Consumer Alerts

OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued the following statement regarding the firing of Gail Slater, head of the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division, an action that continues the Trump Administration’s relentless attacks on the federal watchdogs responsible for keeping life affordable for Americans:

“From President Trump’s efforts to dismantle the CFPB, to instituting tariffs that have raised prices on nearly everything, and now, firing the head of the federal DOJ’s antitrust office tasked with protecting fairness in the marketplace, it’s abundantly clear: The Trump Administration is more concerned with protecting corporate interests than making life affordable for American families. While our billionaire President may dismiss 'affordability' as a hoax, people across the nation are being forced to pay increasingly higher bills with increasingly emptier wallets. Allowing big corporations to raise prices and push competitors out of the marketplace with impunity will only worsen this crisis. While the federal government has abdicated its responsibility to look out for people’s economic wellbeing — in California, we never will. My office has led the nation in consumer protection and antitrust work for decades, and we will continue to do so. While President Trump is abandoning the economy that everyday Americans experience, we are standing up to tackle America's affordability crisis.”

Antitrust enforcement is an essential component of a healthy economy. Competitive marketplaces established through antitrust vigilance help consumers by ensuring fair prices for goods and services, an array of products to choose from, quality goods and services, and the steady introduction of innovative new products. As part of the Attorney General’s commitment to enforce antitrust laws, the California Department of Justice has launched an Antitrust Complaint Form for people to report anticompetitive conduct that potentially violates the antitrust laws.

If you see hawking — or suspicious ticket reselling — be a patriot and submit a complaint

OAKLAND — Ahead of Super Bowl LX, taking place in Santa Clara, California, California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a consumer alert warning football fans of counterfeit Super Bowl tickets and scammers. In today’s alert, Attorney General Bonta reminds Californians to exercise caution in their online transactions and provides tips to avoid falling victim to ticket scams. 

“We all enjoy going to live shows and games to see our favorite artists or sports teams, but unfortunately scammers prey on our excitement,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Today I remind Californians: If you see hawking — or suspicious ticket reselling — protect yourself by following the tips we provide. If you have fallen victim to a scam or suspect fraudulent activity, be a patriot and submit a complaint. You can file a report with my office at oag.ca.gov/report as well as the Better Business Bureau and the FBI’s Internet Complaint Center.” 

Protect Yourself from Ticket Scams: 

• Purchase tickets from authorized vendors: When possible, always purchase your tickets directly from official websites to confirm the ticket's authenticity.
• Know the refund policy: Before purchasing third-party resale tickets, look into the reseller’s refund policy and whether they offer a guarantee regarding the authenticity and timely arrival of the tickets.
• Protect your personal information: Never provide personal information, such as your Social Security number or bank account number to prevent financial loss and fraud.
• Verify the web address safety: Double-check the website URL by ensuring the link starts with “https://” and has a padlock icon to ensure your credit card and billing information remain safe.
• Do your research: Search for online reviews regarding the seller and any potential customer complaints for prior scams.
• Use secure payment methods: Consider using your credit card to ensure that you have an opportunity to dispute fraudulent charges. Avoid using instant payment platforms like Zelle, Venmo, and Cash App, or you could risk never getting your money back. Do not pay for tickets with gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Demands for payment using those methods are a strong warning sign of a scam.
• Be wary of overly discounted tickets: Be extra cautious with low-priced and/or hard-to-get tickets. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. 

If consumers have fallen victim to a ticket scam, they can file a complaint with our office at oag.ca.gov/report. Consumers can also report the incident to the Better Business Bureau and the FBI’s Internet Complaint Center.

OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a consumer alert following the Governor’s declaration of a state of emergency in response to increased risk of debris flow due to incoming rain and snow in areas affected by the Pack Fire in Mono County. The Pack Fire ignited on November 13 near Lake Crowley in the eastern Sierra Nevada, and was fully contained on December 3, destroying 30 residential and commercial structures and damaging six others. In today’s alert, Attorney General Bonta reminds all Californians that price gouging during a state of emergency is illegal under Penal Code Section 396. Californians who believe they have been the victim of price gouging should report it to their local authorities or to the Attorney General at oag.ca.gov/report. To view a list of all price gouging restrictions currently in effect as a result of proclamations by the Governor, please visit the Governor's Office of Emergency Services Price Gouging webpage. 

