Most drivers don’t expect to hear from the federal government — unless something has gone very wrong.But this month, more than 168,000 Americans opened their mailboxes to find checks from the Federal Trade Commission, tied to a case that exposed widespread deception in the vehicle service contract industry.The FTC’s action may be a turning point, signaling that regulators are paying close attention to misleading automotive advertising.The fallout is significant: More than $9.6 million is being returned to consumers who were misled and often left paying for repairs they believed were covered by CarShield and American Auto Shield.It’s one of the largest automotive-related refunds of the year — and it raises serious questions about how these companies operate, what consumers should watch for, and whether the settlement goes far enough.Scam watchAfter years investigating automotive scams and pushing for transparency, I can say this case highlights a deeper problem: service contract companies relying on aggressive marketing, inflated promises, and fine print that favors the seller.In July 2024, CarShield and American Auto Shield — two of the most recognizable names in the extended warranty business — agreed to pay nearly $10 million to settle an FTC complaint. The allegations included misleading advertising, deceptive telemarketing, and coverage claims that didn’t match reality.Many drivers believed they were buying protection for major repairs, sometimes paying up to $120 a month. When problems arose, they discovered that coverage often disappeared behind exclusions, denials, and carefully crafted contract language.Cover storyAccording to the FTC, the companies advertised that virtually all repairs — or all repairs to “covered” systems — would be paid. Drivers were told they could use any repair shop and receive free rental cars during breakdowns. Instead, many were stuck with bills they thought they had avoided.The FTC argued these claims persuaded consumers to buy service contracts that failed to deliver. Under the settlement, both companies must stop deceptive marketing practices and ensure that endorsements and testimonials reflect real, verifiable customer experiences — an important change given how central celebrity endorsements were to their advertising.Checks and balancesRefunds are already under way. Checks have been mailed to 168,179 affected drivers and must be cashed within 90 days. No banking information or payment is required. Consumers with questions are directed to the refund administrator or the FTC’s website.This action is part of a broader FTC push to hold companies accountable in industries where consumers are easily confused or misled. In 2024 alone, FTC enforcement returned more than $339 million to consumers nationwide. Automotive issues remain a major focus because unexpected repair costs can quickly become a financial burden.Vehicle service contracts — often sold as “extended warranties” — can be useful when offered clearly and honestly. Too often, however, consumers are sold peace of mind that turns into high monthly payments and denied claims, with exclusions overwhelming any real benefit.RELATED: Ford just lost $20 billion on its EV investment Bloomberg/Getty ImagesNew scrutinyThe FTC’s move may signal a shift toward tougher oversight of automotive advertising. Whether it leads to broader industry reform remains to be seen, but companies using vague language and unrealistic promises are clearly facing more scrutiny.Drivers deserve clear information and coverage that matches what is advertised. This case is a reminder to stay skeptical: If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.Bottom line: Big print gives, small print takes away. Read the contract carefully — because most of these deals simply aren’t worth it.

Despite a relationship spanning more than 20 years, President Donald Trump said he will not intervene in Sean "Diddy" Combs' jail sentence.Combs is currently serving a 50-month prison sentence after being charged for two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution in 2025.'I was very friendly with him. I got along with him great and seemed like a nice guy.'After the president stated in October that Combs had asked him for a pardon, he recently confirmed to the New York Times that the request came in the form of a letter.Pardon meThe two-hour interview with the Times serves as the first official confirmation that the letter to the president exists, with Trump allegedly saying he was willing to show it off to reporters, but ultimately did not.Trump reportedly told the outlet that Combs "asked me for a pardon," which was "through a letter," but revealed he is not considering granting the request.RELATED: Diddy's Big Circus Photo by Sonia Moskowitz/Getty Images"I have a lot of people [who] have asked me for pardons," the president said in October. "I call him Puff Daddy, has asked me for a pardon," he added, referring to one of Combs' previous aliases as an artist.Friendship ended?As Blaze News reported, Trump told Newsmax in 2025 that the two had a prior relationship, but Diddy apparently made remarks that turned the president sour."I was very friendly with him. I got along with him great and seemed like a nice guy. I didn't know him well. But when I ran for office, he was very hostile. And it's hard. Like you, we're human beings, and we don't like to have things cloud our judgment. But when you knew someone and you were fine, and then you run for office and he made some terrible statements.""He was essentially, I guess, sort of half-innocent," Trump included.RELATED: 25 years later, the gaming console that caused so much chaos is still No. 1 Photo by Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty ImagesCombs overRecently, Combs has asked an appeals court to overturn his convictions and release him from jail.A report from the BBC said Diddy's attorney made the argument that the producer was improperly sentenced and that his conduct was not criminal in nature.In addition, photos have resurfaced of Trump and Combs standing side by side, appearing to get along in 1998. The photos were taken at the Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge in Bridgehampton, Long Island.