The FCC said SK Teleco risks losing access to the network

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• FCC orders SK Teleco to halt transmission of Walmart-impersonation robocalls or face removal from U.S. networks

• Scam campaign used AI voices Emma and Carl to solicit victims personal data, including Social Security numbers

• Provider failed to respond to repeated traceback notices, triggering enforcement action and a 48-hour mitigation deadline

Federal regulators have issued an urgent cease-and-desist order to SK Teleco after investigators concluded the company was transmitting a massive robocall scam that impersonated Walmart employees and attempted to steal consumers personal information.

The Federal Communications Commissions Enforcement Bureau said that SK Teleco must immediately stop processing the fraudulent calls or risk being barred entirely from routing traffic across U.S. communications networks. The agency gave the company 48 hours to block the illegal traffic and 14 days to implement measures preventing its return.

According to the FCC, the robocall campaign used artificial voices identifying themselves as Emma or Carl, claiming to alert consumers to a supposed $919.45 preauthorized purchase of a PlayStation 5 bundle on their Walmart accounts. Recipients were told to press 1 to cancel the order or reach customer support.

Those who complied were connected to live operators who sought personal details, including Social Security numbers, under the guise of resolving the fake transaction.

Red flag

But being asked to confirm a purchase is highly unusual. Merchants rarely ask a consumer if they really made a purchase, and these messages are nearly always a scam.

Between January 21 and April 11 of this year, the FCC-authorized Industry Traceback Group identified 29 specific calls to wireless numbers linked to the scam. Robocall-blocking service YouMail estimated the scheme generated nearly 8 million calls nationwide, underscoring the scale of the fraudulent campaign.

Traceback investigators say they notified SK Teleco multiple times, supplying call records and urging the provider to investigate and stop the traffic. The company, however, failed to respond, the FCC said.

Under federal law, telemarketing calls to mobile phones using prerecorded or artificial voices are prohibited without prior express consent or an emergency justification, neither of which applied in this case.

FCC Chair Brendan Carr criticized the providers inaction, stating:

Scammers and thieves using our phone networks to defraud consumers or steal personal data is illegal, and voice service providers must be part of the solution. While most providers understand this responsibility, we wont tolerate those that turn a blind eye and allow shady robocallers on their networks.

If SK Teleco fails to act

If SK Teleco does not swiftly eliminate the scam traffic and demonstrate measures to prevent recurrence, the FCC said it will direct all other carriers to block the companys calls, effectively disconnecting SK Teleco from the U.S. telecommunications system.

States sued Google, claiming it harmed consumers by suppressing competition and unfairly raising prices

• Google has agreed to a $700 million lawsuit that claimed it stifled competition and raised prices
• The allegations involved charges made through the Google Play Store
• Most affected consumers will receive payment automatically, if the settlement wins final approval

Google has agreed to a $700 million settlement of a lawsuit that accused it of harming consumers for years by stifling competition and raising prices.

A coalition of state attorneys generalsuedGoogle in 2021, charging that itunlawfully maintained a monopoly over mobile app distribution and in-app payment processing for Android devices, and used its monopoly power to charge consumers as much as 30 percent in fees for purchasing apps and making in-app purchases.

If the settlement is approved by the court, the majority of the settlement funds will be used to pay consumers who made purchases on the Google Play Store between August 2016 and September 2023 and were harmed by Googles anticompetitive conduct. Google will also make changes to stop its anticompetitive practices that harmed consumers and app developers.

When big corporations use their monopoly power to stifle competition and raise costs, consumers pay the price, said New YorkAttorney General Letitia James. For years, Google took advantage of its control over its app store to overcharge its customers and box out competing developers."

Google has already paid $630 million into a settlement fund. Consumers who made purchases on the Google Play Store between August 2016 and September 2023 and were harmed by Googles anticompetitive practices should receivenotices about the claims process for the settlement funds. The notices began going out Dec. 2.

Most affected consumers won't have to do anything to receive a payment from the settlement fund. The settlement fund will make the majority of payments automatically, and no claim form is necessary in most cases.

Watch your mail

Once the settlement has been approved by the court, consumers will receive an email from PayPal or a text from Venmo notifying them of their incoming payment at the email address or mobile phone number associated with their Google Play account.

If that email address or phone number is also associated with a PayPal or Venmo account, then the payment will be made directly to that account. If that email address or phone number does not match an email address or phone number associated with a PayPal or Venmo account, then consumers have the option to create a new account or direct the payment to a PayPal or Venmo account at another email address or phone number.

There will be a supplemental claims process after the automatic payments process is complete for consumers who either:

• Do not have an existing PayPal or Venmo account and do not want to sign up for PayPal or Venmo;
• No longer have access to the email address or mobile phone number associated with their Google Play account; or
• Were expecting to receive a payment but did not.

If consumers would like to be notified by email when the supplemental claims process starts, they may submit their name, email address, and mobile phone numberon the settlement website.

Attorney General James encourages all affected consumers to keep track of important upcoming dates in the settlement process:

• Consumers who do not want to receive payment from the settlement fund and want to bring their own case against Google must submit a request to be excludedonlineor in writing by February 19, 2026.
• Consumers who want to object to the settlement can file a written objection by February 19, 2026.
• The court will hold a hearing on April 30, 2026, to consider whether to approve the settlement.

The suit was joined by all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Here are some tips to keep your pets safe

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Holiday foods pose hidden toxicity risks for pets, with emergency clinics reporting spikes in chocolate, onion, and alcohol poisonings.