“As incoming precipitation and snowfall threatens to increase the risk of debris flow from the Pack Fire, I urge Californians who reside in Mono County to listen to communication from officials and keep safe. California’s price gouging law protects people impacted by an emergency from illegal price gouging on housing, gas, food, and other essential supplies,” said Attorney General Bonta. “If you see price gouging — or if you've been the victim of it — I encourage you to immediately file a complaint with my office online at oag.ca.gov/report or contact your local police department or sheriff’s office.” 

California law generally prohibits charging a price that exceeds, by more than 10%, the price a seller charged for an item before a state or local declaration of emergency. For items a seller only began selling after an emergency declaration, the law generally prohibits charging a price that exceeds the seller's cost of the item by more than 50%. This law applies to those who sell food, emergency supplies, medical supplies, building materials, and gasoline. The law also applies to repair or reconstruction services, emergency cleanup services, transportation, freight and storage services, hotel accommodations, and rental housing. Exceptions to this prohibition exist if, for example, the price of labor, goods, or materials has increased for the business.

Violations of the price gouging statute are misdemeanors that are subject to criminal prosecution that can result in imprisonment and/or a fine. They can also result in civil enforcement actions, including civil penalties of up to $2,500 per violation, injunctive relief, and restitution. The Attorney General and local district attorneys and city prosecutors can enforce the statute.

OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a consumer alert reminding consumers and lenders that credit discrimination remains illegal, under both California law and federal law. In October, as part of the Trump Administration’s continued gutting of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the CFPB prematurely terminated the consent order that documented its settlement with Citibank for allegedly discriminating against Armenian-American credit card applicants in Southern California, sending a strong message of the Trump Administration’s abandonment of these critical protections for consumers. 

“Credit discrimination remains illegal in California and throughout the United States. The Trump Administration’s premature termination of the settlement with Citibank for discriminating against Armenian-American applicants in California is alarming and no doubt another sign of the Bureau abandoning its obligation to protect the American people from unfair treatment by big corporations,” said Attorney General Bonta. “This, however, is not a sign that no one is looking. Let me be very clear: I will use the force of my office against financial institutions that deny brighter financial futures to Californians on the basis of their sex, race, religion or any protected characteristics.”

What is Credit Discrimination?

Credit discrimination is when a lender makes a decision about offering or denying credit based on a person's race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, military or veteran status, because they receive public assistance, or based on another impermissible basis. Credit discrimination can manifest in various ways, such as consumers being discouraged from applying for credit, being offered less favorable terms such as higher interest rates or higher fees, or being refused credit despite meeting requirements, because of the factors listed above. 

People use credit to take out student loans, open businesses, and buy cars and homes. Building credit helps consumers to build a better future for themselves and future generations. Credit discrimination prevents people from having access to these opportunities and can make credit more expensive.

The Legal Bits: Federal and State Laws Banning Credit Discrimination

Federal and state laws prohibit discrimination by banks, lenders, credit card companies, and other lenders and financial institutions. 

The federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) prohibits financial institutions from discriminating against individuals on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, marital status, age, receipt of public assistance, and other protected characteristics in all aspects of credit transactions, including applications, approvals, and terms and conditions. (15 U.S.C. section 1691 et seq.)

Similarly, the California Unruh Civil Rights Act (Unruh Act) prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, medical condition, age, marital status, sexual orientation, sex, gender, or gender identity, as well as other protected characteristics by any business providing services in the state. (See Cal. Civ. Code section 51 et seq.) In addition to prohibiting discrimination in credit transactions, the Unruh Act prohibits banks, lenders, credit card companies, financial institutions, and other businesses from discrimination in any and all services that the business may provide.

California law also offers specific protections against discrimination in lending for housing finance. Under the Fair Employment and Housing Act, any financial institution that provides financial assistance for the purchase, organization, or construction of any housing accommodation is prohibited from discriminating in the terms or conditions of financing on the basis of protected characteristics, including but not limited to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, familial status, disability, source of income, veteran or military status, and genetic information. (See Cal. Gov’t Code section 12955, subd. (e).) Likewise, California’s Holden Act provides similar protections against discriminatory practices in housing finance. (See Bus. & Prof. Code section 35800 et seq.). And California's Military and Veterans Code prohibits discriminatory practices targeting members of the armed forces. (See Cal. Mil. & Vet. Code section 394).