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Pope Leo XIV says Western nations need to guarantee the freedom of expression.The pope gave his "State of the World" speech from the Vatican in Vatican City on Friday and delivered remarks that may agitate some of his more liberal followers.'A new Orwellian-style language is developing which, in an attempt to be increasingly inclusive, ends up excluding.'Real name Robert Prevost, the noted Chicago White Sox fan championed free speech when he explained that words need to once again be used to "express distinct and clear realities."This is paramount in order to engage in "authentic dialogue," the Catholic leader continued, noting that truth-telling is necessary for "preventing conflicts."This led Pope Leo into pointing out a "paradox" in modern self-expression in the West, which only strengthens his belief in the idea that freedom of speech and expression should be guaranteed."It is painful to see how, especially in the West, the space for genuine freedom of expression is rapidly shrinking," the pope said. "At the same time, a new Orwellian-style language is developing which, in an attempt to be increasingly inclusive, ends up excluding those who do not conform to the ideologies that are fueling it."RELATED: Pope Leo calls out gambling addiction and 'demographic crisis' in Vatican meeting The 70-year-old explained that the inclusivity paradox leads to other consequences, such as the restriction of human rights, including "freedom of conscience."Those were not the only remarks the pope gave that were seemingly controversial. Rather, he also spoke strongly against the act of surrogacy.Leo XIV said that surrogacy amounts to transforming gestation into a "negotiable service" that violates the dignity of both the child and the mother. Surrogacy reduces the baby to a "product," the pope said, and causes a mother to exploit her body and the generative process, which distorts "the original relational calling of the family."RELATED: Catholic priest accused of changing the outcome of the last NFL game of the season Photo by Simone Risoluti - Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images Observers of the speech, reportedly including 184 ambassadors from states that have diplomatic relations with the Vatican, also heard the pope condemn assisted suicide as a form of "deceptive" compassion.The leader said that the elderly and isolated — "who at times struggle to find a reason to continue living" — should be offered solutions to their suffering, such as "palliative care ... rather than encouraging deceptive forms of compassion such as euthanasia."Leo concluded his speech by emphasizing the need for peaceful dialogue and living in truth. He added that a "peaceful world" is built by those who act from humble hearts.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

After years of DEI, affirmative action, and replacement-level immigration, some young white Americans are beginning to demand political representation as a group. Conservatives are panicking about this rise in “white identity politics,” but they shouldn’t be surprised at all, says BlazeTV host Auron MacIntyre. “For decades, whites have watched every other group in America successfully demand political action as a block from both the left and the right. Democrats build their entire party around racial grievance, but even conservatives are quick to speak to the needs of minority communities as a collective group,” Auron says.Even though conservatives are typically anti-identity politics, they nonetheless “cater to them for any group except their core constituency: white Americans.”Now some of those white Americans are saying, “Enough — we demand the same treatment.”Massive immigration has brought in large groups of people who naturally stick together ethnically and gain advantages through nepotism and tribalism, Auron explains. This makes pure individual merit, which whites are forced to rely on, a losing strategy, especially when they’re already demonized for their race by universities, corporations, and media outlets.For years the message has been: “[Whites] aren't allowed to advocate as a group like everyone else gets to, but they are allowed to be punished as a group.”The fact that some whites are now calling for ethnic representation is merely “predictable results,” Auron says.“If conservatives were serious about stopping the rise of collective white identity politics, they would stop lecturing young white people for noticing the obvious. They would instead attack the systemic bias against whites in corporations and academia. ... If they were serious, conservatives would initiate an immigration moratorium and would aggressively prosecute ethnic cartels in the United States,” he continues.“Conservative leaders should be lecturing blacks, Indians, Hispanics, and Jews just as aggressively as they lecture whites about ethnocentrism, if for no other reason than whites, you know, actually vote for the GOP, while all these other groups — outside of Hispanic males in the last election — vote overwhelmingly Democrat.”“In short, show young white people that they can succeed without ethnocentrism by actually addressing and punishing ethnocentrism that is currently practiced by every other group here in the United States. Gather your courage and talk to the minorities who are already practicing the very behavior you claim to fear.”To hear more of Auron’s commentary and analysis, watch the video above.Want more from Auron MacIntyre?To enjoy more of this YouTuber and recovering journalist's commentary on culture and politics, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.