• Decorations and gifts account for a surge in injuries, including ingestible ornaments, batteries, and hazardous plants.

• Seasonal stress and extreme weather can worsen anxiety and lead to dangerous outdoor conditions for dogs and cats.

As families across the country gear up for holiday celebrations, veterinarians are issuing new warnings: the festive season consistently brings one of the busiest periods for pet emergencies.

From toxic foods to dangerous dcor, experts say many well-loved traditions come with risks that can turn a joyful gathering into a visit to the emergency clinic.

Each year, veterinary poison control hotlines see dramatic increases in calls related to holiday foods. Chocolate remains the top culprit, particularly dark and baking varieties, which contain higher concentrations of theobromine, dangerous even in small amounts for dogs and cats. Xylitol, a sweetener found in cookies, gum, and many sugar-free products, can cause rapid insulin spikes and life-threatening hypoglycemia in dogs.

Other seasonal staples also pose hidden risks:

• Onions, garlic, and chives can damage red blood cells, leading to anemia.

• Alcohol and unbaked yeast dough may cause dangerous intoxication or bloat.

• Turkey bones and fatty trimmings can trigger choking or severe pancreatitis.

Veterinarians stress the importance of securing food waste and keeping counter-surfing pets away from plates and gift baskets.

Festive decorations that end in emergency surgery

From twinkling lights to shiny ornaments, household dcor becomes a minefield for curious pets. Cats, in particular, are drawn to tinsel and ribbonmaterials that can cause intestinal blockages requiring surgery. Dogs are more likely to chew on or swallow holiday lights, batteries, or small toy pieces, resulting in electrical burns or heavy-metal poisoning.

Popular seasonal plants also raise red flags:

• Poinsettias can cause stomach upset.

• Lilies, often included in holiday bouquets, are extremely toxic to cats and can lead to kidney failure.

• Mistletoe and holly contain toxins that may trigger severe gastrointestinal and cardiovascular reactions.

Experts advise anchoring Christmas trees, covering electrical cords, and avoiding hazardous botanicals altogether.

Other complications

Cold snaps and icy conditions create additional challenges. Outdoor cats may seek warmth under car hoods, while dogs can suffer frostbite or hypothermia faster than many owners expect. Icy sidewalks also mean more slipping injuriesespecially for senior pets.

Meanwhile, the holidays can be emotionally taxing for animals. Crowded gatherings, fireworks, and disruptions to routine often cause anxiety, leading to escape attempts or destructive behavior. Boarding facilities and travel compound the risks if pets are not properly identified, vaccinated, and supervised.

While holiday emergencies are common, they are largely preventable. Veterinarians recommend:

• Keeping toxic foods and plants out of reach.

• Supervising interactions with decorations and gifts.

• Maintaining routines as much as possible amid travel and festivities.

• Ensuring microchips and ID tags are up to date.

For many families, pets are central to holiday celebrations. With awareness and preparation, experts say the season can remain joyfuland safefor dogs and cats alike.

Heres how to find out if your child is eligible

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The new Trump Accounts program establishes tax-advantaged investment accounts for children with a $1,000 seed contribution from the U.S. government for eligible newborns.

• Parents or guardians, and optionally other family members, employers, or charities, can contribute up to $5,000 per year per child (with up to $2,500 of that possibly coming from an employer) to help the account grow over time.

• The money is invested in low-cost U.S. stock-index funds (e.g., broad-based mutual funds or ETFs), and cannot be withdrawn until the child reaches age 18; at that point the account generally functions like a traditional retirement account (IRA). (Forbes)

Michael and Susan Dell, of the Dell Computer fortune,made headlines this week when they announced a $6.25 billion donation to the new Trump Accounts for infants. An estimated 25 million children will benefit that single donation.

Many parents may be asking, What is a Trump Account and can my child benefit?

Heres how it works:

Launched under the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), Trump Accounts are meant to give children a financial head start from birth automatically investing in the stock market on their behalf.

For children born between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2028, the government will deposit $1,000 into a new Trump Account if parents/guardians file the proper election form.

The account is then managed by the childs guardian but invested broadly in U.S. equities, aiming to grow over decades via compounding.

Whats behind the program?

Supporters argue Trump Accounts:

• Offer every American child regardless of family income a chance to build long-term financial assets from birth.

• Promote financial literacy and long-term saving habits by exposing families early to investing and compounding returns.

• Provide a flexible multi-purpose nest egg usable for higher education, starting a business, buying a first home, or other major expenses when the child becomes an adult.

According to estimates by the administrations economists, a baby born in 2026 whose guardians contribute the annual maximum could see the account reach roughly $303,800 by age 18and over $1 million by age 28 under optimistic stock-market growth assumptions.

How parents can enroll their child

1. Check eligibility: The child must be a U.S. citizen, under 18, and have a Social Security number. For the $1,000 seed benefit, birth must fall between Jan. 1, 2025 and Dec. 31, 2028.

2. Make the official election: A parent or legal guardian must file the required election via the appropriate form. According to the official guidance, that is IRS Form 4547.

3. Wait for the account setup: Once the election is filed, the Treasury will establish the account and deposit the initial $1,000 (for eligible babies).

4. Begin contributing (optional): Starting July 4, 2026, guardians or other approved contributors (parents, relatives, employers, charities) may add up to $5,000 per year (with employer contributions capped at $2,500).

5. Let the account grow: Funds are invested in low-cost U.S. stock index funds. Withdrawals will generally only be allowed once the child turns 18 (then treated like a traditional IRA), with options for education, home purchase, business startup, or other qualified uses.