FTC Puts Conditions on Keystone’s $245 Million Purchase of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain’s Advanced Ceramics Business

The Federal Trade Commission moved to preserve competition in the North American market for alumina wear tile by imposing conditions on Keystone Holdings, LLC and Compagnie de Saint-Gobain in a settlement involving Keystone’s planned acquisition of Saint-Gobain’s Advanced Ceramics Business. Alumina wear tile protects industrial equipment from abrasive wear. Equipment protected by the tiles includes […]

FTC Charges Massive Internet Enterprise with Scamming Consumers Out of Millions Billing Month-After-Month for Products and Services They Never Ordered

The Federal Trade Commission is taking legal action against a far-reaching Internet enterprise that allegedly has made millions of dollars by luring consumers into “trial” memberships for bogus government-grant and money-making schemes, and then repeatedly charging them monthly fees for these and other memberships that they never signed up for. The FTC seeks to stop […]

FTC Proposes Additional Time for Manufacturers to Adopt New Light Bulb Labels

The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comments on whether to provide manufacturers approximately six additional months to incorporate new light bulb labels on their packaging, and whether to exempt certain bulbs that will soon be obsolete from those requirements. The new labels, which were announced last summer, will help consumers choose among the different […]

Countdown to National Consumer Protection Week 2011 Begins; Website and Blog Launched

The Federal Trade Commission has launched the website and blog for National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2011, to be held March 6-12. The annual event, now in its 13th year, is hosted by the FTC and nearly 30 other government agencies, consumer groups, and national organizations. The website, www.ncpw.gov, provides information about consumer rights, and […]

FTC Offers Online Shopping Tips for the Holidays

Tips for Consumers December 17, 2010 The Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, has tips to help consumers make smart online shopping decisions for the holidays: Know who you’re dealing with: Confirm the online seller’s physical address and phone number before you buy. Know what you’re buying: Read the seller’s description of the […]

FTC Staff Submits Comments to Federal Reserve on Making Fair Lending Law Stronger; FTC Announces Increase in Maximum Charge for Extra Copies of Credit Reports

FTC Staff Submits Comments to Federal Reserve on Making Fair Lending Law Stronger The Federal Trade Commission staff has submitted comments to the Federal Reserve Board recommending ways the Board could strengthen the rules under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, which requires some mortgage lenders to collect and report loan data that the government uses […]

FTC Revises Jewelry Guides to Reflect the Use of Base Metal Alloys in Platinum Jewelry

In response to industry changes, the Federal Trade Commission today announced revisions to its Jewelry Guides to help ensure that consumers are not deceived when buying platinum products and that marketers understand how certain new platinum/metal alloys – products made of a combination of platinum and non-precious “base” metals – should be described and advertised. […]

Statement by FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz on Department of Commerce’s Green Paper on Consumer Privacy

For Release December 16, 2010 “The Department of Commerce’s Green Paper is a welcome addition to the ongoing dialogue about protecting consumers’ privacy.  It places special emphasis on policies that will preserve the viability of the Internet as it evolves through innovation, transforms the marketplace, and spurs economic growth.  We think it will make a […]

Statement by FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz Regarding House and Senate Passage of Legislation to Combat Deceptive Online Sales Tactics

Congress has passed the “Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act” to combat deceptive online sales tactics that keep charging consumers for goods and services until they cancel their membership.  In so-called “negative option” plans, the seller interprets the consumer’s silence or failure to reject goods or services, or to cancel the sales agreement, as acceptance of […]

Dannon Agrees to Drop Exaggerated Health Claims for Activia Yogurt and DanActive Dairy Drink

The Dannon Company, Inc. has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges of deceptive advertising and drop claims that allegedly exaggerated the health benefits of its Activia yogurt and DanActive dairy drink. These two popular Dannon products contain beneficial bacteria known as probiotics. Dannon will stop claiming that one daily serving of Activia relieves irregularity, […]