by Matthew Holloway | Jan 9, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Scammers are targeting veterans with fraudulent fees to register for the National Veterans Golden Age Games, prompting a Federal Trade Commission warning that the VA-hosted event is, and always has been, free for entrants to compete and caregivers, coaches, and loved ones to watch.
The alert was issued in a December 19th Consumer Notice published on the agency’s website.
In its alert, the FTC said veterans have reported finding websites or social media pages that purport to charge a fee to register for the Golden Age Games. According to the notice, these offers are fraudulent and not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Registration for the Games is handled only through VA.gov using verified veteran credentials.
Local veterans and staff with the Phoenix VA Health Care System have long participated in the National Veterans Golden Age Games, with the system’s adaptive sports clinic helping prepare competitors for the event. In June, VA officials in Phoenix publicly recognized a team of Arizona veterans who won multiple medals at the Games. This local involvement underscores the importance of protecting veterans from bad actors online who charge illegitimate fees for an event that is officially free.
The National Veterans Golden Age Games is organized by the VA’s Veterans Sports Programs to promote health, wellness, and physical activity among older veterans. The FTC notice states the Games are free for veterans, coaches, caregivers, and spectators, and that official registration for the 2026 Games, scheduled for June 27 through July 2 in Tampa, Florida, will open January 28, 2026. Registration is only available through VA.gov using an ID.me account. Any online offer claiming immediate registration or requiring payment is likely a scam.
FTC Consumer Sentinel Network data show that Arizona residents filed more than 54,000 fraud reports in 2024, including thousands from military consumers, resulting in more than $336 million in reported losses statewide. Fraud involving imposter schemes, such as fake government fees or event registrations, was one of the top complaint categories among Arizona consumers.
The FTC recommends registering only through official VA channels and avoiding sharing login information or personal credentials with third-party websites. Veterans and families encountering potential fraud schemes are encouraged to report them through ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
The Arizona Attorney General’s Office also maintains a scam-reporting portal and consumer alerts for veteran-related fraud, directing residents to file complaints through the AG Office’s website or the FTC’s federal system.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Jonathan Eberle | Nov 30, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Amazon has agreed to pay a total of $2.5 billion in penalties and customer refunds to resolve a federal lawsuit alleging the company improperly enrolled users in its Prime membership program and made it difficult for them to cancel, according to a settlement announced on Sept. 25. The agreement stems from a 2023 Federal Trade Commission (FTC) lawsuit accusing Amazon of using deceptive design tactics—often called “dark patterns”—that allegedly pushed customers into Prime subscriptions without their informed consent. The company has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing but said it is settling the case to move forward.
According to court filings, $1.5 billion of the settlement will be distributed directly to Prime subscribers. Refunds will be capped at $51 per customer and automatically issued to eligible users within 90 days of the settlement taking effect. Those eligible for automatic payments include customers who were enrolled in Prime through specific online flows such as “Single Page Checkout” and similar enrollment pages between June 23, 2019, and June 23, 2025.
The FTC alleged that Amazon knowingly designed confusing interfaces that nudged or steered customers toward Prime subscriptions. The agency said internal documents revealed discussions among company executives acknowledging problems with both the enrollment path and the cancellation process. “Amazon created confusing and deceptive user interfaces to lead consumers to enroll in Prime without their knowledge,” the FTC said in its announcement. The complaint also accused the company of creating a “complex and difficult” cancellation process that impeded users’ ability to leave the service.
Under the settlement terms, Amazon must revise its user interface to ensure clearer options when customers are signing up for—or declining—Prime. That includes a requirement for a prominent ‘decline Prime’ button and more straightforward cancellation tools. In a statement released the same day, Amazon rejected the claims but said the agreement allows the company to avoid prolonged litigation.
