FTC Protects Consumers: Payment Scams, Personalized Pricing, and Child Privacy

This week in 60 seconds

• Humboldt Merchant Services will pay $12 million for helping scam businesses ^[5].
• Nuvei will pay $4.85 million to settle charges of aiding merchant fraud ^[5].
• The FTC extended the comment period for rules about personalized pricing until September 10, 2026 ^[5].
• The FTC released new rules to encourage technology that checks a child's age online ^[8].

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Businesses fined for aiding payment scams

In one line: Two payment processors, Humboldt Merchant Services and Nuvei, were fined millions for helping businesses that scammed customers ^[5].

What happened

• Humboldt Merchant Services must pay $12 million ^[5].
• They are now banned from working with high-risk businesses that might commit fraud ^[5].
• Nuvei will pay $4.85 million ^[5].
• Nuvei must also put in place stronger checks for the businesses they work with ^[5].

Why it matters to you

• These actions mean fewer scam businesses can process payments and trick you out of money.
• It shows that companies helping scammers will face consequences.

Quick facts

• Who is affected: Consumers who were scammed by businesses using these payment processors ^[5].
• Amount: $12 million from Humboldt Merchant Services, $4.85 million from Nuvei ^[5].
• How to act: Be careful when giving payment information to unfamiliar businesses online.

FTC wants your thoughts on personalized pricing

In one line: The FTC has extended the time for people to share their opinions on rules about personalized pricing ^[5].

What happened

• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) asked for public comments on a new policy ^[5].
• This policy is about personalized pricing, where different people see different prices for the same product ^[5].
• The deadline to submit comments has been extended by seven days ^[5].

Why it matters to you

• Personalized pricing could mean you pay more than someone else for the same item or service.
• Your comments help the FTC decide how to protect you from unfair pricing practices.

Quick facts

• Who is affected: All consumers who shop online or use services where prices might change based on who you are ^[5].
• Deadline to file: September 10, 2026 ^[5].
• How to act: You can submit your comments to the FTC about personalized pricing before the deadline ^[5].

New rules to protect children online

In one line: The FTC issued a new policy to encourage technology that helps verify a child's age online ^[8].

What happened

• The FTC released a new policy statement ^[8].
• This policy aims to promote age-verification technology to protect children online ^[8].
• The policy makes it easier for companies to use these technologies without fear of certain enforcement actions ^[8].

Why it matters to you

• This helps make the internet safer for children by ensuring online services know if a user is a child.
• It helps protect your child's privacy and personal information when they are online.

Quick facts

• Who is affected: Children using online services and their parents ^[8].
• How to act: Be aware of the tools and protections available for your children online. Report concerns to the FTC if you believe a company is violating child privacy rules ^[8].

"Protecting children is not optional, it is the law," said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. ^[9]

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This weekly briefing is generated from publicly available materials (SEC, FTC, DOJ, CFPB, CourtListener) for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Verify details with the linked primary sources.