1 pill was the bridge too far. The FDA-approved drug is made with a special nanotechnology that cannot be copied by compounders– not even close. That quickly became apparent, and the audacity of Hims & Hers’ actions could not be ignored.

The National Consumers League applauds the FDA for its swift action against Hims & Hers and hopes this marks the start of a robust FDA effort to rein in an exploitative market where sellers routinely push boundaries, believing regulators are not watching.

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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.   

FTC Forces Transparency Reforms on Express Scripts in Landmark Settlement

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

Washington, DC – Today, the National Consumers League (NCL) applauds the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for securing a landmark settlement with one of the nation’s largest pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), Express Scripts, Inc., and its affiliated entities. The settlement requires Express Scripts to make significant changes to its business practices that will, among other things, increase transparency, base patients’ out-of-pocket expenses on the drug’s net cost rather than the artificially inflated list price, and increase fairness in community pharmacy reimbursement.

“For too long, pharmacy benefit managers have operated with little transparency, leaving patients and community pharmacies to bear the consequences,” said NCL’s CEO Sally Greenberg. “This settlement advances reforms NCL has long championed, greater transparency, accountability, and fairer practices that put patients first, and we appreciate the FTC’s leadership in moving this work forward.”

The FTC’s action addresses longstanding concerns about PBM practices that have contributed to inflated drug prices and higher patient costs.  These actions are expected to lower patients’ out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs like insulin by up to $7 billion over the next decade and deliver millions of dollars in new annual revenue to community pharmacies.

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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.