FTC Seeks Public Comments on Agrium Inc.’s Application to Reopen and Set Aside Commission Orders Related to Its Now Abandoned Acquisition of CF Industries

The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comment on an application by Agrium Inc. to reopen and set aside two FTC Orders. Under the first Order, Agrium, an agricultural products supplier, agreed to divest a range of assets as part of an agreement to allow the company to complete its acquisition of competitor CF Industries […]

FTC Settles with Company that Failed to Tell Parents that Children’s Information Would be Disclosed to Marketers

EchoMetrix, Inc., has settled Federal Trade Commission charges that it failed to adequately inform parents using its web monitoring software that information collected about their children would be disclosed to third-party marketers. EchoMetrix sells its Sentry software to parents to allow them to monitor their children’s online activities. When Sentry is installed on a computer, […]

FTC Approves Final Order Settling Charges That Public Relations Firm Used Misleading Online Endorsements to Market Gaming Apps

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that Reverb Communications, Inc., and its owner, Tracie Snitker, engaged in deceptive advertising.  Reverb and Snitker had employees pose as ordinary consumers posting game reviews at the online iTunes store, and did not disclose that the reviews came from […]

FTC Has Gift Card Tips for Holiday Buying

The Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, has tips and information for consumers who use gift cards for holiday gift-giving. New federal rules that took effect in August are designed to protect consumers, and will restrict fees and affect gift card expiration dates. These new rules apply to two types of cards: Retail […]

FTC Settlements Permanently Shut Down “Free Government Grants” Scam

The Federal Trade Commission has reached settlements shutting down a website operation that allegedly deceptively touted free government grants for personal expenses or paying off debt, and then debited consumers’ bank accounts without their approval. The federal government does not provide grants to consumers for personal expenses or paying off debts. The settlements resolve FTC […]

FTC Approves Final Order Settling Charges that Pilot Corporations Takeover of Flying Js Travel Center Business Was Anticompetitive

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final Order settling charges that Pilot Corporation’s takeover of the travel center business of rival Flying J Inc. would have been anticompetitive and would have reduced competition in markets for diesel sold to certain long-haul trucking fleets. The order settling the FTC’s charges […]

FTC Approves Final Order Settling Charges that Rite Aid Failed to Protect Medical and Financial Privacy of Customers and Employees

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges against Rite Aid Corporation, and sent letters to members of the public who submitted comments on the order. The FTC charged that the company failed to protect the sensitive financial and medical information of its customers and employees. The […]

FTC Issues Performance and Accountability Report for Fiscal Year 2010

The Federal Trade Commission has issued its Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 Performance and Accountability Report. The report shows American taxpayers how the FTC has managed its resources, highlights major accomplishments in fulfilling the FTC’s two core goals of protecting consumers and promoting competition, and outlines plans for addressing future challenges. As required by the Reports […]

FTC Announces Series of Actions Against Mortgage Relief Operations Charged with Deceiving Distressed Homeowners

The Federal Trade Commission today announced a series of law enforcement actions as part of the FTC’s continuing crackdown on scams that target homeowners behind in their mortgage payments or facing foreclosure. At the FTC’s request, federal courts have halted two allegedly bogus mortgage relief operations that posed as government mortgage assistance programs, pending trial. […]

FTC Issues Final Rule to Protect Struggling Homeowners from Mortgage Relief Scams

Homeowners will be protected by a new Federal Trade Commission rule that bans providers of mortgage foreclosure rescue and loan modification services from collecting fees until homeowners have a written offer from their lender or servicer that they decide is acceptable. “At a time when many Americans are struggling to pay their mortgages, peddlers of […]