AgEagle Aerial Systems – Class Action Investigation On Behalf Of UAVS Investors – AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. Investors Who Have Suffered Losses Greater Than $50,000 Encouraged To Contact Kehoe Law Firm, P.C.
Kehoe Law Firm, P.C. is investigating potential securities claims on behalf of investors of AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (“AgEagle” or the “Company”) (NYSE: UAVS) to determine whether the Company engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.
On February 18, 2021, Bonitas Research published a report which stated, among other things, that AgEagle “. . . was a pump & dump scheme orchestrated by Alpha Capital Anstalt . . ., AgEagle founder and former chairman Bret Chilcott and other UAVS insiders to defraud US investors.”
The Bonitas Research report also stated that Bonitas Research “ . . . [has] found no evidence of any ‘major e-commerce customer’ or any drone technology credited to AgEagle other than reference to the Promo Video leaked by AgEagle’s founder and former Chairman Bret Chilcott’s daughter.”
Additionally, Bonitas Research reported that “[i]n 4Q’20 an Amazon spokesperson disclosed to reporter Daniel McCoy of the Witchita Business Journal that Amazon specifically does not have any dealings with AgEagle whatsoever.”
On this news, shares of AgEagle dropped significantly during intraday trading, closing down 36.41% on February 18, 2021, thereby injuring investors.
INVESTORS WHO PURCHASED, OR OTHERWISE ACQUIRED, UAVS SECURITIES AND SUFFERED LOSSES GREATER THAN $50,000 ARE ENCOURAGED TO COMPLETE KEHOE LAW FIRM’S SECURITIES CLASS ACTION QUESTIONNAIRE OR CONTACT KEVIN CAULEY, DIRECTOR, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, (215) 792-6676, EXT. 802, [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], TO DISCUSS THE SECURITIES INVESTIGATION OR POTENTIAL LEGAL CLAIMS.
FTC Has Created Three Videos To Help Consumers Prevent Unwanted Calls
Kehoe Law Firm, P.C. is making consumers aware that the FTC has created three videos to help you keep unwanted calls from reaching your phone. The FTC’s videos provide information about the technologies consumers can use to block unwanted calls from your cellular phone and landline, as well as guidance about how to stop receiving calls from fake numbers.
Do You Believe You Are a Victim of Illegal Robocalls, Text Messages, “Junk” Faxes or Telemarketing Sales Calls?
If you have received illegal robocalls, text messages, “junk” faxes or telemarketing sales calls, you may be able to recover at least $500 for each illegal call, text or fax you received and, possibly, as much as $1,500 for each illegal call, text message or facsimile that was made either willfully or knowingly in violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
To help evaluate your potential legal claims under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, please complete KLF’s confidential Robocall Questionnaire or, if you prefer to speak with an attorney, please complete the form above on the right, e-mail [email protected] or contact Michael Yarnoff, Esq., [email protected], (215) 792-6676, Ext. 804, for a free, no-obligation evaluation of your potential legal rights.
FTC Identifies Seven Coronavirus Scams That Target Businesses – Seven B2B Coronavirus Scams That Try to Exploit Companies’ Concerns About COVID-19
Kehoe Law Firm, P.C. is making consumers and businesses aware about seven Coronavirus scams that target businesses, as reported by the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC has identified the following B2B scams that attempt to exploit COVID-19 concerns:
“PUBLIC HEALTH” SCAMS
Fraudsters are sending messages that claim to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”), World Health Organization (“WHO”), or other public health offices. They may ask for such things as Social Security Account Numbers or tax IDs. Other variations direct you to click on a link or download a document. The FTC advises to remind your staff not to respond to such messages, in addition to NOT downloading anything or clicking on links within unsolicited email. It’s the latest form of phishing aimed at stealing confidential data or installing malware on your network.
GOVERNMENT CHECK SCAMS
Regarding news stories about whether financial help for businesses might be available in the future, please remember that criminals read those headlines and use them to make their phony pitches sound more credible. If someone randomly calls or emails claiming there is money available from a government agency if you just make an up-front payment or provide some personal information, it’s phony. The FTC’s checks from the government blog post offers tips on spotting those scams.
BUSINESS EMAIL SCAMS
The FTC has warned companies about frauds perpetrated via business email. For example, in a CEO scam, an employee gets a message that appears to come from a company higher-up directing the person, for example, to wire money, transfer funds or send gift card codes. In reality, a con artist has spoofed the boss’ email address or phone number. Why is the FTC renewing the call for vigilance? The economic upheaval caused by the Coronavirus has led to a flurry of unusual financial transactions – expedited orders, cancelled deals, refunds, etc. That’s why an emergency request that would have raised eyebrows in the past might not set off the same alarms now. Compounding the problem is that teleworking employees cannot walk down the hall to investigate a questionable directive. Warn staff about these scams and give them a central in-house contact where they can verify requests they may receive.
