Business Opportunity Scammer Settles FTC Charges

Universal Advertising, Inc., and its owner, Paul E. Porter, have agreed to settle charges that they misled consumers into paying thousands of dollars for a venture they claimed would generate substantial earnings, without providing legally required substantiation for their claims. The settlement is a result of last year’s Project Fal$e Hope$, an FTC-led effort that […]

Agencies Issue Final Rules on Identity Theft Red Flags and Notices of Address Discrepancy

The Federal Trade Commission and the federal financial institution regulatory agencies have sent to the Federal Register for publication final rules on identity theft “red flags” and address discrepancies. The final rules implement sections 114 and 315 of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003. According to a report of the President’s Identity […]

FTC Town Hall Will Examine Privacy Issues and Behavioral Advertising

Media Advisory October 31, 2007 WHAT: Two day Town Hall to address consumer protection issues raised by tracking of consumers’ activities online to target online advertising – behavioral advertising. WHEN: November 1-2, 2007 WHERE: FTC Conference Center601 New Jersey Avenue, N.W.Washington, DC WHO: Consumer advocates, industry representatives, technology experts, academics and staff of the Federal […]

Las Vegas Company, Businessman Banned from Selling Business Ventures and Asset Protection Goods and Services

A Las Vegas company and businessman, accused of deceptively marketing a business opportunity involving dubious “asset protection” services, are banned from selling business ventures and from marketing asset protection services. The Federal Trade Commission charged that Asset Protection Group, Inc. (“APGI”) and its president, William S. Reed, falsely claimed consumers would make a substantial income […]

Don’t Open Bogus Email that Claims to Come From the FTC

A bogus email is circulating that says it is from the Federal Trade Commission, referencing a “complaint” filed with the FTC against the email’s recipient. The email includes links and an attachment that download a virus. As with any suspicious email, the FTC warns recipients not to click on links within the email and not […]

FTC Releases Consumer Fraud Survey

The Federal Trade Commission today released a statistical survey of fraud in the United States that shows that 30.2 million adults – 13.5 percent of the adult population – were victims of fraud during the year studied. More people – an estimated 4.8 million U.S. consumers – were victims of fraudulent weight-loss products than any […]

FTC Challenges Owens Cornings Acquisition of Saint Gobain Assets

The Federal Trade Commission today announced a complaint challenging Owens Corning’s proposed acquisition of the glass fiber reinforcements and composite fabric assets of Compagnie de Saint Gobain (Saint Gobain), charging that the deal would lead to reduced competition in the North American market for continuous filament mat (CFM) products. Under the terms of a consent […]

Tips on Packing Financial Documents Before Evacuating and Tips for Smart Charitable Giving

For Your Information October 25, 2007 Wildfires have displaced hundreds of thousands of people in southern California. The Federal Trade Commission offers two reminders about weather emergencies and other sudden events: Having financial documents up-to-date, in one place, and portable can make a big difference at a tense time. The best way to provide immediate […]

Court Enters Final Orders and $10 Million Judgment Against Last Centurion Defendants

At the Commission’s request, a federal district court entered final orders against three remaining defendants, successfully concluding the FTC’s long-running case against the large cross-border telemarketing scheme known as Centurion Financial Benefits. The court orders require the three defendants, Frank Bellissimo, Tony Andreopoulos, and Catreena Alexandra Marchewka, to halt their illegal telemarketing activities and bar […]

Phone Bill Cramming Defendant Settles FTC Charges

One of the defendants in a massive fraudulent billing scheme has agreed to settle charges for her role in collecting more than $30 million in bogus collect call charges from millions of consumers. Mary Lou Farr and other defendants were charged with deceptive and unfair billing practices for “cramming” – the unauthorized billing of charges […]