By a vote of 5-0, the Federal Trade Commission has issued an order dismissing its complaint in Laboratory Corporation of America’s acquisition of Westcliff Medical Laboratories, Inc., and closing the Commission’s investigation of the matter. A statement by Commissioners Jon Leibowitz, William Kovacic, and Edith Ramirez concluded, “While we continue to have reason to believe […]
Monthly Archives: April 2011
FTC Offers Facts to Help U.S. Diversity Visa Lottery Applicants Avoid Fraud
Tips for Consumers April 22, 2011 The Federal Trade Commission is offering information to help prospective immigrants avoid fraud when seeking green cards – the right to live in the Unites States permanently. Even though the U.S. State Department’s Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) program is free and the agency does not authorize any other organization […]
FTC Approves Final Order Settling Charges that Universal Health Services, Inc.s Acquisition of Psychiatric Solutions, Inc. Was Anticompetitive
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission approved a final modified order settling charges that Universal Health Services, Inc.’s (UHS) proposed acquisition of Psychiatric Solutions, Inc. was anticompetitive and would have substantially reduced competition in the provision of acute inpatient psychiatric services in three local markets: Delaware, Puerto Rico, and metropolitan Las Vegas, […]
Maker of Rascal Scooters to Pay $100,000 for Violating FTCs Do Not Call Rules
The manufacturer of Rascal Scooters, used by disabled and senior consumers with limited mobility, will pay $100,000 to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it illegally called millions of consumers who had chosen to avoid unwanted telemarketing calls by listing their phone numbers on the national Do Not Call Registry. The FTC alleges the firm […]
FTC and Georgia Attorney General Challenge Phoebe Putney Health System’s Proposed Acquisition of Palmyra Park Hospital as Anticompetitive
By a 5-0 vote, the Federal Trade Commission challenged Phoebe Putney Health System, Inc.’s (Phoebe’s) proposed acquisition of rival Palmyra Park Hospital, Inc. (Palmyra) from HCA, in Albany, Georgia. The FTC’s administrative complaint alleges that the deal will reduce competition significantly and allow the combined Phoebe/Palmyra to raise prices for general acute-care hospital services charged […]
FTC Undercover Shopper Survey on Enforcement of Entertainment Ratings Finds Compliance Worst for Retailers of Music CDs and the Highest Among Video Game Sellers
Following an established trend, a Federal Trade Commission undercover shopper survey found that video game retailers continue to enforce most vigorously the ratings governing age and content that were established by the entertainment media industry. Music CD retailers lag far behind movie theaters, as well as movie DVD and video game retailers, in preventing unaccompanied […]
FTC Seeks to Halt 10 Operators of Fake News Sites from Making Deceptive Claims About Acai Berry Weight Loss Products
The Federal Trade Commission is requesting federal courts to temporarily halt the allegedly deceptive tactics of 10 operations using fake news websites to market acai berry weight-loss products. The FTC seeks to permanently stop this misleading practice and has asked courts to freeze the operations’ assets pending trial. According to the FTC, the defendants operate […]
FTC Files Contempt Charges Against Marketer of Credit Repair, Debt Relief, Food Stamp Services
The Federal Trade Commission has filed contempt charges against a promoter of credit repair and debt relief services and three of his companies, alleging that they continued their deceptive marketing practices in violation of a federal court order. The FTC charged that the defendants tried to take advantage of financially strapped consumers by falsely telling […]
FTC Cracks Down on Fake News Websites Used toAdvertise Acai Berry Weight-Loss Pills
WHAT: The Federal Trade Commission will hold a press conference on Tuesday, April 19, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. CT, to announce lawsuits against third-party Internet marketers of acai berry weight-loss pills. WHO: Charles Harwood, Deputy Director, FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection A representative of the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, which is bringing a separate case […]
FTC Returns $2.3 Million to Consumers; Mortgage Foreclosure Rescue Scam Victims Receive Full Refunds
An administrator working for the Federal Trade Commission has mailed 1,410 refund checks to consumers allegedly defrauded by Home Assure LLC, a so-called mortgage foreclosure rescue service. The FTC alleged that the company charged consumers an up-front fee and falsely claimed its special relationships with lenders would enable it to get favorable loan modifications or […]