TINA.org’s Year in Review 2024

Looking back at our accomplishments.

FTC Bans Online High Schools from Diploma Business

Agency alleged websites misled students into purchasing “worthless” diplomas.

TINA’s Take: How FIFA’s Online Version Exploits Consumers

Gimme the loot (boxes).

Almay Online Ads

Timeline

A brief history of deceptive advertising.

Can you trust an online review?

In the fall of 2010, Todd Rutherford launched GettingBookReviews.com, a marketing service for self-published authors that provided book reviews for cash. Soon, he was making $28,000 a month writing reviews,…

Scientific Games Online Casino Games

Allegations: misleadingly representing that its online casino games are free-to-play

TINA.org Reports Online Retailer FabKids to Regulators; Investigation Reveals Deceptive Marketing of Negative-Option Offer

MADISON, CONN. August 30, 2021 – With ads for a blockbuster “2 pairs from $9.95” sale on kids shoes, online footwear and clothing retailer FabKids knows how to lure in…

Stephen Ridley’s ‘Free Online Piano Masterclass’

Why this piano man may not give you the keys to success.

Earn a Ph.D Degree Online

Earn a PhD Degree Online, says this spam email. Where does the link in the email take you? (Don’t click on links in spam emails. We do it here at…

Protecting Junior’s Privacy Online

New COPPA rules go into effect July 1.

Sunfield High School

Sunfield High School, an online high school, offers to test you and send you a high school diploma for $249. But it’s a scam. Sunfield High School claims to be…

Consumers Getting Smoked by E-Cigs

Consumers complain to feds that various e-cig companies are fleecing them into repeated credit card charges for vapor products.

Online Shoppers Law Finally Called into Action

ROSCA’s no longer a virgin.

$3 Blue Pill

Save tons of money on Viagra? What to know before you jump at this radio ad for the “blue pill.”

2016-2019 Kyäni Income Claims

Playtika’s Online Slot Machine Games

Allegations: Misleadingly representing that games are free

FTC Social Media Actions

See the FTC’s track record when it comes to social media influencer cases.

Bogus Cancer Cures Touted Online Receive FDA Warning

Agency warns that “miracle cures” may also contain dangerous ingredients.

Tinder’s Collection of Biometric Data

Allegations: Misrepresenting that biometric facial scans from video selfies are only used for Photo Verification purposes without adequately disclosing why and how long the dating app was collecting, storing, and…