FTC Cracks Down on Con Artists Who Target Jobless Americans

The Federal Trade Commission today announced a new crackdown on con artists who are preying on unemployed Americans with job-placement and work-at-home scams, promoting empty promises that they can help people get jobs in the federal government, as movie extras, or as mystery shoppers; or make money working from their homes stuffing envelopes or assembling […]

FTC to Announce New Action in Case Against Entertainment Service Company

Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz will be available to the media via phone to announce next steps in the case against a major entertainment service company. He also will field questions about the case from the press, and be available upon request for on-camera interviews following the call. WHO: FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz WHAT: […]

FTC Warns Marketers of Children’s Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplements That Claims About Brain and Vision Benefits May Be Deceptive

The Federal Trade Commission has sent letters to 11 companies that promote various Omega-3 fatty acid supplements, telling them they should review their product packaging and labeling to make sure they do not violate federal law by making baseless claims about how the supplements benefit children’s brain and vision function and development. The FTC sent […]

FTC Targets Scammers Pushing Phony Jobs, Bogus Money-Making Schemes

WHO: David C. Vladeck, Director, FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection Tony West, Assistant Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray A job seeker who lost money in a scam Also attending will be representatives of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Monster.com and Microsoft WHEN: Wednesday, February 17, 2010, 11 a.m. WHERE: […]

FTC’s Valentine Quiz: You & Your Valentine: Is There A “Fiscal” Attraction?

For Your Information February 12, 2010 A dazzling smile. A warm sense of humor. Great chemistry. You and your Valentine sound like a perfect match. But are you financially compatible? Is there a fiscal attraction? The smart money is on a Valentine who’s dollars and cents-ible. To check out how your significant other rates in […]

FTC Postpones Feb. 9 Press Conference on Job and Money Making Scams

Due to the inclement weather, the Federal Trade Commission has postponed a press conference previously scheduled for Tuesday, February 9, 2010, at 11 a.m. to announce a law enforcement sweep cracking down on job and work-at-home fraud fueled by the economic downturn. The event will be rescheduled for next week. The FTC will announce a […]

FTC Settles Charges That Colorado Physicians Group Director Attempted to Evade Terms of 2008 Price-Fixing Order

The Federal Trade Commission settled charges that the executive director of a Colorado physicians’ association actively tried to evade the terms of a 2008 FTC order by telling insurers that because she was not named individually in the order, she could simply negotiate on behalf of competing physicians on the “outside” and “not with my […]

FTC Returns $1.6 Million to Consumers Scammed by Bogus Debt Collector

The FTC will distribute $1.6 million to thousands of consumers who were scammed into paying money they did not owe by con artists who threatened, harassed and lied to them. In 2003, the FTC sued three companies, operating under the name National Check Control, charging them with harassing and abusing consumers, falsely threatening criminal prosecution, […]

FTC Proposes Rule That Would Bar Mortgage Relief Companies From Charging Up-Front Fees

The Federal Trade Commission moved to protect distressed homeowners from the promoters of bogus foreclosure rescue and mortgage modification services by proposing a new rule that would forbid companies to charge up-front for these services. Instead, companies could only collect payment after providing services. “Homeowners facing foreclosure or struggling to make mortgage payments shouldn’t have […]

FTC Testifies About Stepped-Up Efforts to Protect Consumers Affected by the Economic Downturn

The Federal Trade Commission today told the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation that the agency has stepped up efforts to protect consumers affected by the economic downtown, and that additional authority would make the agency even more effective. The testimony presented by FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz described the agency’s efforts to prosecute […]