FTC settlement order bans sales of Genshin Impact loot boxes to kids under 16 without their parents' consent

January 17, 2025

Andrew Rayo

If you don’t know what a loot box is, just ask any kid in your life to explain it. While you’re at it, ask them about the video game Genshin Impact. Then tell them about why the FTC just sued the game’s developer HoYoverse (Cognosphere Pte. Ltd and Cognosphere, LLC) for its confusing loot box system that costs players a LOT of money.

State of the Bureau: A BCP Progress Report

January 16, 2025

Samuel Levine

On Monday I leave the FTC after eight wonderful years, most recently leading the Bureau of Consumer Protection. I cannot imagine more fulfilling work. Consumer protection has been my passion since law school, when I advocated for families fighting to stay in their homes after the financial crisis. That experience taught me the importance of a muscular government – one ready to take on powerful interests to protect people from economic abuses. Fifteen years later, I’m proud to leave behind a Bureau that is stronger than ever in advancing that mission.

State of the Bureau: A BCP Progress Report

January 16, 2025

Samuel Levine

Dealing with spam texts, emails, and junk mail

January 24, 2025

Andrew Rayo

If it’s not scammers spamming your phone with texts or filling up your inbox with emails, it’s your mailbox crammed with ads and other mail you didn’t ask for. The junk messages and mail might seem endless, but there are some ways to help scale it back.

Scam alert: QR code on an unexpected package

January 23, 2025

Alvaro Puig

An unexpected package from an unknown sender arrives in your name. You open it and find a note that says it’s a gift, but it doesn't say who sent it. The note also says to scan a QR code to find out who sent it — or to get instructions on how to return it. Did someone really send you a gift? Or is it an attempt to steal your personal information?

Consumer Alert

Have you ordered your NCPW materials yet?

Ari Lazarus

Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

January 21, 2020

March is right around the corner, and you know what that means….it’s almost time for National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW)! This year, NCPW is March 1-7, 2020. That’s just over a month away, so now’s the time to jump into planning.

NCPW is the time of year when government agencies, consumer protection groups, and people like YOU work together to help people understand their consumer rights and make well-informed decisions about money. Want to join in? Here are some ideas:

Help your family, friends and community avoid scams. Order free materials to hand out in English or Spanish. Order by February 1st to ensure delivery by NCPW.
Plan a consumer protection event in your community. Find ideas at ftc.gov/ncpw for how you can get involved.
Reach out to the military community. The FTC’s Military Consumer Toolkit can help get you started.
Visit ftc.gov/ncpw for even more tips and resources.