FTC Names Edward D. Hassi Chief Litigation Counsel in Agency’s Bureau of Competition

Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz today announced the appointment of Edward D. (Ted) Hassi, formerly a partner at the law firm O’Melveny & Myers LLP, as Chief Litigation Counsel for the agency’s Bureau of Competition. He replaces J. Robert Roberston, who left the agency in 2010 to return to private practice. “We are delighted […]

FTC Adds Further Factual Details to Complaint in Case Against Lights of America, Inc.

The Federal Trade Commission has added further factual details to its complaint against a company that allegedly misled consumers by exaggerating the light output and life expectancy of its Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs. In the FTC’s original complaint against Lights of America, Inc. and its two principals, filed in September 2010, the agency charged […]

FTC Offers Tips on Wise Use of Wi-Fi Networks

The Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, today released tips to help people protect their personal information while they use public wireless networks – Wi-Fi hotspots in coffee shops, libraries, airports, hotels, universities, and other public places. While convenient, public Wi-Fi networks often are not secure. When using wireless networks, it’s best to […]

FTC’s Mortgage Assistance Relief Services Advance Fee Ban Takes Effect

The advance fee ban under the FTC’s Mortgage Assistance Relief Services (MARS) Rule is designed to protect financially distressed homeowners from mortgage relief scams that have sprung up during the mortgage crisis. “Banning the collection of up-front fees will protect homeowners from being victimized,” FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz said. “This is especially important at a […]

Business Opportunity Con Artist Surrenders Million-Dollar Las Vegas Home, Gives Up Appeal in FTC Contempt Case

After trying for years to keep assets he acquired while deceiving consumers with false promotions and bogus business opportunity pitches, a repeat offender has agreed to turn over his Las Vegas home, valued at over $1 million, and give up his appeal of the Federal Trade Commission’s case against him. The settlement announced today wraps […]

FTC Denies North Carolina Dental Board’s Motion to Dismiss Allegations That it Stifled Competition for Teeth-Whitening Services

The Federal Trade Commission denied a motion by the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners to dismiss a complaint filed by the FTC’s staff which charges that the Dental Board stifled competition by blocking non-dentists from providing teeth-whitening services. The Commission issued an Opinion and Order unanimously rejecting the Dental Board’s argument that the […]

Canadian Telemarketer Previously Sued by FTC Gets Nine-Year Prison Sentence in Subsequent Criminal Case Filed by U.S. Attorney

A federal judge has imposed a nine-year prison sentence on a Canada-based con artist who was charged by the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California with defrauding elderly consumers using phony claims about non-existent prizes and investments. In the sentencing hearing, the judge called the scheme “cold, calculating, callous behavior.” In addition to […]

FTC Offers Businesses Tips for Dealing with Medical Identity Theft

For Your Information February 4, 2011  The Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, has information for health care providers and insurers about how to help patients minimize the risk of medical identity theft and deal with the consequences if they become victims of it.  Here are the highlights of the FTC’s new publication, […]

FTC Approves Final Order Settling Charges That Dannon Made Deceptive Claims for Activia Yogurt and DanActive Dairy Drink

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission finalized the Order settling charges that The Dannon Company, Inc. exaggerated the health benefits of its Activia yogurt and DanActive dairy drink, two popular products that contain beneficial bacteria known as probiotics. Under the proposed administrative settlement announced in December, Dannon agreed to stop claiming that […]

Credit Report Resellers Settle FTC Charges; Security Failures Allowed Hackers to Access Consumers’ Personal Information

As part of the Federal Trade Commission’s ongoing campaign to protect consumers’ personal information, three companies whose business is reselling consumers’ credit reports have agreed to settle FTC charges that they did not take reasonable steps to protect consumers’ personal information, failures that allowed computer hackers to access that data. The settlements require the companies […]