I.T. SCAMS
An I.T. scam works like a CEO scam, but this time the call or message claims to come from a member of your technology staff asking for a password or directing the recipient to download software. These scams pose a particular problem now due to what cybercrime experts call social engineering: the dark art of manipulating human behavior to facilitate fraud. Your employees already may be distracted by changes to their routine and your tech support team is swamped. Taking advantage of this temporary “upside down-ness,” con artists may do a quick online search to glean a tidbit to really sell their story – for example, “I spoke with Fred, who said you were having a computer problem” or “The meeting has been shifted to our new teleconferencing platform. Here’s the link.” Your best defense is a workforce warned against this form of fraud.
SUPPLY SCAMS
With many businesses scrambling for supplies, it’s wise to pay attention to warnings about websites that mimic the look of well-known online retailers, which claim to have the essentials you need, but, in reality, they are fakes that take your “order,” grab your credit card number, and run. The safer strategy is to type in URLs you know to be genuine. And before taking a chance on an unfamiliar supplier, check them out with trusted industry colleagues.
ROBOCALL SCAMS
While working from home, employees are hearing a new crop of annoying – and illegal – robocalls. It’s no surprise that fraudsters who already flout the law would try to exploit people’s COVID concerns to make money. Some of these tele-phonies pitch bogus test kits and sanitation supplies. Others have businesses in their sights. Curious what these calls sound like? This recording targets “small business who may be affected by the Coronavirus,” warning them to “ensure your Google listing is correctly displaying. Otherwise customers may not find you online during this time.” We’ve seen scams like this before and the call definitely isn’t from Google. Remind your staff that the only right response to an illegal robocall trying to sell something is to hang up.
FTC Issues “Warning Letters” and FTC Guidance For Consumers To Avoid Coronavirus Scams – “Scammers Don’t Take A Break”
Kehoe Law Firm, P.C. is making consumers aware that on March 19, 2020, the FTC issued information and guidance regarding Coronavirus scams the FTC has observed.
FTC Sends Warning Letters to Sellers of Scam Coronavirus Treatments
Last month, the FTC and FDA jointly issued warning letters to seven sellers of unapproved and misbranded products, claiming they can treat or prevent Coronavirus. The seven companies which received letters are: Vital Silver, Aromatherapy Ltd., N-ergetics, GuruNanda, LLC, Vivify Holistic Clinic, Herbal Amy LLC, and The Jimmy Bakker Show. For more information, click “warning letters.”
Tips For Consumers To Avoid Coronavirus Scams
The FTC has provided the following tips for consumers to “keep scammers at bay”:
Watch for emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or experts saying they have information about the virus. For the most up-to-date information about the Coronavirus, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Ignore online offers for vaccinations. There currently are no vaccines, pills, potions, lotions, lozenges or other prescription or over-the-counter products available to treat or cure Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) — online or in stores.
Do your homework when it comes to donations, whether through charities or crowdfunding sites. Don’t let anyone rush you into making a donation. If someone wants donations in cash, by gift card, or by wiring money.
FTC Guidance Regarding Undelivered Goods, Fake Charities, Fake E-Mail and Text Messages, Phishing E-Mail Scams
Undelivered Goods
Online sellers claim they have in-demand products, like cleaning, household, and health and medical supplies. You place an order, but you never get your shipment. Anyone can set up shop online under almost any name — including scammers.
What to do: Check out the seller by searching online for the person or company’s name, phone number and email address, plus words like “review,” “complaint” or “scam.” If everything checks out, pay by credit card and keep a record of your transaction. If you’re concerned about the pricing of products in your area, contact your state consumer protection officials. For a complete list of state Attorneys General, visit naag.org.
Fake Charities
When a major health event — like the Coronavirus — happens, you might be looking for ways to help. Scammers use the same events to take advantage of your generosity. Some scammers use names that sound a lot like the names of real charities. This is one reason it pays to do some research before giving. Money lost to bogus charities means less donations to help those in need.
What to do: Use these organizations to help you research charities. When you give, pay safely by credit card — never by gift card or wire transfer.
Fake E-Mail and Text Messages and Phishing E-Mail Scams
Scammers use fake emails or texts to get you to share valuable personal information — like account numbers, Social Security numbers, or your login IDs and passwords. They use your information to steal your money, your identity, or both. They also use phishing emails to get access to your computer or network. If you click on a link, they can install ransomware or other programs that can lock you out of your data. Scammers often use familiar company names or pretend to be someone you know.
Other scammers have used real information to infect computers with malware. For example, malicious websites used the real Johns Hopkins University interactive dashboard of Coronavirus infections and deaths to spread password-stealing malware.
What to do: Protect your computer by keeping your software up to date and by using security software, your cell phone by setting software to update automatically, your accounts by using multi-factor authentication, and your data by backing it up.
