Link Source: https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-ferguson-wins-695000-refunds-washingtonians-harmed-lingerie-company-s
Adore Me used pre-checked boxes to automatically enroll approximately 5,700 Washingtonians in monthly “VIP Membership”
OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced today a national online apparel company will return as much as $695,000 to approximately 5,700 Washingtonians it deceptively enrolled into a monthly subscription service.
From 2012 through 2017, Adore Me, a national company that sells lingerie and other women’s clothes online, placed a pre-checked box on all its online orders that enrolled Washingtonians into a monthly “VIP Membership.” Individuals who did not notice the pre-checked box, especially those who made a one-time purchase, may not have known that the company automatically enrolled them into a membership program that charged them monthly fees.
The company continued to charge many individuals $39.95 per month for the “VIP Membership”, which it put into their accounts to use for future purchases. However, many Washingtonians did not know this money went into an account and accrued during the course of many months. If individuals asked for their money back, Adore Me made it difficult to receive any money back. Ferguson asserted Adore Me’s conduct violated the state’s Consumer Protection Act and constituted unfair or deceptive business practices.
“Deceiving Washingtonians into subscriptions they don’t want cheats the consumer and hurts other businesses that play by the rules,” Ferguson said. “I am committed to ending these schemes. If this happened to you, contact my office so we can help.”
A court order filed in Thurston County Superior Court requires Adore Me to pay restitution to Washingtonians who accumulated monthly fees in their accounts and want that credit back as cash. Washingtonians can either opt for a cash payout or use the money to purchase apparel from the retailer. The Attorney General’s Office will contact Washington consumers who may be eligible for restitution via email. As part of the conditions of the legally enforceable order, Adore Me must:
Clearly and conspicuously disclose all fees, costs, conditions, limitations and restrictions applicable to the VIP Membership program so consumers can make an informed decision for enrollment;
Promptly honor consumer cancellation requests;
Abandon all practices requiring a consumer to complete an online quiz or survey in order to cancel their VIP Membership program, and not make more than one attempt to keep them enrolled once a consumer has indicated an intent to cancel; and
Cease the billing of recurring charges to any consumers enrolled in the VIP Membership program who have accumulated 12 months of store credit via recurring charges.
Adore Me still offers this VIP Membership but it now has greater transparency for the terms of the program, following a 2017 resolution with the Federal Trade Commission. The commission asserted the company made it hard to cancel memberships, including by limiting how consumers could submit cancellation requests, understaffing its customer service department and putting consumers through drawn-out cancellation processes.
In January, national apparel retailer Victoria’s Secret took ownership of Adore Me.
Washington part of a multistate resolution
Ferguson was part of a resolution with 32 attorneys general over Adore Me’s deceptive conduct. Separate from the restitution, Adore Me paid $2.3 million to the states. The Attorney General’s Office will receive $68,872 of that total to use for enforcement of future consumer protection actions.
Along with Washington, the Attorneys General from Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and Wisconsin joined the resolution.
Millions of Washingtonians are unintentionally enrolled in subscriptions
In October 2022, Ferguson released the results of a consumer survey that revealed 59% of Washingtonians — approximately 3.5 million — may have been unintentionally enrolled in a subscription plan or service when they thought they made a one-time purchase. Respondents reported that pre-check boxes constituted a significant source of the problem.
The Attorney General’s Office responds to every consumer complaint. It fields approximately 24,000 complaints annually, and returns tens of millions of dollars per year to consumers through its informal complaint resolution process, which involves working with businesses to resolve consumer complaints pre-investigation or litigation.
Washingtonians can file a complaint here: https://www.atg.wa.gov/file-complaint
IN OTHER STATE NEWS HEADLINES
AG Ferguson: More than $370 million coming to Washington to fight opioid epidemic.
Washington cities and counties will receive half of the opioid recoveries, which have reached $1.1 billion and counting
SEATTLE — Attorney General Ferguson today announced that all 125 eligible local governments have signed on to his resolution with four companies that produced or sold opioids, finalizing the resolution to bring $371.8 million to Washington state. The payments will start flowing this year. Washingtonians can use this chart to see what their community will receive to combat the epidemic. --WAAP
Cleaning up: Tackling dioxins and PAHs in Budd Inlet.
