The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comments on its Fur Labeling and Advertising Rules – commonly known as the Fur Rules – and announcing upcoming changes required by Congress. The Rules require fur manufacturers and retailers to label fur products with certain information, such as the animal’s name, the name of the manufacturer, and […]
Monthly Archives: March 2011
FTC Issues Final Amendments to Its Fuel Rating Rule, Including New Octane Rating Method
The Federal Trade Commission has announced amendments to the agency rule that determines the fuel rating that appears on fuel pump labels, how octane levels are calculated, and helps drivers make informed decisions about what fuel to use when they fill up their vehicles. In 2009, the FTC initiated a review of the Fuel Rating […]
FTC Testifies Before the Senate Commerce Committee on Privacy; Industry Efforts to Implement “Do Not Track” System Already Underway
In testimony before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, the Federal Trade Commission discussed its efforts to protect consumer privacy through enforcement actions, consumer education, and policy initiatives like the FTC staff’s recent preliminary privacy report. The report proposes a framework to balance consumer privacy with industry innovation by: 1) building privacy protections […]
Leading Debt Collector Agrees to Pay Record $2.8 Million to Settle FTC Charges
A leading debt collection company has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $2.8 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that its aggressive collection techniques violated federal law. As part of its efforts to protect consumers affected by the struggling economy, the FTC alleged that West Asset Management, Inc. violated the FTC Act and […]
Firm to Pay FTC $250,000 to Settle Charges That It Used Misleading Online “Consumer” and “Independent” Reviews
A company selling a popular series of guitar-lesson DVDs will pay $250,000 to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it deceptively advertised its products through online affiliate marketers who falsely posed as ordinary consumers or independent reviewers. The FTC complaint against Nashville, Tennessee-based Legacy Learning Systems Inc. and its owner, Lester Gabriel Smith, is part […]
FTC Recovers Additional $2.1 Million for Consumers Defrauded by AmeriDebt Scam
On March 9, an administrator working for the Federal Trade Commission mailed 78,552 refund checks to consumers defrauded by a credit counseling/debt management scam run by Andris Pukke and his companies, AmeriDebt, Inc. and DebtWorks, Inc. The FTC alleged that the defendants deceived consumers about the fees for debt management plans and misrepresented that AmeriDebt […]
In the Wake of Japan’s Massive Earthquake, FTC Warns Consumers About Potential Charity Scams
After the earthquake that rocked Japan’s northeast coast and triggered a widespread tsunami last week, the Federal Trade Commission is urging consumers to be cautious of potential charity scams. The FTC, the nation’s consumer protection agency, warns consumers to carefully consider urgent appeals for aid that they receive in person, by phone or mail, by […]
FTC Puts an End to Tactics of Online Advertising Company That Deceived Consumers Who Wanted to “Opt Out” from Targeted Ads
The FTC reached a settlement with online advertising company Chitika, Inc. that ends the company’s allegedly deceptive practice of tracking consumers’ online activities even after they have chosen to opt out of online tracking on Chitika’s website. The FTC investigated Chitika as part of its ongoing efforts to protect consumers’ privacy online. Chitika, whose website […]
FTC Accepts Final Settlement with Twitter for Failure to Safeguard Personal Information
The Federal Trade Commission has finalized a proposed settlement that it announced in June 2010 with social networking site Twitter, which resolved charges that Twitter deceived consumers and put their privacy at risk by failing to safeguard their personal information. The FTC alleged that serious lapses in the company’s data security allowed hackers to obtain […]
FTC To Host Consumer Debt Collection Technology Workshop
On April 28, 2011, the Federal Trade Commission will host a public workshop to examine how debt collectors are using new technologies and how this affects consumers. The workshop, titled “Debt Collection 2.0: Protecting Consumers as Technologies Change,” will feature consumer advocates, industry representatives, technologists, academics, and government officials. As noted in the FTC’s Federal […]