Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved final orders settling charges against three credit report resellers, SettlementOne Credit Corporation; ACRAnet, Inc.; and Fajilan and Associates, Inc., also doing business as Statewide Credit Services. The FTC alleged the companies did not take reasonable information security steps to protect consumers’ data, allowing hackers […]
Monthly Archives: August 2011
FTC Seeks Public Comment on Consumer Product Warranty Rules
As part of the Federal Trade Commission’s systematic review of all FTC rules and guides, the agency is seeking public comment on its Rules and guidance regarding product warranties under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. The agency is seeking comment on the FTC’s Interpretations of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, the FTC’s Guides for the Advertising of […]
FTC Publication Fosters Online Safety for Tweens and Teens
Tips for Consumers August 15, 2011 Being online is part of kids’ lives. The Federal Trade Commission has a new publication that talks to tweens and teens about what they do online, and how the choices they make matter. Living Life Online offers short articles, activities, quizzes, and an ask-the-expert column, all to help kids […]
FTC Staff: No Present Intention of Challenging Council of Better Business Bureaus’ Accountability Program for Online Behavioral Advertising as Anticompetitive
The Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Competition has issued an advisory opinion letter stating that it has no present intention to challenge the Council of Better Business Bureaus’ (CBBB) proposed “accountability program,” which would hold companies engaged in online behavioral advertising accountable for compliance with the “Self-Regulatory Principles for Online Behavioral Advertising.” These principles were […]
Mobile Apps Developer Settles FTC Charges It Violated Children’s Privacy Rule
A developer of mobile applications, including children’s games for the iPhone and iPod touch, will pay $50,000 to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and the FTC’s COPPA Rule by illegally collecting and disclosing personal information from tens of thousands of children under age 13 without […]
FTC Modifies Part 3 of Agency’s Rules of Practice
The Federal Trade Commission today announced changes to several sections of the agency’s Rules of Practice to streamline the adjudicative review process. The “Part 3″ Rules govern how competition and consumer protection cases are tried before an Administrative Law Judge. If appealed following an ALJ’s initial decision, they are heard by the full Commission. The […]
FTC Seeks Comment for Review of “Unavailability Rule”
As part of the Federal Trade Commission’s systematic review of all agency rules and guides, the FTC seeks public comment on a Rule that governs retail food advertising. The Rule prohibits food retailers from advertising products at a stated price unless the products are in stock and available during the effective period of the advertisement, […]
FTC Staff Says Proposed New York Legislation Would Reduce Competition and Likely Lead to Higher Prescription Drug Costs
Federal Trade Commission staff, in response to a request for comment from New York State Senator James L. Seward, stated that consumers are likely to be harmed by proposed state legislation that would limit a health plan’s ability to steer beneficiaries to a lower cost mail order provider of prescription drugs. The FTC staff comment […]
FTC Charges Marketers with Tricking People Who Applied for Payday Loans; Used Bank Account Information to Charge Consumers for Unwanted Programs
At the request of the Federal Trade Commission, a federal court has halted an online operation that allegedly debited consumers’ bank accounts without their consent when consumers visited the defendants’ websites seeking payday loans. The court also froze the defendants’ assets, pending further court proceedings. As part of its continuing efforts to protect financially strapped […]
FTC to Hold Second Roundtable to Address Consumer Issues in Motor Vehicle Sales and Financing
Media Advisory August 1, 2011 On Tuesday, the Federal Trade Commission will host the second in a series of roundtables around the country to gather information on consumers’ experiences when buying or financing motor vehicles. The second roundtable will focus on motor vehicle sales and financing issues pertaining to military consumers, fair lending, and financial […]