Ecology and the Port of Olympia are amending a legal agreement that requires the port to clean up contamination in sediment — the mud, sand, and silt under the waters of Budd Inlet.--DOE
Identifying and managing PCB-containing building materials
Training offers guidance for reducing PCB pollution and protecting water quality--DOE
Blake Refund Bureau Will Launch in July.
A centralized bureau that will administer reimbursements to individuals for fines or costs ordered by the courts, in connection with drug possession convictions that were found unconstitutional by the Washington Supreme Court, will launch in July, 2023.--WACOURTS
WDFW opens public feedback survey to begin three-year hunting season planning.
OLYMPIA – Members of the public are invited to weigh in on longer-term hunting season planning as the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) begins its latest three-year season setting effort. Comments received during an ongoing scoping period will be used to inform game managers about changes the public would like to see to hunting seasons in 2024–2026--WDFW
2) NEWS FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION
OLYMPIC PENINSULA COMMUNITIES ELIGIBLE FOR FEDERAL ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION GRANTS
RECOMPETE PILOT PROGRAM CREATED BY REP. KILMER, SECURED BY SEN. CANTWELL AS PART OF CHIPS AND SCIENCE ACT.--Details
KILMER ANNOUNCES NEW FEDERAL FUNDING FOR JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 1--Details
Murray, Cantwell Announce More than $76 Million in Grant Funding and Loans for High-Speed Internet Access Across Washington State from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law--Details
Senator Murray Reintroduces Public Health Infrastructure Saves Lives Act, Continuing Push to Strengthen Nation’s Public Health System as New Report Chronicles Perils of Underinvestment--details
SeatGeek & Live Nation Agree to Disclose Full Ticket Costs Upfront Following Cantwell’s TICKET Act Introduction
President Biden announces concert giants will no longer hide fees for concert & sporting event tickets; Cantwell’s TICKET Act would ban hidden fees industrywide.--Details
Cantwell Statement on SCOTUS Decision in Haaland v. Brackeen
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) released the following statement following the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) in the case of Haaland v. Brackeen--details
3) WORLD & NATION
Resolution 1591 (2005) Undermining Sudan’s Sovereignty, Ability to Protect Civilians, Representative Tells Security Council
The worsening violence in Darfur would not have happened if resolution 1591 (2005) — which has undermined the strength and sovereignty of the State and the protection of civilians — had not been implemented, Sudan’s representative asserted to the Security Council today as the head of its Committee established pursuant to that resolution presented her quarterly update.--UN PRESS RELEASE
Security Council 1718 Sanctions Committee Approves Updates to Implementation Notice on Humanitarian assistance Exemption Procedure for Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.--UN PRESS RELEASE
Remarks of Ambassador Chris Lu at General Assembly High-Level Debate on Equal Access to Justice for All--USUN
Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on Mali--USUN
United States Announces Additional Humanitarian Assistance for the People of Ukraine--US STATE DEPT.
NATION
DOD Committed to Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence--DOD
Justice Department Secures Settlement with Dayton, Ohio, Police Department to Ensure Non-Discriminatory Treatment of People with Disabilities
The Justice Department announced today that it entered into a settlement agreement with the City of Dayton, Ohio, and the Dayton Police Department (DPD) under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to resolve allegations that DPD discriminated against a driver during a traffic stop.--DOJ
The Biden-Harris Administration Takes Additional Actions to Address Mental Health Needs of Young People and Make Communities Safer from Gun Violence--Dept. of Education
HUD Issues Final Standards that Align and Consolidate Inspection Requirements in Assisted and Insured Housing
Notice marks HUD’s first comprehensive overhaul of Inspection Standards in more than 20 years--HUD
Department of Homeland Security Announces Distribution of More Than $290 Million in Congressional Funding for Communities Receiving Migrants--DHS
4) BUSINESS
How the U.S. and India Can Reach $500 Billion in Trade
Among the best opportunities for the U.S. to bolster stability, security, and prosperity at home and abroad comes from leaning into the U.S. relationship with India, the world’s fastest growing major economy.--US CHAMBER COMMERCE
United States to Participate in Fourth Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) Negotiating Round in South Korea--US COMMERCE DEPT.