Report It!

People who believe that they have been denied services or discriminated against because of a protected characteristic, and whistleblowers with information regarding potential violations of state or federal fair lending laws, can file a complaint with:

• The California Attorney General’s Office: oag.ca.gov/report
• The California Civil Rights Department: calcivilrights.ca.gov
• The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation:  dfpi.ca.gov/submit-a-complaint/

OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a consumer alert reminding consumers, healthcare providers, and credit reporting agencies that in California it remains illegal for medical debt to appear on credit reports. Recently, the Trump Administration’s Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued an interpretive rule claiming that federal law generally preempts state medical debt laws — it does not. 

“In California, it is illegal for medical debt to appear on your credit report. Medical debt — which the law generally defines as debt owed to a provider of medical services, products, or devices — is generally unforeseen; it is not a reliable predictor of credit risk and can make it harder for people who are already struggling to secure housing, a job, or a car to get to work," said Attorney General Bonta. "California banned medical debt from appearing on credit reports because we recognized this practice as harmful to struggling consumers and not helpful in determining creditworthiness. Let me be clear: This remains the law in California. I urge consumers to understand their rights and to regularly check their credit reports to ensure medical debt does not make an appearance. The California Department of Justice is committed to protecting and enforcing all of California's laws — including this one.”

California’s Law

Senate Bill 1061 (SB 1061), authored by Senator Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) and sponsored by Attorney General Bonta, went into effect on January 1, 2025, and protects consumers from having their credit ruined by medical debt appearing on credit reports. 

Nationally, medical debt continues to rise, creating significant barriers to employment, housing, and equitable access to healthcare. People with medical debt are more likely than those with student loans or credit card debt to report being denied a rental or mortgage, increasing their risk of homelessness or forcing them into substandard housing. Medical debt can hinder employment opportunities, as employers often rely on credit reports in hiring decisions, further complicating efforts to repay the debt. Many consumers also delay essential medical care due to financial burdens, which can result in worsening health conditions.  

Monitoring Your Credit Report 

The best way to ensure medical debt has not appeared on your credit report is by regularly checking your credit report for inaccuracies or changes. Consumers are entitled to one free credit report per year from each of the three national credit bureaus. Those bureaus are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You have the option of requesting all three reports at once or staggering them. Checking your credit reports at least once a year is a good way to discover errors, like the inclusion of medical debt or even identity theft. These errors could raise your cost of credit or cut you off from credit. The sooner these errors are discovered, the easier they are to clear up.  

You can order your free annual credit reports through a toll-free phone number (1-877-322-8228), online, at www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp, or by mailing the order form here to the following address: 

Annual Credit Report Request Service
P. O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281

For more information on how to order, read, and correct your credit report, please visit here. 

If You Find Medical Debt on Your Credit Report 

If consumers find medical debt on their credit report, they should notify the medical provider’s office, debt holder, and credit agency to allow them an opportunity to quickly remove the information from their credit report. If the issue persists after providing notice to the medical provider, debt holder or credit bureau, consumers may consider consulting a private attorney or legal aid.

Consumers who find medical debt on their credit report can also file a complaint with the California Department of Justice at oag.ca.gov/report.

OAKLAND — In honor of Veterans Day, California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a consumer alert warning veterans and their families to be aware of scams and fraud, including fraud perpetrated by predatory individuals or companies who exploit veterans seeking assistance accessing their benefits. Unaccredited claims representatives, sometimes referred to as “claim sharks,” often promise a faster claims process or guaranteed benefit increases. These individuals or companies are not accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and operate beyond the protections and oversight of official VA regulations and their claims system. In today’s alert, Attorney General Bonta provides tips and information to help veterans guard against scams.

“On Veterans Day, and on all days, we recognize the significant sacrifices and contributions of veterans. Honoring our heroes means keeping them safe, and as part of that commitment, today we raise awareness of predatory practices targeting veterans,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Whether a person claims to be from the VA, or an offer sounds too good to be true, I urge Californians to triple check every offer and seek assistance from reliable and accredited channels when in doubt. Our veterans deserve protection as strong as their service.”