Scammers are using illegal robocalls to pitch everything from scam Coronavirus treatments to work-at-home schemes.
What to do: Hang up. Don’t press any numbers. The recording might say that pressing a number will let you speak to a live operator or remove you from their call list, but it might lead to more robocalls, instead.
Misinformation and Rumors
Scammers, and sometimes well-meaning people, share information that has not been verified.
What to do: Before you pass on any messages, and certainly before you pay someone or share your personal information, do some fact checking by contacting trusted sources. For information related to the Coronavirus, visit What the U.S. Government is Doing.
Grand Canyon Education Stock – Investors of Grand Canyon Encouraged To Contact Kehoe Law Firm, P.C.
Kehoe Law Firm, P.C. is investigating whether certain directors and officers of Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (“Grand Canyon” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: LOPE) failed to manage Grand Canyon in an acceptable manner in breach of their fiduciary duties to Grand Canyon, and whether the Company and its shareholders suffered damages as a result.
INVESTORS OF GRAND CANYON STOCK ARE ENCOURAGED TOCLICK HERE OR EMAIL [email protected] TO CONTACT KEHOE LAW FIRM, P.C. TO DISCUSS THE BREACH OF FIDUCIARY DUTIES INVESTIGATION AND POTENTIAL LEGAL CLAIMS.
On October 31, 2023, the U.S. Department of Educationannounced a fine of $37.7 million against Grand Canyon’s principal subsidiary, Grand Canyon University (“GCU”).
According to the U.S. Department of Education, an investigation “. . . found GCU lied to more than 7,500 former and current students about the cost of its doctoral programs over several years. GCU falsely advertised a lower cost than what 98% of students ended up paying to complete certain doctoral programs.”
On December 27, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission filed suit against Grand Canyon and GCU for similar conduct, as well as other deceptive conduct, including GCU’s supposed nonprofit status, and deceptive telemarketing practices.
GRAND CANYON SHAREHOLDERS ARE ALSO ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT MICHAEL YARNOFF, ESQ., (215) 792-6676, EXT. 804, [email protected], [email protected], TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BREACH OF FIDUCIARY DUTIES INVESTIGATION AND POTENTIAL LEGAL CLAIMS.
Is it Illegal to Condition Warranty Coverage on the Use of Specified Parts or Services?
On April 10, 2018, the Federal Trade Commission announced that it sent warning letters to six major companies that market and sell automobiles, cellular devices, and video gaming systems in the United States.
The letters warn about the FTC’s concerns about the statements of the companies that consumers must use specified parts or service providers to keep their warranties intact. Unless warrantors provide the parts or services for free or receive a waiver from the FTC, such statements, generally, are prohibited by the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a law that governs consumer product warranties. Similarly, such statements may be deceptive under the FTC Act.
FTC staff recently took a closer look at the warranties and promotional materials of the various companies and saw language that raised concerns that some businesses were telling consumers that their warranty would be void if they used unauthorized parts or service. The following are examples of the language of the questionable warranty provisions:
The use of [the company’s parts] is required to keep your . . . manufacturer’s warranties and any extended warranties intact.
This warranty shall not apply if this product . . . is used with products not sold or licensed by [company name].
This warranty does not apply if this product . . . had had the warranty seal on the [product] altered, defaced, or removed.
FTC staff suggested that the companies review the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and, if necessary, revise their practices accordingly. The letters put the companies on notice that after 30 days, the FTC will be taking another look at their written warranties and promotional materials. FTC staff has requested that each company review its promotional and warranty materials to ensure that such materials do not state or imply that warranty coverage is conditioned on the use of specific parts of services.
Warranties Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and Its Two Exceptions
No warrantor of a consumer product may condition his written or implied warranty of such product on the consumer’s using, in connection with such product, any article or service (other than article or service provided without charge under the terms of the warranty) which is identified by brand, trade, or corporate name.
Thus, according to the FTC, a company cannot void a consumer’s warranty or deny warranty coverage solely because the consumer uses a part made by someone else or gets someone not authorized by the company to perform service on the product.
There are only two exceptions:
1) If the company provides the article or service to consumers for free; or
2) If the company gets a waiver from the FTC. Under 15 U.S.C. § 2302(c), the FTC may grant a waiver only if the company proves that “the warranted product will function properly only if the article or service so identified is used in connection with the warranted product, and the waiver is in the public interest.” Companies, according to the FTC, may, however, disclaim warranty coverage for defects or damage caused by the use of unauthorized parts or service.
Section 5 of the FTC Act’s Prohibition on Deception Applies to Misleading Warranty Claims
A violation of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, according to the FTC, is a violation of Section 5 of the FTC Act. But separate and apart from Magnuson-Moss, a claim that creates a false impression that a warranty would be void due to the use of unauthorized parts or service may be a stand-alone deceptive practice under the FTC Act.
