FTC Issues Alert on Imposter Advertising and Enrollment Scams

The Federal Trade Commission issued a consumer alert warning the public about deceptive online advertisements where illicit actors impersonate legitimate commercial enterprises and government agencies [FTC Consumer Alerts]. Scammers place these unauthorized advertisements across social media feeds, search engine results pages, and retail platforms to mislead shoppers and general web users into believing they are transacting with genuine organizations [FTC Consumer Alerts].

The advisory follows separate enforcement notices regarding deceptive marketing during open enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace, which runs from Nov. 1 through Jan. 15 [FTC Consumer Alerts]. The regulator cautioned consumers evaluating healthcare coverage to inspect promotional claims carefully, as misleading solicitations surge during this window. In recent weeks, the FTC also documented repeated impersonation schemes involving telephone callers falsely claiming to be agency officials threatening number deactivations, as well as fraudulent sweepstakes operators using the names of recognized charities to solicit payments [FTC Consumer Alerts].

CFPB Examines Bank Practices and Updates Complaint Handling

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has launched an initiative focusing on depository practices at large banking institutions, following supervisory findings originally identified by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency [CFPB Newsroom]. The bureau's inquiry addresses instances where financial institutions reportedly restricted or closed accounts held by commercial entities and individuals [CFPB Newsroom].

The action follows internal revisions to the bureau's public information channels. The agency confirmed that it ceased discretionary publication of consumer complaint narratives and associated data visualizations, citing efforts to address operational challenges within the intake portal and adjust the administrative utility of the database [CFPB Newsroom]. Concurrently, the bureau announced continued support for the National Strategy for Financial Literacy, which outlines federal initiatives covering youth competency, household savings behavior, digital financial literacy, and scam prevention [CFPB Newsroom].

Federal Reserve Issues Policy Decisions and Enforcement Actions

The Federal Reserve Board issued its latest Federal Open Market Committee monetary policy statement in late October alongside regulatory determinations affecting bank governance [Federal Reserve Press Releases].

The Board made available the results of its 2025 Survey of Consumer Finances, providing updated statistical information on the economic condition, balance sheets, and liabilities of American households [Federal Reserve Press Releases]. Additionally, the central bank initiated a formal enforcement action against American Express Company concerning the institution's failure to sufficiently detect and report certain suspicious activities tied to anti-money laundering requirements [Federal Reserve Press Releases]. In related corporate application actions, the Board approved an application submitted by The Bank of Nova Scotia and formalized the termination of prior enforcement orders against Gardner Bancshares, Inc. and Small Business Bank [Federal Reserve Press Releases].