Receiving Reliable Assistance 

California veterans requiring assistance with initial benefits claims can receive free support from their local county veteran service office or from another VA-accredited representative. Accredited representatives — including attorneys and claims agents certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — have passed exams, undergone background checks, and completed ongoing training to ensure they can assist veterans. If they do not uphold legal standards when representing veterans, these professionals can face penalties, including losing their accreditation. By contrast, unaccredited claims representatives may provide substandard assistance and often charge high fees or may even be committing outright fraud.

Common Scams Targeting Veterans

Whether it is a scammer pretending to be from the VA, or using veterans service organization seals to gain your trust, protect yourself by staying up to date on common scams targeting veterans:

• Home Loan Scams: Be aware of scammers that — through phone calls or mailers — claim to be affiliated with the government, VA, or your mortgage servicer. These fraudsters may attempt to convince you to agree to loan modifications, refinance your home, or make payments to your loans via untraceable money orders or gift cards. Be cautious of any individual or lender that: contacts you and asks you to pay fees upfront before receiving any services; tells you to cancel your mortgage payment and resend the funds elsewhere; tells you to make payments to someone other than your current loan servicer; or pressures you to sign papers you haven’t had a chance to read thoroughly or that you don’t understand — including asking you to sign over the title of your property.
• Never give out personal information to a lender or servicer that contacts you out of the blue. If you are feeling unsure, hang up and call your loan servicer directly at the number that is listed on your mortgage statement. Report suspicious activity to the California Attorney General at oag.ca.gov/report and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
• Identity Theft and Fraud: Some scammers will pretend to be from the Department of Defense, VA, or other official organizations to get your personal information so that they can commit identity theft or fraud. Before you provide any information, always make sure a request is coming from an official organization by doing a quick search on the internet. Never trust the contact information given by the person that is asking for your personal information, as scammers often give out fake contact information. Be wary of letters and emails that have misspellings, look unprofessional, or sends you to a non-government website for information or action, as these are almost always fake. Never give out your Social Security number to get military or veteran discounts. 
• In the event that your identity is stolen, put a fraud alert on your credit report by contacting the three main credit reporting agencies Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, and consider requesting a credit freeze, which will make it difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name. Report identity theft right away and get a recovery plan at identitytheft.gov. File a police report with your local sheriff or police department and keep a copy for your records.
• Pension Scams: Veterans 65 and over are targeted by financial advisers persuading them to buy costly annuities, transfer their assets into trusts, or to pay unnecessary fees for help with a veteran’s pension application. These advisers claim to help veterans qualify for Aid and Attendance or other veteran’s benefits but may cause them to lose eligibility or access to pension or health benefits. Only the VA can award benefits. If you are interested in Aid and Attendance benefits, get free help from your County Veterans Service Office here.
• Affinity Fraud: Some scammers pose as fellow veterans or service members in order to appear trustworthy. Companies may use military-sounding names, military or veterans service organization seals, or other patriotic symbols in order to gain your trust. They may also advertise in military newspapers or magazines, use pictures of service members, or hire salespeople with a military background. Don’t be pressured into buying anything before you have a chance to shop around and do your research.
• Predatory Schools: The GI Bill and other military education programs offer veterans and their families a chance to attend school and further their education. Predatory schools often use high-pressure sales calls to try to get servicemembers and veterans to sign up. Always ask for information about the programs such as graduation rates, job placement and graduate salary information; take as much time as you need when making a decision. If a school can’t provide this basic information, they could be hiding something. For information on California’s public universities and community colleges, go to www.universityofcalifornia.edu, www.calstate.edu, or www.cccco.edu.

If you believe you have been the victim or target of a scam, immediately contact your local police department and file a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General here. For additional information on scams that target veterans, visit our website here. 

California DOJ prepared to take action against those who exploit California tenants  

LOS ANGELES — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today held a press conference in Los Angeles to ask California tenants who have been harmed by their landlords to come forward with their experiences. This past June, Attorney General Bonta sued Mike Nijjar, one of California’s biggest landlords, and his family’s group of property management and real estate holding companies, for violating California laws that protect tenants. The California Department of Justice (California DOJ) would like to hear the stories of Californians who were harmed by Mr. Nijjar’s companies — or by any other landlord. While California DOJ does not represent individuals, your story may help us investigate or take other legal action to protect Californians. People who wish to share their stories can do so by submitting a report to oag.ca.gov/report. There is an option to make your report in Spanish to oag.ca.gov/reportar. 

