The Federal Trade Commission charged two men and their companies with unfairly and deceptively billing consumers without their consent, and not providing promised refunds, in violation of federal law. At the FTC’s request, a federal court temporarily halted the defendants’ deceptive practices pending further proceedings, froze their assets, and appointed a receiver to take control […]
Monthly Archives: April 2011
OnGuardOnline.gov Urges Taxpayers to Contact the IRS If They Suspect Tax-Related Identity Theft
OnGuardOnline.gov, a partnership of fourteen federal agencies managed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), is informing consumers that an unexpected message from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) could be a warning sign that their Social Security number is being misused by an identity thief. OnGuardOnline.gov suggests that people contact the IRS if they receive a […]
FTC Settlement Imposes $100,000 Fine Against Online Retailer for Failing to Post Required EnergyGuide Information for Appliances
An online appliance retailer has agreed to pay a $100,000 penalty to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it failed to post required EnergyGuide information on its websites to inform consumers about the energy use of major home appliances it sells. In addition, the FTC has filed an administrative complaint seeking a penalty of $540,000 […]
FTC Testifies on Protecting Social Security Numbers;Millions of Consumers are Victims of Identity Theft Each Year
The Federal Trade Commission today told a House subcommittee that millions of consumers are victims of identity theft each year at a cost of billion of dollars and countless hours of consumers’ time to repair the damage. In testimony before the House Ways and Means Committee’s Social Security Subcommittee, the agency said helping protect consumers […]
FTC, CFTC Agree to Share Information on Energy Investigations
As part of their ongoing efforts to keep markets that they oversee open and fair for American consumers, the Federal Trade Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) today announced that they signed an agreement to foster further cooperation between the two agencies by helping them share nonpublic information. The FTC and CFTC signed a […]
Universal Health Services and Psychiatric Solutions Submit Application to Sell Delaware Behavioral Health Assets
Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) and Psychiatric Solutions, Inc. have submitted an application to the Federal Trade Commission to sell what are known as the Delaware Assets, including MeadowWood Behavioral Health, to PHC, Inc., which does business as Pioneer Behavioral Health. The companies are required to sell the assets under an FTC order settling charges […]
FTC Settlement Collects $2.2 Million, Bans Marketers From Mortgage Relief Business
Under a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission, two companies and three individuals are banned from the mortgage relief services business and must relinquish $2.2 million in assets for consumer refunds. The action is part of the FTC’s ongoing effort to stop scams that target financially strapped homeowners seeking mortgage relief. In November 2009, the […]
FTC to Hold First Roundtable to AddressConsumer Issues in Motor Vehicle Sales and Financing
On Tuesday, the Federal Trade Commission will host the first in a series of roundtables around the country to gather information on consumers’ experiences when buying, financing, or leasing motor vehicles. The first roundtable will focus on consumer protection issues related to sales and financing of consumer vehicles – cars, SUVs, and light trucks. The […]
FTC Bureau of Competition Director Issues Statement on Providence Health & Services’ Abandonment of its Plan to Acquire Spokane Cardiology and Heart Clinics Northwest
Richard Feinstein, Director of the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Competition, issued a statement on the decision by Providence Health & Services to abandon its plans to acquire Spokane Cardiology and Heart Clinics Northwest in Spokane, Washington. On July 21, 2010, Providence Health & Services announced its intention to acquire the two clinics, in a […]
U.S. Court of Appeals Upholds FTC Order in RealComp Matter
Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz issued the following statement regarding this week’s ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit upholding the FTC’s order in the RealComp matter. In November 2009, the FTC issued an opinion finding that RealComp II, a Michigan-based realtors’ group, violated federal law by restricting the ability […]