“Amazon and our executives have always followed the law, and this settlement allows us to move forward and focus on innovating for customers,” the company said. It added that it works to make Prime enrollment and cancellation “clear and simple” and emphasized the value Prime offers to millions of subscribers worldwide. With the settlement now approved, Amazon will begin issuing refunds and overhauling portions of its checkout and subscription processes. Meanwhile, the company will pay the remaining $1 billion of the settlement as a civil penalty to the federal government.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Sep 17, 2025 | Economy, News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona residents could collectively lose millions of dollars to fake gambling websites this fall, according to a new study analyzing Federal Trade Commission (FTC) scam reports. The report, conducted by online gaming marketplace Chicks Gold, found that Arizona consumers reported $7.9 million in losses between April and June of this year from scams linked to fake gambling and gaming sites. Analysts warn those numbers could rise sharply as the NFL season, the most bet-on sport in the United States, fuels a wave of online wagering.
“Scammers know there’s likely to be a surge in inexperienced bettors searching online for wagering platforms,” said Al Alof, CEO of Chicks Gold and spokesperson for the study. “That makes them especially vulnerable to fake sportsbooks or offers that appear too good to be true.”
The study examined scams across five FTC subcategories connected to fraudulent gambling platforms: malware and exploits, online shopping, tech support, social networking, and prizes, sweepstakes, and lotteries. Nationally, 106,531 reports were filed in Q2, totaling nearly $192 million in losses, or an average of $1,965 per report. Arizona’s losses were significantly higher: 2,830 reports led to nearly $7.95 million stolen, averaging $2,811 per report—43% higher than the national average.
The most damaging category for Arizona residents was prizes, sweepstakes, and lotteries, which accounted for $4.1 million lost across just 408 reports, averaging more than $10,000 per incident. That placed Arizona sixth in the nation for per-report losses linked to these types of scams, behind Montana, Maine, South Dakota, Wyoming, and North Dakota.
According to the study, fraudulent gambling and gaming operations exploit consumers in several ways:
- Malware and exploits: Fake casino sites that prompt users to download spyware disguised as “mods” or “cheat tools.”
- Online shopping scams: Fake sites selling in-game items, currency, or memberships that never arrive.
- Tech support fraud: Pop-ups or sham help desks convincing players to share sensitive information.
- Social networking scams: Fake or hijacked profiles distributing phishing links in gaming communities.
- Prizes, sweepstakes, and lotteries: Lures promising jackpots or loot boxes that require upfront payment or personal data.
“These scams thrive on community and urgency,” Alof said. “Gamers searching for new releases or fans eager to place bets can be tricked into handing over money or sensitive information.” The rise in gambling scams has also been noted by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), which reports that complaints about online gambling platforms more than doubled since 2023. Users described problems ranging from malfunctioning slot games and altered wagers to deceptive ads and phishing attempts.
To protect themselves, Alof urged consumers to:
- Verify licensing and URLs: Legitimate sportsbooks are licensed by state regulators. Misspelled domains or unofficial app stores are red flags.
- Avoid unrealistic offers: “Guaranteed wins” or oversized bonuses are often bait for scams.
- Use secure payments: Credit cards or PayPal provide better protection than wire transfers or gift cards. Enabling two-factor authentication also reduces risk.
Analysts caution that both sports bettors and traditional gamers face exposure. Beyond the NFL betting surge, Alof noted that the release of popular video games creates another avenue for fraud. When legitimate gaming sites crash under demand, players may turn to unverified download links, which scammers exploit. With Arizona already posting losses above the national average, experts warn vigilance will be crucial in the months ahead.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Aug 20, 2025 | Education, News
By Ethan Faverino |
In a unanimous decision, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has dismissed its lawsuit against Grand Canyon University (GCU) and its CEO, Brian Mueller, bringing an end to years of coordinated lawfare by former Biden administration officials targeting the university.
The lawsuit, previously dismissed by the United States District Court of Arizona on jurisdictional grounds, was fully resolved through a joint Stipulation of Dismissal with Prejudice.
FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson, joined by Commissioners Melissa Holyoak and Mark Meador, issued a statement citing recent developments that influenced the decision.
The statement reads:
“This case, which we inherited from the previous administration, was filed nearly two years ago and has suffered losses in two motions to dismiss. These losses are compounded by recent events: Grand Canyon secured a victory over the Department of Education in a related matter before the Ninth Circuit; the Department of Education rescinded a massive fine levied on related grounds; and the Internal Revenue Service confirmed that Grand Canyon University is properly claiming 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation designation. In its reduced form, this case presents consumers very little upside relative to the cost of pursuing it to completion, especially given the developments chronicled above. We view it as imprudent to continue expending Commission resources on a lost cause. Because we have a duty to maximize consumers’ return on their tax-dollars investment, we have decided against pursuing this matter any further.”
GCU President Brian Mueller expressed gratitude for the FTC’s objective review, noting that multiple agencies and courts have consistently ruled in GCU’s favor.
“They threw everything they had at us for four years, and yet, despite every unjust accusation leveled against us, we have not only survived but have continued to thrive as a university,” President Mueller said. “That is a testament, first and foremost, to the strength and dedication of our faculty, staff, students, and their families. Above all, it speaks to our unwavering belief that the truth would ultimately prevail.”
The FTC lawsuit was part of a broader, coordinated campaign by former Biden administration officials, including the Department of Education (ED) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), to target GCU with duplicative investigations and lawsuits.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Jul 28, 2025 | Economy, News
By Ethan Faverino |
Arizona’s elderly population is facing a devastating wave of fraud, with seniors aged 60-69 losing a staggering $12,555,627 to scams in the first quarter of 2025, according to a new study done by cryptocurrency exchange ChicksX.
The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Consumer Sentinel Network data reveals that 31.3% of Arizona residents in this age group targeted by fraudsters have suffered financial losses, with a median per-person loss of $1,000, nearly double the national average of $597.
The most common scams targeting Arizona seniors include business imposters (393 reports), government imposters (266 reports), and online shopping frauds (148 reports).
These scams exploit the trust of the elderly often through official-sounding phone calls, emails, or fake online deals.
Arizona ranks among the top states for fraud losses per report, with a per-report loss 99.8% higher than the national average.
The impact of fraud extends beyond the 60-69 age group. Arizona residents aged 70-79 filed 1,457 fraud reports with 29.3% resulting in financial loss, average $3,000 per person.
Those aged 80 and over reported 535 cases, with 28.8% losing funds at a median of $3,640 per incident.
In total, Arizona residents aged 50 and older lost over $41 million to fraud in Q1 of 2025.
“Fraudsters know that seniors may be more trusting, less familiar with online platforms or purchases, or unaware of how sophisticated modern scam attempts have become,” said CEO of ChicksX, Al Alof. “It’s essential that families and communities talk openly about these risks and the warning sign to prevent vulnerable individuals from falling victim.”
Nationally, 60,379 fraud reports were filed by those aged 60-69 in Q1 of 2025, with 29% resulting in financial losses totaling $354.9 million. Arizona ranks third among the hardest-hit states.
The states with the highest average fraud losses per report for this age group are:
- Alaska: $1,415 per report (121 reports, 26.4% with loss)
- North Dakota: $1,404 per report (79 reports, 39.2% with loss)
- Kansas: $1,000 per report (488 reports, 21.1% with loss)
The states with the lowest average fraud losses per report for this age group are:
- Vermont: $149 per report (118 reports, 24.6% with loss)
- South Dakota: $170 per report (118 reports, 44.1% with loss)
- Maine: $174 per report (396 reports, 18.9% with loss)
Al Alof and ChicksX share that the three tips to help avoid falling victim to fraud are, be suspicious of deals that are “too good to be true,” don’t answer calls that are unfamiliar, specifically ones that claim to be from Social Security or Medicaid, and ask family for help with unfamiliar phone calls or emails.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
