(Photo Credit: SOMKID THONGDEE/Shutterstock) False advertising class action lawsuits overview:  Who: Consumers recently filed class action lawsuits against TC Heartland LLC, Stiiizy Inc., Panera, Big Heart Pet Brands, Prime Hydration LLC, Philip Morris International and Swedish Match North America LLC.  Why: The class action lawsuits involve false advertising claims.  Where: The false advertising class action lawsuits were filed in U.S. federal courts.  Consumers recently filed class action lawsuits against companies accused of falsely advertising their products to consum ..read more

(Photo Credit: George Sheldon/Shutterstock) Target biometric privacy class action lawsuit overview:  Who: Arnetta Dean filed a class action lawsuit against Target Corporation.  Why: Dean claims Target unlawfully collected the biometric data of its customers in the state of Illinois.  Where: The class action lawsuit was filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois.  Target unlawfully collected the biometric data of thousands of Illinois residents who visited its store locations, a new class action lawsuit alleges.  Plaintiff Arentta Dean’s class action lawsuit ..read more

Improper delivery charges in Florida: Who’s affected?  (Photo Credit: SFIO CRACHO/Shutterstock) Have you been surprised by the high cost of delivery for food, furniture, clothing or other items?  Some companies are improperly charging for delivery without giving proper notice. We are investigating any companies who delivered any items to you in Florida. To potentially qualify, you must have paid for delivery (it cannot have been free) and you must have proof of the delivery fee charge, such as a receipt, screenshot or email). It happens in many kinds of delivery transactions, such a ..read more

(Photo Credit: Krakenimages.com/Shutterstock) Top Class Actions readers received payments of up to $3,600 from settlements with Freedom Financial, 20/20 Eye Care Network, Smile Brands and other companies. Freedom Financial TCPA settlement checks Our viewers reportedly received payments from a $9.75 million settlement with Freedom Financial Network, resolving claims the debt relief company violated federal law with unsolicited robocalls. The settlement benefits individuals who received robocalls between May 17, 2017, and April 17, 2018, that used an artificial or prerecorded voice to sell Free ..read more

(Photo Credit: U.S. Food & Drug Administration) Primal Kitchen avocado oil recall overview:  Who: Primal Kitchen issued a recall for approximately 2,600 cases of its avocado oil product sold in 70mL glass bottles.  Why: The recall was initiated due to concerns the glass bottles for the avocado oil may be prone to breakage, causing the product to spill.  Where: The recalled Primal Kitchen avocado oil was sold to consumers nationwide.  Primal Kitchen issued a voluntary avocado oil recall for certain cases of its avocado oil over concerns the products’ glass bottle may b ..read more

(Photo Credit: nikkimeel/Shutterstock) New York Times subscription class action overview:  Who: The New York Times reached a nearly $2.4 million settlement in a class action filed by Plaintiff Maribel Moses. Why: The New York Times will pay the settlement after a prior one was vacated because it included access codes that were deemed to be coupons requiring further business with the company. Where: The New York Times subscription class action settlement was filed in federal court in New York. A nearly $2.4 million settlement will resolve claims made in a New York Times subscription clas ..read more

(Photo Credit: Brandy McKnight/Shutterstock) Ground beef health alert overview:  Who: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a public health alert related to ground beef produced by Greater Omaha Packing Co.  Why: Ground beef that was on hold for a positive E. coli test was inadvertently used to produce the ground beef products included in the health alert. Where: The ground beef health alert products were shipped across the United States. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a ..read more

(Photo Credit: Eric Glenn/Shutterstock) EPA forever chemicals hazardous overview:  Who: The Environmental Protection Agency designated two per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as hazardous substances.  Why: The designation came less than a year after the agency announced an initiative to address PFAS exposure.  Where: The new rule affects consumers nationwide. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designated two types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals,” as hazardous substances under federal law earlier this month.  P ..read more

(Photo Credit: Linda Parton/Shutterstock) GM class action overview:  Who: Thirteen consumers filed a class action lawsuit against General Motors (GM).  Why: The class action lawsuit claims vehicles with a GM Hydra-Matic 8L90 or Hydra-Matic 8L45 transmission have transmission fluid and transmission issues that cause the vehicles to shudder, lurch forward or delay acceleration. Where: The GM transmission class action was filed in federal court in Michigan. A group of 13 consumers claims certain transmissions in General Motors vehicles from the last decade are defective and can create ..read more

(Photo Credit: Kristi Blokhin/Shutterstock) Avis class action overview:  Who: Plaintiffs Tyler Livingston and Donald Veach filed a class action lawsuit against Avis Budget Group.  Why: Livngsont and Welch claim Avis and Budget improperly charged customers a fuel service charge, despite them choosing the self service option that should have negated such a charge. Where: The Avis fuel charge lawsuit was filed in federal court in New Jersey. A new Avis class action lawsuit claims that Avis and Budget improperly charged customers a fuel service charge even when they choose the self-ser ..read more