24/7 LiveSan FranciscoEast BaySouth BayPeninsulaNorth Bay
Welcome, Mickey
mickey@disney.com
Manage MyDisney Account
Log Out

CONSUMER CATCH-UP: San Francisco sues travel websites for deceptive practices, major broadcasters drop e-cigarette ads, and authorities warn of new Venmo scams

BySimone Chavoor KGO logo
Friday, September 20, 2019
CONSUMER CATCH-UP: San Francisco sues travel websites for deceptive practices, major broadcasters drop e-cigarette ads, and more
CONSUMER CATCH-UP: San Francisco City Attorney sues travel websites JustFly and FlightHub for deceptive practices, major broadcasters drop Juul and other e-cigarette ads, and authorities warn of new Venmo phishing scams.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Major broadcasters ban Juul and e-cigarette ads



Large broadcasters are pulling ads from Juul and other electronic cigarette makers amid growing health concerns.



After CNN revealed to the Daily Beast last week that it would drop all e-cigarette ads, parent company WarnerMedia followed. Viacom also made the decision to pull the ads. Networks affected by this change include CBS, TNT, TBS, BET and Nickelodeon.



The Centers for Disease Control are currently investigating a link between vaping and an outbreak of lung disease. Also of concern is the rising number of teenagers who use the devices. "Given warnings from the CDC, the AMA and the American Lung Association to consumers, our company has revised its policies regarding e-cigarette advertising, and will no longer accept advertising for this category," said WarnerMedia spokesperson Jennifer Toner.





Authorities warn of new Venmo scams



Authorities are advising consumers to be cautious when using Venmo because of new scams that exploit the mobile payment service.



Venmo, which is owned by PayPal, has been a popular means for scammers to obtain personal and banking information that is distributed and sold on the dark web. Scammers have been targeting users with text messages that direct to a fake website closely resembling the app's appearance. The message asks users to log into their accounts to dispute an unusual charge. The fake website reportedly allows users to easily access their accounts, but requests additional information in order to confirm the user's identity. According to Consumer Affairs, scammers often target apps used to move money, and Venmo has been no exception.





San Francisco files suit against travel websites JustFly, FlightHub for deceptive practices



San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera has filed a suit against the companies that operate the online travel sites JustFly and FlightHub.



The JustFly website is a popular travel site for consumers to compare flight prices and book flights. The lawsuit, filed today in San Francisco Superior Court, claims unlawful and deceptive business practices which include an array of hidden fees, bait-and-switch advertising, misleading disclosures, and other scams. "JustFly is not in the travel business. They're in the hidden fee business," said Herrera. The lawsuit alleges the defendant companies violated several laws like California's unfair competition law and California's Seller of Travel Law.



Herrera is seeking restitution for consumers for the money that the defendant companies received unlawfully. Herrera hopes the defendants will pay a civil penalty and a court order that stops them from future unlawful practices.





Take a look at more stories and videos by Michael Finney and 7 On Your Side.



Copyright © 2024 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Related

CONSUMER CATCH-UP: GPS trackers found to leak location data, Galaxy Fold pre-orders canceled, and the 3 things to shop for in September

    CONSUMER CATCH-UP: AT&T declared 'best network' by testing firm, Target releases list of hot toys, and Amazon reportedly testing hand-scan checkout systems

      CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Prep for phones before Hurricane Dorian, stem cell therapy company warned by FDA, and 24,000 pounds of beef recalled

        CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Ford recalls 10 vehicle models for multiple issues, dental offices crippled by ransomware attack, and RH recalls chairs due to lead paint

          CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Travel companies announce Hurricane Dorian plans, new scam purports to be from U.S. Marshals, and pill bottles recalled due to child safety risk

            CONSUMER CATCH-UP: United Airlines' frequent flyer miles no longer expire, Toyota recalls cars for airbag issues yet again, and Tesla to offer its customers car insurance policies

              CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Carriers, state Attorneys General form anti-robocall coalition, DoorDash changes tipping policy, Amazon carries banned products, and consumers make better decisions when angry

                CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Smart speakers may connect consumers to scammers, Google announces 'privacy sandbox' initiative, and Apple's new credit card requires serious care and cleaning

                  CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Toyota recalls RAV4s over backup camera issue, YouTube shuts down in-app messaging, and an unprotected server exposed MoviePass user data

                    CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Facebook adding controls for data accessed by third parties, wireless carriers found to throttle video streams, and Spotify to allow parents to filter explicit content

                      CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Tesla to rent solar panels, 2019 on track to set record for most data breaches, and the Tooth Fairy's leaving kids less cash

                        CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Mercury ordered to pay largest-ever insurance fine, Tyson recalls chicken patties, and Palm offers $5 phone plan

                          CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Credit Karma exposes user data, and WalletHub lists cheapest, most expensive cars to insure

                            CONSUMER CATCH-UP: FAA bans recalled MacBooks from U.S. flights, FCC Chairman recommends approving Sprint, T-Mobile merger, and clothing retailer Avenue to close

                              CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Motorized awnings recalled after injuries, death, lawmakers ask for transparency in 'Amazon's Choice' program, and Domino's to deliver via e-bike

                                CONSUMER CATCH-UP: CFPB delays rule to make car title loans less risky, Chase forgives Canadians' debt, and robocall-blocking apps may violate user privacy

                                  CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Ford recalls SUVs with rollaway risk, IRS may revoke passports of those with major tax debt, and Consumer Reports urges FTC action over hotel 'resort fees'

                                    CONSUMER CATCH-UP: FCC and FEMA to test emergency alert system, finances seen as one of the most taboo topics, and Google outlines efforts to go carbon-neutral

                                      CONSUMER CATCH-UP: CFPB rule change might make it harder to get mortgages, Poshmark hacked, and AirPods get a new sharing feature

                                        CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Audi recalls cars with faulty airbags, researchers list the most- and least-stolen new cars, and more scooter companies will be permitted in SF

                                          CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Retailers sued over 'Edison' lightbulbs, FTC warns of fake Equifax claim websites, and Impossible Burgers to hit grocery store shelves

                                            CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Next steps for consumers after Capital One hack, FTC's new interactive robocall website, and almost a third of delivery drivers eat customers' food

                                              CONSUMER CATCH-UP: IRS warns Bitcoin users to pay their taxes, Regal Cinemas offers 'unlimited' movie program, and Acura recalls cars over driveshaft issue

                                                CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Samsung's foldable smartphone to launch in September, FitBits may not work on darker skin tones, and Mazda recalls cars over headrests

                                                  CONSUMER CATCH-UP: DoorDash changes controversial tipping policy, Nintendo offers repair for 'Joy-Con drift' on Switch, and Trek recalls Kickster bikes

                                                    CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Boppy recalls infant accessories, FTC urged to investigate Amazon over paid endorsements, and GNC to close 900 stores

                                                      CONSUMER CATCH-UP: P&G launching 'smart diapers,' online searches for canceling Prime membership peaked on Prime Day, and Twitter tweaks its design again

                                                        CONSUMER CATCH-UP: CVS recalls eyedrops, Apple warns of spoofed calls, and Tesla could become part of Walt Disney World

                                                          CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Toyota tests new car roof solar cells, Apple redesigns MacBook keyboards, and teen employment rates stagnant

                                                            CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Summer toy dangers, drugmakers push back against including prices in ads, and Frito-Lay recalls select barbecue-flavored chips

                                                              Live Streams
                                                              ON NOW