Statement of FTC’s Bureau of Competition Regarding Announcement That Herff Jones and American Achievement Group Have Terminated Their Acquisition Agreement

Herff Jones and American Achievement Group Holding Corp., the parent company of American Achievement Corporation (AAC), announced on December 5, 2008, that their acquisition agreement has been mutually terminated because the parties did not obtain the required regulatory approvals necessary to complete the transaction. “Staff of the Bureau of Competition had been investigating the proposed […]

FTC Announces Conference on International Aspects of Securing Personal Data

The Federal Trade Commission, in conjunction with two international organizations, will host a two-day international conference: “Securing Personal Data in the Global Economy.” The conference addresses how companies can manage personal data-security issues in a global information environment where data can be stored and accessed from multiple jurisdictions. Working with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) […]

Cross-Border Telemarketers Barred From Deceptive Phone Card Pitches

The Federal Trade Commission has settled charges it brought against a group of Canadian telemarketers who allegedly deceived U.S. consumers through the fraudulent sale of telephone calling cards. As a result of the settlement, the court has permanently barred the defendants from engaging in similar cross-border fraud. In July 2007, the agency charged 9131-4740 Québec, […]

Marketers of Mystery Shopper Scam Settle with FTC; Agree to Pay $850,000

An operation that lured consumers with promises that they could earn big money as trained and certified “mystery shoppers ” has agreed to pay $850,000 to settle charges of deceptive marketing and contempt. Mystery shoppers are paid to shop or dine out and then provide reports about the experience. In March 2007, the Federal Trade […]

Marketers of Mystery Shopper Scam Settle with FTC; Agree to Pay $850,000

An operation that lured consumers with promises that they could earn big money as trained and certified “mystery shoppers ” has agreed to pay $850,000 to settle charges of deceptive marketing and contempt. Mystery shoppers are paid to shop or dine out and then provide reports about the experience. In March 2007, the Federal Trade […]

Internet Marketers of Dietary Supplement for Weight Loss Agree to Pay $150,000

A Utah-based operation that lured online customers with free samples of a purported weight-loss supplement in a scheme to obtain their credit or debit card information has agreed to pay $150,000 to settle Federal Trade Commission charges of deceptive and unfair marketing, and of violations of federal regulations governing the electronic transfer of funds. According […]

Internet Marketers of Dietary Supplement for Weight Loss Agree to Pay $150,000

A Utah-based operation that lured online customers with free samples of a purported weight-loss supplement in a scheme to obtain their credit or debit card information has agreed to pay $150,000 to settle Federal Trade Commission charges of deceptive and unfair marketing, and of violations of federal regulations governing the electronic transfer of funds. According […]

FTC Issues New Update of Horizontal Merger Investigation Data Report

To promote transparency in merger enforcement, the Federal Trade Commission today released its most recent staff update of horizontal merger investigations, describing transactions that took place between fiscal years 1996 and 2007. The update expands the coverage of mergers by adding two more years to the agency’s database. The new data contain tabulated concentration levels […]

New Rules Requiring an Automated Voice or Keypress Opt-Out for Recorded Message Telemarketing Calls Take Effect Today

Effective today, any telemarketing call that delivers a prerecorded message must include a quick and easy way to opt-out of receiving future calls. The opt-out must work both for consumers who answer these calls in person and for those whose answering machines or voicemail services receive the calls. Prerecorded telemarketing messages are permitted only in […]

Former FTC Commissioner Named Recipient of 2008 Kirkpatrick Award

Federal Trade Commission Chairman William E. Kovacic today named Mary Gardiner Jones the 2008 recipient of the Miles W. Kirkpatrick Award. Citing Jones’s significant contributions to the agency and its mission to protect consumers and encourage competition, Chairman Kovacic said, “Mary Gardiner Jones is one of the most important pioneers in the history of the […]