FTC Finalizes Settlement with Data Broker Agency Charged Privacy Pledges Were Deceptive

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has accepted a final settlement with an online data broker that charged consumers $10 based on the false promise that it could “lock their records” so that others could not see or buy them. The FTC charged that its claims were deceptive and violated federal law. […]

FTC Withdraws Appeal Seeking a Preliminary Injunction to Stop LabCorp’s Integration With Westcliff Medical Laboratories

The Federal Trade Commission has withdrawn its appeal of a court order denying a preliminary injunction regarding Laboratory Corporation of America’s 2010 acquisition of Westcliff Medical Laboratories, Inc. Although LabCorp consummated the acquisition in June 2010, the FTC was seeking the federal court injunction to prevent LabCorp from integrating the companies pending the outcome of […]

FTC Approves Monitor Trustee and Agreement to Ensure Polypore’s Compliance with the Commission’s Final Order

The Federal Trade Commission has approved the appointment of a monitor trustee and a related agreement to ensure that Polypore International, Inc. fully complies with a 2010 Commission administrative order to divest the assets of rival firm Microporous Products L.P., which it acquired in 2008. The FTC’s administrative complaint, issued in September 2008, challenged Polypore’s […]

FTC To Host Workshop on Protecting Consumers From Lottery, Prize, and Sweepstakes Scams and Other Frauds that Use Money Transfers

On May 2-3, 2011, the Federal Trade Commission will host a public workshop in Chicago to examine what more can be done to protect consumers from lottery, prize, and sweepstakes scams, and other scams that use money transfers through companies like MoneyGram and Western Union as the method of payment. The workshop, “‘Congratulations, You’re a […]

FTC Staff: Mississippi Bill That Would Give State Pharmacy Board Authority Over PBMs Likely to Increase Prescription Drug Costs and Reduce Competition

The staff of the Federal Trade Commission has sent comments to State Representative Mark Formby of the Mississippi House of Representatives stating that proposed legislation that would subject pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) to regulation by the state’s Board of Pharmacy may increase prescription drug prices and reduce competition within the state. PBMs contract with health […]

FTC Warns Consumers About Scam Artists Pitch for Potassium Iodide Treatment

Recent reports of events in Japan are causing scam artists to try to convince consumers that they need potassium iodide pills and drops to protect themselves.  Potassium iodide, or KI, can help prevent thyroid cancer, which is one of the biggest risks from contamination with radioactive iodine.  However, public health experts agree that U.S. residents […]

FTC Submits 2011 Fair Debt Collection Practices Report to Congress

At a time when many consumers are having trouble paying their debts, the Federal Trade Commission issued its 33rd annual report describing the agency’s law enforcement and other efforts to protect consumers from unfair, deceptive, and abusive debt collection practices. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) prohibits these and other improper practices by third-party […]

Money-Making Scam Owner Will Pay Almost $1 Million and Sell House and Personal Property to Settle Prior FTC Judgment

The operator of a defunct money-making scam has agreed to settle a federal court judgment the Federal Trade Commission obtained against him in 2007 for falsely claiming his “wealth building” program would teach consumers how to make substantial income in a short time by buying and selling privately held mortgages. Under the settlement, John Stefanchik […]

FTC Reopens and Sets Aside Two Commission Orders Related to Agriums Now-Abandoned Acquisition of CF Industries

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has reopened and set aside two related FTC orders, in response to a petition by Agrium Inc. The Decision and Order required Agrium, an agricultural products supplier, to divest a range of assets, to settle the Commission’s allegations that Agrium’s proposed acquisition of competitor CF Industries […]

Payday Loan Marketers Who Allegedly Tricked Consumers into Buying Prepaid Debit Cards Will Pay More Than $800,000 to Settle FTC Charges

Two men who operated a service matching borrowers with potential lenders will pay $800,000 and the proceeds from the sale of a house to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they tricked hundreds of thousands of payday loan applicants into paying for an unrelated debit card. The FTC is closely monitoring payday lending and other […]