Beginning September 1, 2009, prerecorded commercial telemarketing calls to consumers – commonly known as robocalls – will be prohibited, unless the telemarketer has obtained permission in writing from consumers who want to receive such calls, the Federal Trade Commission announced today. “American consumers have made it crystal clear that few things annoy them more than […]
Monthly Archives: August 2009
Court Rules in Favor of FTC, Orders Supplement Marketers to Pay Nearly $70 Million for Consumer Refunds
A federal district court has ordered the marketers of two dietary supplements – “Supreme Greens” and “Coral Calcium” – who claimed the products would cure ailments ranging from cancer and Parkinson’s disease to heart disease and autoimmune diseases to pay nearly $70 million for deceiving consumers about the products’ effectiveness and safety. The court also […]
FTC Settlement Bars Seller’s Deceptive ‘Biodegradable’ Claims
A retailer of rayon towels will be barred from making false claims that mislead consumers into thinking that its products are “biodegradable,” under a proposed settlement with the Federal Trade Commission. The settlement with Dyna-E International and its owner George Wheeler resolves the third administrative complaint the Commission issued earlier this year against companies that […]
Weathering Hurricane Season
As the hurricane season gets underway, it’s time to tap into your inner scout and “be prepared.” Your preparation for weather extremes or other natural disasters of course involves securing your windows, roof, or basement, but it also requires you to organize your financial papers. The Federal Trade Commission – the nation’s consumer protection agency […]
FTC Actions Stop Deceptive Schemes in “Operation Tele-PHONEY” Cases
Four deceptive telemarketing operations targeted by the Federal Trade Commission have agreed to abandon the illegal tactics they allegedly used to scam consumers – such as charging for products that were never ordered, making bogus claims about their products, and harassing consumers with unwanted phone calls – under settlements with the FTC announced today. Defendants […]
Commission Approves Final Consent Order in Matter Concerning Aspen Technology, Inc.
Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved a final consent order in the matter of Aspen Technology, Inc. Last month, the FTC announced it would modify a 2004 order against Aspen Technology, Inc. to impose additional obligations intended to restore competition in the U.S. markets for several engineering process simulation software products. The […]
FTC Action Stops Foreclosure ‘Rescue’ Operation
The Federal Trade Commission has put a stop to a deceptive foreclosure “rescue” operation that charged homeowners $1,200 based on the false promise that it could save them from losing their homes. The operators of the business are barred from any further deceptive practices under a settlement with the FTC. The agency charged them with […]
At FTC’s Request, Court Halts Deceptive Claims for Free Government Grants
A U.S. district court has shut down several Web sites that scammers have been using to falsely claim that they can help consumers get free government grant money, the Federal Trade Commission announced today. At the request of the FTC, the court issued an order closing the Web sites of several related companies that falsely […]
FTC Settlement Bars Deceptive Online Marketing Tactics; Payday Loan Applicants Were Charged for Unwanted Debit Cards
A debit card company that charged consumers a fee for a debit card they had ordered unknowingly while applying for a payday loan online, has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that the company and its principals violated federal law. The settlement bars future violations and requires the company’s owner to pay $52,000. The […]
FTC Announces Public Forum on Proposed Debt Relief Amendments to the Telemarketing Sales Rule
The Federal Trade Commission is inviting interested persons to participate in a public forum on November 4, 2009, to discuss proposed debt relief amendments to the Commission’s Telemarketing Sales Rule. The recently proposed rules seek to combat deceptive and abusive telemarketing of debt relief services that purportedly can reduce consumer credit card debt and other […]