“California tenants have the right to live in a safe house or apartment — no matter the language they speak or their immigration status or income level. As the People’s Attorney, it is my job to hold landlords accountable for violating tenant protection laws that keep tenants safe and housed,” said Attorney General Bonta. “This summer, my office filed a lawsuit alleging landlord Mike Nijjar and his companies exploited vulnerable families by subjecting tenants to unsafe housing conditions, including cockroach and rodent infestations, leaking roofs, and overflowing sewage, all while deceiving tenants about their rights to sue their landlord and demand repairs. If you or your family have experienced conditions like these, I want to know. Please reach out to my office by filing a report at oag.ca.gov/report. While my office cannot represent individual tenants, your stories help us in our prosecution of landlords who exploit California tenants.”

Mr. Nijjar and his companies own and manage over 22,000 rental housing units statewide, primarily in lower-income, Spanish-speaking neighborhoods. The management companies, formerly called PAMA Management and IE Rental Homes, go by the following names: 

• Legacy Management (in Los Angeles County and the Inland Empire)
• Regency Management (in metropolitan Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley)
• Bridge Management (in Antelope Valley and San Bernardino County)
• Hightower Management (in and near the City of San Bernardino)
• Pro Management (in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties)
• Equity Management (in and around Bakersfield, Stockton, Sacramento, and Fresno)
• Mobile Management (statewide) 

Attorney General Bonta’s lawsuit against Mr. Nijjar and his companies alleges that these companies subject tenants to unhealthy and unsafe conditions, in violation of tenant protection law. The lawsuit alleges that the Nijjar companies:

• Do not provide Spanish translations of their leases and other important documents to tenants, as required by state law, even when they conduct the leasing process in Spanish.
• Discriminate against applications with Section 8 vouchers by refusing to rent to them.
• Include deceptive lease terms in their leases.
• Unlawfully increased rent for many tenants.  

The main goal of the lawsuit against Mr. Nijjar and his companies is to ensure they provide safe living conditions for all their tenants and comply with the law. California DOJ recognizes it is important to preserve all existing housing options for lower-income Californians and is not seeking to remove tenants from their homes or force the sale of buildings to developers. The lawsuit seeks appropriate remedies under the law, including restitution to affected tenants and injunctive terms requiring the defendants to follow the law and improve conditions at their properties. 

To file a complaint and share your story with California DOJ, please visit oag.ca.gov/report.   

To learn more about your rights as a tenant, please visit here.   

Californians who are facing eviction or believe their landlord has violated their tenant rights should seek legal help immediately. If you cannot afford a lawyer, you may qualify for free or low-cost legal aid. To find a legal aid office near where you live, visit lawhelpca.org and click on the “Find Legal Help” tab. If you do not qualify for legal aid and need help finding a lawyer, visit the California State Bar webpage to find a local certified lawyer referral service, or visit the California Courts’ webpage for tenants facing evictions.

For graphics to use in your reporting, please see here for a map of some Nijjar properties. Please see here and here for a call to action in Spanish and English, respectively. 

Puede encontrar una copia de este comunicado de prensa en español aquí.

Consumers were deceived out of nearly $3 billion, settlement proposes $300 million  

OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today joined a coalition of 18 attorneys general in submitting an amicus brief opposing the approval of a proposed multi-district class action settlement with Capital One Bank on the grounds that the proposed $300 million settlement is not fair, reasonable, or adequate, and significantly less than the $3 billion consumers lost. Further, Capital One is taking the position that final approval of the settlement would prevent attorneys general nationwide from seeking just compensation for victims of the company’s scheme.

“Capital One has misled consumers through false marketing and a lack of transparency regarding its savings account system,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Given an opportunity to make loyal customers whole, Capital One is instead attempting to not only underpay those it has harmed, but maintain the deceptive, anti-consumer practices that prompted this lawsuit to begin with. As the People’s Attorney, I will not allow financial institutions to pull the wool over consumers’ wallets. I support my colleague, New York Attorney General Letitia James, who is taking further action to hold Capital One accountable. Her work must not be undermined by a toothless settlement in this case.”  

