FTC Approves Final Order Settling Charges that Oreck Corporation Made False and Unproven Claims That Its Ultraviolet Vacuum and Air Cleaner Can Prevent Illness

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission finalized the Order settling charges that Oreck Corporation made false and unproven claims that two of its appliances can reduce the risk of flu and other illnesses, and eliminate virtually all common germs and allergens.  The company also agreed to pay $750,000. Under the proposed administrative […]

FTC Charges Promissory Note Pitchman With Deceiving Consumers

The Federal Trade Commission has charged Russell Dalbey, the CEO and founder of the company behind the “wealth-building” program “Winning in the Cash Flow Business,” with defrauding consumers, in some cases out of thousands of dollars, with phony claims that they could make large amounts of money quickly and easily by finding, brokering, and earning […]

FTC Conditions Irving Oil’s Proposed Acquisition of ExxonMobil Assets in Maine

The Federal Trade Commission will require Irving Oil Terminals Inc. and Irving Oil Limited (collectively, Irving) to relinquish the rights to terminal and pipeline assets in Maine that Irving acquired from ExxonMobil, to maintain competition in gasoline and distillates terminaling services in the South Portland and Bangor/Penobscot Bay areas. The proposed settlement resolves the FTC’s […]

FTC Seeks Input for Revising Its Guidance to Businesses About Disclosures in Online Advertising

The staff of the Federal Trade Commission is updating “Dot Com Disclosures:  Information About Online Advertising,” the guidance document that advises businesses how federal advertising law applies to advertising and sales on the Internet.  [Download “Dot Com Disclosures” here.]  The online world has changed dramatically since the original guidance was published in 2000, and the […]

FTC Settlements Put Debt Relief Operations Out of Business

The FTC has settled two actions that charged marketers with deceptively claiming they could reduce consumers’ credit card interest rates. Both operations allegedly made deceptive telemarketing calls, called consumers on the Do Not Call Registry, and used illegal robocalls. The settlements will ban all of the defendants from selling debt relief services. Advanced Management Services […]

FTC Offers Tips to Stretch Your Gas Dollars

The Federal Trade Commission is offering tips to help consumers save money at the pump and get better gas mileage. At the PumpCheck your owner’s manual for the right octane level for your car. Regular octane gas is recommended for most cars. See The Low-Down on High Octane Gasoline. Shop around. Specialized phone apps and […]

Online Marketers of Bogus “$10,000 Credit Line” Ordered to Pay $3.7 Million, Cited for Contempt

At the request of the Federal Trade Commission, a federal district court judge ordered a deceptive marketing operation to pay more than $3.7 million as part of a contempt action for violating a 2008 court order. The FTC alleged that the defendants targeted consumers who were unemployed or had poor credit, selling a bogus “$10,000 […]

FTC Stops Marketers in Nationwide Free VacationPrize Scam Targeting Spanish-Speaking Consumers

The Federal Trade Commission, as part of its Hispanic Law Enforcement Initiative, has filed two court actions against five companies and their owners for allegedly tricking consumers into paying fees for vacation packages they supposedly won in contests, and then failing to provide the promised vacations. At the FTC’s request, the court halted the defendants’ […]

FTC Files Amicus Brief in U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in K-Dur Antitrust Litigation Urging Reversal of Pay-for-Delay Ruling

The Federal Trade Commission filed an amicus brief before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in support of private class action plaintiffs who have challenged the legality of patent settlements between branded and generic manufacturers of the high blood pressure medication K-Dur 20. The FTC’s brief urges the Third Circuit to reverse […]

FTC Seeks Public Comment on Alternative Fuels Rule

The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comments on the costs, benefits, necessity, and regulatory and economic impact of its Labeling Requirements for Alternative Fuels and Alternative Fueled Vehicles (AFVs), also called the Alternative Fuels Rule. The FTC is conducting this review as part of the agency’s ongoing, systematic review of all FTC rules and […]