Two bogus credit repair companies and their principals settled Federal Trade Commission charges that they falsely claimed they could clean up consumers’ credit reports and collected up-front fees for their services, in violation of federal law. In one case, the FTC alleged that the defendants marketed their services via Web sites and real estate investment […]
Monthly Archives: October 2009
Commission Order Restores Competition Eliminated by Carilion Clinics Acquisition of Two Outpatient Clinics
Carilion Clinic, a Virginia-based health care company, has agreed to sell two independent outpatient medical clinics it acquired last year to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that the acquisitions were anticompetitive and violated federal law. In July 2009, the FTC issued an administrative complaint challenging Carilion Clinic’s 2008 acquisition of an outpatient imaging center and […]
FTC Seeks Comments on Proposals to Amend ‘Free Credit Report’ Rule
The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comment on proposed amendments to the Free Annual File Disclosures Rule, also known as the “Free Credit Report Rule.” The proposed amendments would implement a new law designed to prevent consumer confusion in advertisements for “free credit reports.” The amendments also would address certain practices that may interfere […]
FTC Settles with Six Companies Claiming to Comply with International Privacy Framework
Six U.S. businesses have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they deceived consumers by falsely claiming they were abiding by an international privacy framework that provides a means for U.S. companies to transfer data from the European Union to the United States in keeping with EU and U.S. law. According to six separate […]
FTC Approves Final Consent Order in Matter Concerning Constellation Brands, Inc.
For Your Information October 6, 2009 Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved a final consent order in the matter of Constellation Brands, Inc., and sent letters to the commenters of record. The FTC’s complaint charged that the company acted deceptively in marketing Wide Eye, a caffeinated alcoholic beverage. The Commission vote approving […]
FTC Publishes Final Guides Governing Endorsements, Testimonials
The Federal Trade Commission today announced that it has approved final revisions to the guidance it gives to advertisers on how to keep their endorsement and testimonial ads in line with the FTC Act. The notice incorporates several changes to the FTC’s Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising, which address endorsements […]
Commission Extends Public Comment Period For Proposed Debt Relief Rulemaking
The Federal Trade Commission today announced an extension of the public comment period for proposed Debt Relief Amendments to the Telemarketing Sales Rule. The Commission posted the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the FTC’s Web site on July 30, 2009, and set a deadline for comments of October 9, 2009. In response to requests to […]
Administrative Law Judge Dismisses Complaint in Case Challenging Cancer Cure Claims
An Administrative Law Judge has dismissed a Federal Trade Commission administrative complaint alleging that the respondents were responsible for the deceptive advertising of an herbal remedy that was falsely advertised as a cure for cancer. Although Chief Administrative Law Judge D. Michael Chappell did not evaluate the allegation in the complaint that deceptive and false […]
FTC Seeks Public Comments on Petition by Dow Chemical Company to Sell Hollow Sphere Particle Business to OMNOVA Solutions, Inc.
FTC Seeks Public Comments on Petition by Dow Chemical Company to Sell Hollow Sphere Particle Business to OMNOVA Solutions, Inc. The FTC is seeking public comments on a petition by Dow Chemical Company for approval to divest its hollow sphere particle business to OMNOVA Solutions Inc., as required by a Commission consent order issued on […]