The class action alleges Capitol One bank marketed its “360 Savings” accounts as high interest but subsequently released the similarly named new “360 Performance Savings” accounts that offered interest rates as much as 14 times higher without disclosing to existing account holders that they could easily transfer their funds to the new high interest 360 Performance Savings accounts and receive the higher interest rates. This saved Capital One nearly $3 billion in interest. However, the proposed settlement only pays the victims $300 million. The proposed settlement also purports to pay out another $125 million in the form of raised interest rates for holders of old accounts; this payment is misleading, as these consumers would receive far more in interest if they simply switched to the 360 Performance Savings account. 

Worse, the settlement allows Capital One to continue its deceptive practices. 

Despite the hopelessly inadequate payment to its victims, Capital One also asserts that the approval of the settlement will preclude attorneys general from seeking meaningful compensation for the company’s victims. In fact, Capital One argues that a currently pending action by the New York Attorney General would be resolved by this settlement and that the Attorney General cannot achieve proper redress for the company’s victims.

In this amicus brief, Attorney General Bonta joins the attorneys general of New York, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington.  

A copy of the brief can be found here.

Law makes it simpler to manage, cancel subscriptions 

OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a consumer alert to remind consumers and businesses that California’s Automatic Renewal Law (Schiavo, 2024) gives consumers important rights when it comes to the renewal of subscription-based services. The law was recently amended, effective July 1, 2025, to make it stronger. 

“That mysterious $7.99 appearing on your credit card bill every month just got easier to identify — and cancel. Under California’s Automatic Renewal Law, businesses must get explicit consent before charging consumers and must give consumers a clear and straightforward method for cancelling unwanted subscriptions,” said Attorney General Bonta. “With the increasing number of online businesses offering subscriptions, it is important to ensure that businesses are acting transparently and that consumers have the power to manage and cancel these subscriptions more easily.”

California’s Automatic Renewal Law applies to consumer services, subscriptions, and plans that continue until the consumer cancels them or that automatically renew. It also applies to arrangements where a consumer receives a free service or product for a “free trial” or limited period and then is charged unless the consumer cancels before the trial period ends.  

Under the law:

• A business must get a consumer’s express affirmative consent to auto-renewal or continuous-service terms. 
• If a subscription, plan, or other service has an initial term of one year or longer that automatically renews, the business must give the consumer notice of the automatic renewal at least 15 days but no more than 45 days before renewal. The notice must include the length and any additional terms of the renewal period, the amount or range of charges, the frequency of charges, and how to cancel.
• For free or discounted trial periods lasting more than 31 days as part of an auto-renewal or continuous-service offer, the business must give the consumer notice of the automatic renewal at least three days but no more than 21 days before the free or discounted period expires. The notice must include the length and any additional terms of the renewal period, the amount or range of charges, the frequency of charges, and how to cancel.
• If a consumer accepts a change in the fee for an existing auto-renewal or continuous-service offer, the business must give the consumer notice at least seven days but no more than 30 days before the fee change takes effect. The notice must include instructions on how to cancel.
• A business must give consumers an annual reminder about their auto-renewal or continuous-service plan. The annual reminder must be sent using the same method of communication as used to enroll in the plan or the method that the consumer generally interacts with the business. The annual reminder must identify the product or service, the frequency and amount of charges, and how a consumer can cancel.
• A business offering an auto-renewal or continuous-service plan must give consumers information on how to cancel. Consumers must be able to cancel using the same method of communication as used to enroll in the plan or the method that the consumer generally interacts with the business. A business must offer a toll-free phone number, email address, or other easy-to-use cancellation method.
• If a consumer enrolled in an auto-renewal or continuous-service plan online, they must be able to cancel it online at will, and the business cannot engage in any steps that obstruct or delay consumer’s ability to cancel immediately.

When and how these requirements may be fulfilled vary. For more information, including details and other requirements, please see the Automatic Renewal Law here. The Automatic Renewal Law is enforced by the Attorney General’s Office, and by District and City attorneys across the state, and it is in addition to the protections offered by other California laws that protect consumers against unlawful, unfair, and deceptive practices, including those that take the form of dark patterns or otherwise interfere with consumer choice.  

Consumers who believe their rights have been violated are encouraged to file a complaint at oag.ca.gov/report.

OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today alerted consumers of ongoing text-based scam activity targeting California taxpayers. Tax fraud scams are a part of a larger universe of government imposter scams, which occur when a person claims to be a government employee in order to obtain a victim’s personal information or for financial gain. These fraudulent texts claim to come from the State of California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) and ask consumers to provide personal information in order to receive their so-called tax refund. In today’s alert, Attorney General Bonta provides Californians with tips to avoid falling victim to tax fraud scams like this one and other government imposter scams. Taxpayers should be especially cautious with their tax, bank account, credit card, and other personal information. 

“Californians: Be on alert for texts from seemingly official government agencies that seem fishy — they might indeed be phishing scams designed to trick you out of your hard-earned money,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Bad actors are getting more sophisticated and show little signs of slowing. I urge Californians to not click on links in texts asking consumers for personal information, visit only official websites, and talk to friends and family who may be unaware of these dangers."

“Sadly, FTB and other California agencies constantly battle bad actors attempting to steal your money. These scammers may impersonate tax agency representatives to steal your personal information," said State Controller and FTB Chair Malia M. Cohen. "If you ever have doubts about the authenticity of a text, email, or phone call claiming to be from FTB, IRS, or any other government agency, contact the agency directly to verify whether there’s an issue that requires your attention.” 

FTB advises Californians not to reply to suspicious text messages, download attachments, or click on links in texts or emails if they are unsure of their authenticity. Verify any suspicious messages by contacting the agency identified directly and visiting official pages only. View FTB’s text messaging page to verify when FTB texts and what information they send. For more information, please see here.

Text-Based Scams 

If you receive a suspicious or unsolicited text message claiming to be from FTB, do not respond or click on any links, as the text may be a phishing scam. Text messaging is particularly dangerous because consumers might hurriedly click on a link and begin entering a password, not realizing that the link is phony and their password is being recorded. These texts may ask for:

• Usernames
• Passwords
• Payment
• Credit and debit card numbers
• Banking information
• PINs
• Social security number  

Other Tax Fraud Scams

Tax-related scams take on various forms and show up every year, especially around tax season. The most common tax-related scams include: 

• Fake phone calls demanding money: Scammers will call you claiming that they are from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or the FTB and say that you owe them money. The scammer will harass you and use high-pressure tactics claiming that you will be arrested, deported, or will lose your driver’s license if you don’t pay right now. Sometimes the scammer will even know your Social Security number or fake the caller ID so that it looks like they are calling from the IRS or FTB. Scammers may offer to provide “documentation” or “evidence,” or use the name of a real government official. If a government agency calls you and asks for financial or personal information, hang up and go to the agency’s official website (which should be a .gov website) and call them directly. Government officials will not threaten you with arrest or legal action in exchange for immediate payment. They will not promise to increase your benefits or resolve an issue in exchange for a fee or transfer of funds to a protected account.
• Fake emails: Scammers will send out "phishing" emails that look like they are from the IRS or FTB and claim that you either owe money or are due a refund. They will include links to official-looking websites and ask for either money outright or personal information that will allow them to steal your identity.
• Stolen refunds: Identity thieves will use stolen personal information to file false tax returns in your name and steal your refunds. Scammers will usually file early in the tax season, before you get to it. You won’t learn about the theft until you try to file your taxes.  

Protect Yourself from Tax Fraud Scams

• Protect your personal information: Never provide personal information, such as your Social Security number or bank account information, to someone you do not know.
• Be wary of unsolicited communication: As a rule of thumb, real government officials will never ask for payment in the form of gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, Internet currency, or by mailing cash.
• Hang up the phone! While in some cases the IRS or FTB may call a person who owes taxes, the agencies only do so after they have tried to contact you by mail. If you suspect a scam call, immediately hang up or do not respond. The longer you stay on the line, the more likely you are to fall victim to a scam.
• Use a strong password: When preparing your tax return for electronic filing, be sure to use a unique strong password for your online filing accounts. A strong password is eight or more characters, including letters, numbers, and symbols. Use a unique password for each of your tax filing accounts.
• Never sign a blank return: Do not use a tax preparer who asks you to sign a blank tax form.
• Talk to friends and family: Always seek a second opinion from your friends and family.

If you suspect you have been a victim of a tax-related scam, report the scam and any losses to the Internal Revenue Service and/or the California Franchise Tax Board. For more information and resources on tax fraud and other government imposter scams, visit our website at oag.ca.gov/consumers/general/taxes.