“ significant problem ” for crypto-asset markets .
“ This issue appears to be getting worse , as fraud and scams make up more than half of ‘ virtual currency ’ complaints received thus far in 2022 ,” the CFPB says in its complaint bulletin .
“ Our analysis of consumer complaints suggests that bad actors are leveraging crypto-assets to perpetrate fraud on the public ,” CFPB Director Rohit Chopra says in a statement . “ People should be wary of anyone seeking upfront payment in cryptoassets , since this may be a scam . We will continue our work to keep the payments system safe from fraudsters targeting Americans .”
Consumers reported several different types of cryptocurrency scams to the CFPB , including romance scams , scams where bad actors impersonate influencers or customer service reps and what is known as “ pig butchering ,” according to the agency .
Pig butchering is when “ fraudsters pose as financial successes and spend time gaining the victim ’ s confidence and trust , coaching victims through setting up crypto-asset accounts .”
The CFPB warned that cryptocurrency assets are a “ common target ” for hackers who focus on older consumers and servicemembers in addition to general cryptocurrency investors .
In total , crypto fraud complaints from consumers “ describe a wide range of account access and dispute resolution issues ,” including “ platform bankruptcies where their assets are indefinitely frozen , weeks-long waits due to account access problems , hours-long platform outages , difficulty executing transactions and poor customer service ,” according to the CFPB .
PUR mascara class action claims product contains dangerous PFAS
PUR markets itself as a “ clean ” beauty brand , but sells mascara with harmful chemicals in it , a new class action lawsuit alleges .
Plaintiff Rachel Galarsa filed the class action complaint against Astral Health & Beauty Inc . ( PUR Cosmetics ) Nov . 9 in a California federal court , alleging violations of state and federal consumer laws .
According to the lawsuit , PUR Fully Charged Mascara is unfit for its intended use because it contains unsafe per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances ( PFAS ).
Galarsa says PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals known to be harmful to both humans and the environment .
“ PFAS have been shown to have a number of toxicological effects in laboratory studies and have been associated with thyroid disorders , immunotoxic effects , and various cancers in epidemiology studies ,” she says .
Independent research commissioned by Galarsa and performed at Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories revealed the mascara contained PFAS that are known to harm human health , the lawsuit alleges .
“ These findings are particularly worrisome in the context of Defendant ’ s packaging which describes the Product to consumers but makes no mention of the existence of PFAS ,” Galarsa says .
“ Even more disconcerting , Defendant has built its reputation leading consumers to believe that their Products are free of such toxic , harmful chemicals .”
Galarsa says PUR leads consumers to believe that it has “ redefined clean beauty ” with “ good- for-you products .” She says she believed she was supporting a company that did not use toxic chemicals in its products .
“ Plaintiff would not have purchased Defendant ’ s Products on the same terms had she known that Defendant ’ s Products are made with PFAS , and pose a significant health risk to unsuspecting consumers ,” the lawsuit states .
Galarsa seeks to represent anyone in the United States who purchased the affected products from PUR , plus a California subclass . She ’ s suing under state consumer laws and federal warranty laws , and for fraud and unjust enrichment . The lawsuit seeks certification of the class action , damages , fees , costs and a jury trial .
Batiste dry shampoo class action claims product has dangerously high levels of benzene
Batiste dry shampoo contains dangerously high levels of benzene , a carcinogenic impurity that has been linked to leukemia and other cancers , a new class action lawsuit alleges .
Plaintiffs Eden Amadril and Ariana Skurauskis filed the class action complaint against Church & Dwight Co . Inc . on Nov . 8 in a California federal court , alleging violations of state and federal consumer laws .
According to the Batiste dry shampoo lawsuit , Church & Dwight makes and sells the Batiste dry shampoo , and the shampoo contains benzene , a known
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