An administrator working for the Federal Trade Commission began mailing refund checks yesterday to 957,928 people who were victims of allegedly false claims made by LifeLock, Inc., which told consumers it could provide absolute protection from identity theft if they signed up for its identity protection service. The mailings will continue for two weeks. In […]
Monthly Archives: November 2010
FTC to Announce Rule to Protect Homeowners from Mortgage Relief Scams During Middle Class Task Force Event
Media Advisory November 18, 2010 During an event hosted by Vice President Joe Biden to announce initiatives to help middle class and low-income families secure their legal rights, Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz will announce a new rule protecting homeowners from deceptive mortgage relief companies, and several law enforcement actions against mortgage loan modification […]
FTC to Send Refund Checks to Consumers Who Bought Bogus “Ab Force” Weight Loss Devices
An administrator working for the Federal Trade Commission will mail 34,130 refund checks today for approximately $17.89 each to consumers who were deceived into buying “Ab Force” electronic stimulation devices by advertisements that falsely claimed they could help people lose weight. The amount of the checks represents approximately 90 percent of the purchase price for […]
FTC Sends Warning Letters to Marketers of Caffeinated Alcohol Drinks
The Federal Trade Commission today sent warning letters to four marketers of caffeinated alcohol drinks. Citing incidents “suggesting that alcohol containing added caffeine presents unusual risks to health and safety,” the FTC letters warned that marketing of such beverages may constitute an unfair or deceptive practice that violates the FTC Act. Companies receiving letters include: […]
FTC Approves Final Order Settling Deceptive Advertising Charges Against Former POM Wonderful Vice President Mark Dreher
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that Mark Dreher, Ph.D. – who was Vice President of Science and Regulatory Affairs of POM Wonderful LLC from approximately August 2005 to May 2009 – made false and unsubstantiated claims that POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice and POMx […]
FTC Approves Fidelity National Financials Proposal to Sell Rights to Michigan Title Plant Assets to Data Trace Information Services, Inc.; FTC Approves Agilent Technologies Application to Modify an Agreement Related to its Varian Acquisition
FTC Approves Fidelity National Financial’s Proposal to Sell Rights to Michigan Title Plant Assets to Data Trace Information Services, Inc. Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a proposal by Fidelity National Financial, Inc. to sell rights to certain assets used in conducting real estate title searches. Fidelity is required to […]
At FTC’s Request, Court Shutters International Robocall Operation
At the request of the Federal Trade Commission, a federal district court in Chicago has shut down an international robocall ring that allegedly conned consumers out of $995 each with false promises that it would reduce their credit card interest rates, but provided little or nothing in return. As part of its crackdown on frauds […]
FTC Requires Universal Health Services to Sell 15 Psychiatric Facilities as a Condition of Acquiring Rival Psychiatric Solutions
The Federal Trade Commission will require Universal Health Services, Inc., one of the nation’s largest hospital management companies, to sell 15 psychiatric facilities as a condition of its $3.1 billion acquisition of Psychiatric Solutions, Inc. The proposed settlement is the latest example of the FTC’s ongoing efforts to promote competition in health care markets. According […]
FTC Puts Conditions on Simon Property Group’s Acquisition of Prime Outlets
The Federal Trade Commission is requiring Simon Property Group, Inc. to divest property and modify tenant leases as part of a settlement designed to preserve outlet center competition in parts of southwest Ohio, Chicago, Illinois, and Orlando, Florida, in the wake of Simon’s purchase of Prime Outlets Acquisition Company, LLC. Under the proposed settlement, Simon […]
FTC Staff: Proposed Alabama Rule Would Likely Limit the Availability and Increase Cost of Pain Management Services for Alabama Consumers
In a comment to the Alabama State Board of Medical Examiners, Federal Trade Commission staff said that the Board’s proposed rule – which would require that interventional pain management services be provided exclusively by doctors – appears overly restrictive and likely detrimental to Alabama patients. The proposed rule would prohibit certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) […]