IRS, Treasury update Notice 2023-29 related to energy community bonus credit amounts under the Inflation Reduction Act--IRS
Scammers impersonate funeral home staff to prey on mourning families. Can it get any lower?--FTC
Financial Stability and Macroeconomic Policy
Governor Christopher J. Waller
At "The Future of Macroeconomic Policy,” a conference sponsored by the Norges Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the IMF Economic Review, Oslo, Norway--THE FED
5)IN FOCUS & LOCAL MEETINGS
IN FOCUS: DFI Urges Education and Awareness for All Ages in Recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Thursday, June 15.
Link Source: https://dfi.wa.gov/news/press/dfi-urges-education-and-awareness-all-ages-recognition-world-elder-abuse-awareness-day
Older adults are often targeted for fraud — friends, family members and trusted contacts can help prevent our elders from losing their hard-earned life savings
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) urges Washingtonians of all ages to be aware of the signs of elder financial abuse as we recognize World Elder Abuse Awareness Day(link is external).
Each year, Americans lose millions of dollars to fraud, and those over the age of 60 lose even more than others. The Federal Trade Commission data indicates 202,000 people between the ages of 60 and 69 reported losing $836 million in 2022 nationally. For those aged 70-79, 137,615 people reported losses of $570 million nationally. The United State Attorney’s Office Western District of Washington notes that only an estimated 15 percent of the nation's fraud victims report their crimes to law enforcement(link is external) – making those reported numbers even more frightening.
People who are scammed out of their hard-earned money often cite shame or embarrassment as reasons for not reporting. Some say they are afraid they could be deemed incompetent and have their independence taken away. This is why DFI provides financial education information to people of all ages throughout the state — and urges those who call Washington “home” to take a stand, watch out for loved ones, have conversations about money and the warning signs of potential financial fraud and to report it if they see it.
“Given the data, Washingtonians need to be informed and on high alert for financial fraud, and I encourage friends and loved ones to help their older family members spot scams,” DFI Director Charlie Clark added. “With technology at our fingertips – criminals are potentially in our lives at any time. It’s more important than ever to know how to spot potential financial fraud to avoid it and report it if it happens to you or someone you love.”
One method to add an extra layer of security is for senior investors to provide their investment professionals with a trusted contact — someone they trust as a secondary point of contact in the event their financial firm identifies a problem.
A trusted contact is a person authorized by the investor to allow financial firms, in limited circumstances, to contact them when there are concerns about activity in an account and the firm has been unable to get in touch with the investor directly. A trusted contact may be a family member, attorney, accountant or another third party that respects the investor’s privacy and knows how to handle the responsibility.
A trusted contact is a person authorized by the investor to allow financial firms, in limited circumstances, to contact them when there are concerns about activity in an account and the firm has been unable to get in touch with the investor directly. A trusted contact may be a family member, attorney, accountant or another third party that respects the investor’s privacy and knows how to handle the responsibility.
The North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), of which Washington's DFI is a member, has developed resources on what is a trusted contact, why they are important and how they help investors to protect themselves. You can find the NASAA's trusted contact videos on its YouTube page(link is external). There are also fact sheets and links to other helpful information on trusted contacts on NASAA's Investor Education page(link is external). U.S. regulators fielded 1,320 tips and complaints, opened 605 investigations, and filed 304 enforcement actions related to senior fraud in 2021. Read more in NASAA's 2022 Enforcement Report(link is external).
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS
Clallam County Commission work session for 6/20/23
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06202023-853
Clallam County Commission meeting for 6/20/23
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06202023-854
Clallam County board of health for 6/20/23
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06202023-855
City of Port Angeles Council meeting for 6/20/23
https://www.cityofpa.us/DocumentCenter/View/13237/CC-Agenda-Packet-06202023
OMC Board Meeting for 6/21/23
https://www.olympicmedical.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/AGENDA-June-21-2023-Business-Meeting.pdf
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS
Special Jefferson Commission meeting for 6/21/23
https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/d98302ef-e1e6-4176-9c7f-854c60365b83
PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA
For 6/20/23
https://cityofpt.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&event_id=3536
