Starting on October 27, 2010, for-profit companies that sell debt relief services over the telephone may no longer charge a fee before they settle or reduce a customer’s credit card or other unsecured debt. “At the FTC we strive every day to make sure America’s middle class families get straight deals for their dollars,” Chairman […]
Monthly Archives: July 2010
Mortgage Relief Marketer Will Return $2.4 Million to Consumers to Settle FTC Charges
A company that deceived consumers with promises it could save their homes from foreclosure will pay $2.4 million to victims as part of a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission. The case is part of the agency’s continuing crackdown on scams that prey on financially distressed homeowners. According to the FTC’s complaint, Home Assure LLC […]
FTC Order Restores Competition in U.S. Markets for Herbicide Products
Australian chemical company Nufarm Limited has agreed to sell certain assets and modify some of its business agreements to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that its 2008 acquisition of rival A.H. Marks Holding Limited hurt competition in the U.S. market for three herbicides that are relied upon by farmers, landscapers, and consumers. Under a proposed […]
FTC Warns Consumers to Beware of Pitfalls When Choosing Pre-paid Phone Cards
Pre-paid calling cards can be a convenient way to stay in touch. But the Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, and the Federal Communications Commission, the nation’s telecommunications agency, caution that hidden costs and other problems can leave consumers with less call time than they were promised. The FTC offered this advice: Look […]
FTC Chairman to Announce a New Debt Relief Rule to Protect Financially Distressed Consumers at Middle Class Task Force Event
Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz will announce a new rule to protect consumers of debt relief services at a Middle Class Task Force event at the White House. Following the Chairman’s announcement, Vice President Biden will discuss the administration’s consumer protection agenda and the importance of consumer protection to middle-class families. This event will […]
FTC Approves Solvay’s Application to Terminate Supply Agreement with Alventia; FTC Seeks Public Comments on Application by Dow Chemical Company to Modify Contract with Arkema Inc.
FTC Approves Solvay’s Application to Terminate Supply Agreement with Alventia The Federal Trade Commission has approved an application by chemical company Solvay S.A. to end a 1998 agreement to supply Alventia LLC with a chemical known as HCFC-142b, a raw material for making fluoropolymer, which is used in pipes, cable, and other applications. In 2002, […]
Rite Aid Settles FTC Charges That It Failed to Protect Medical and Financial Privacy of Customers and Employees
Rite Aid Corporation has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it failed to protect the sensitive financial and medical information of its customers and employees, in violation of federal law. In a separate but related action, the company’s pharmacy chain also has agreed to pay $1 million to resolve Department of Health and […]
FTC Testimony: Stopping Pay-for-Delay Drug Settlement Agreements is a Top Competition Priority
In testimony today before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Courts and Competition Policy, the Federal Trade Commission details its work to promote competition and benefit consumers. According to the FTC testimony delivered by FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz, a top competition priority at the Commission is to stop “pay-for-delay” agreements […]
National Do Not Call Registry Tops 200 Million Phone Numbers
The Federal Trade Commission today announced that phone numbers on the national Do Not Call Registry now exceed 200 million, and that signing up for the Registry to prevent unwanted telemarketing calls is fast, free, and easy. The Do Not Call Registry empowers consumers to take charge of the commercial telemarketing calls they get at […]
Deceptive Marketers Banned from Selling Mortgage Relief Services; One Defendant Ordered to Pay $11.5 Million
Eight marketers are banned from selling mortgage modification or foreclosure relief services under settlements with the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC alleged that the marketers charged homeowners up-front fees and falsely claimed they could get their mortgage loans modified or prevent foreclosure on their homes. The settlements in three separate actions are part of the […]