Consumer Alert: Gift Card Scams Have Increased Significantly

Dec 8, 2021 | Blog

Gift Cards As Scam Payment Method – According To The FTC, $148 Million Reported Lost In First Nine Months Of 2021, More Than All Of 2020

Kehoe Law Firm, P.C. is making consumers aware that a Federal Trade Commission data spotlight shows that in the first nine months of 2021, consumers reported losing $148 million in scams where gift cards were used as the form of payment, an amount more than was reported in all of 2020. 

Nearly 40,000 consumers reported using gift cards to pay a scammer in that time period. Most often, according to the FTC, consumers reported paying scammers who were impersonating large companies or government agencies.

One new development noted in the FTC’s data spotlight is the emergence of Target gift cards as the most popular choice for scammers in the reports received by the FTC. Target gift cards accounted for about $35 million in payments to scammers, more than twice as much as any other brand of gift cards. The median amount lost when consumers paid with Target gift cards, $2,500, was higher than any other brand of card, with nearly a third reporting losses of $5,000 or more.

Scammers also instructed consumers to purchase gift cards, regardless of the brand of card, from a Target store more often than any other location, according to the spotlight.

Since 2018, both the numbers of consumers filing reports in which gift cards were the form of payment to scammers and the amount they have reported lost have increased steadily. The spotlight also notes that consumers’ median reported loss to scammers when they pay with gift cards has increased from $700 to $1000.

The FTC has resources for consumers, including information on how to contact gift card companies to try to stop payments to scammers at ftc.gov/giftcards. The agency also has information for gift card retailers, including materials that can be posted in stores and used to train employees at ftc.gov/StopGiftCardScams.

Source: FTC.gov

Kehoe Law Firm, P.C.

Edge Pharma Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall Of All Drug Products

Dec 8, 2021 | Blog, Product Liability

Recall Of All Drugs Compounded At Edge Pharma, LLC 
Process issues that could lead to a lack of sterility assurance for products intended to be sterile and could impact the safety and quality of non-sterile products. 

Consumers should be aware that Edge Pharma is recalling all lots of all drugs compounded at Edge Pharma, due to process issues that could lead to a lack of sterility assurance for products intended to be sterile and could impact the safety and quality of non-sterile products.

Risk Statement: Administration of a drug product intended to be sterile, that is not sterile, could result in site specific infections as well as serious systemic infections which may be life- threatening.

To date, Edge Pharma, has not received and is not aware of any adverse events related to this recall.

The products being recalled are used for a variety of indications and are packaged in Containers, IV bags, Syringes, Drop containers, Vials, Bottles, and Jars.

RECOMMENDATIONS
  • Consumers and institutions that have Edge Pharma products should stop using the products immediately and may either return or discard the recalled lots.
  • Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using these drug products.
To read the recall announcement, please click Edge Pharma Nationwide Recall.

Health professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

  • Complete and submit the report online.
  • Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.

Source: U.S. Food & Drug Administration, MedWatch, The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program.

Kehoe Law Firm, P.C.