The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) have signed an agreement to coordinate efforts to protect consumers and avoid duplication of federal law enforcement and regulatory efforts. “The FTC has always been committed to protecting consumers and legitimate companies from bad actors in the financial marketplace,” said FTC Chairman Jon […]
Monthly Archives: January 2012
FTC Approves Universal Health Services’ Application to Sell Puerto Rico Assets
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved an application by Universal Health Services, Inc. to sell what are known as the Puerto Rico Divestiture Assets, including Hospital San Juan Capestrano and its affiliated outpatient centers, to Donald R. Dizney and David A. Dizney, through two companies that are members of the […]
At FTC’s Request, Court Freezes Assets of Telemarketing Operation that Allegedly Made Bogus Claims about Reducing Consumers’ Interest Rates
At the request of the Federal Trade Commission, a U.S. district court has frozen the assets of a telemarketing operation that allegedly charged consumers hundreds of dollars based on bogus promises to either provide them with low-interest credit or refund their money. The court also has ordered the illegal conduct to stop while the FTC […]
FTC Action Stops Marketer in Precious Metals Investment Case
At the request of the Federal Trade Commission, a federal judge stopped the allegedly illegal practices of a defendant who helped operate a telemarketing scheme that is believed to have received more than $37 million by conning consumers into buying precious metals on credit without clearly disclosing significant costs and risks. The court also froze […]
FTC Establishes Streamlined Procedures to Help Maintain the Confidentiality of its Ongoing Investigations; FTC Approves Final Order Settling Charges that PoolCorp Acted Anticompetitively to Stop Manufacturers From Selling Products to Competitors
FTC Establishes Streamlined Procedures to Help Maintain the Confidentiality of its Ongoing Investigations The Federal Trade Commission has approved Rule 2.17, a new component in the agency’s Rules of Practice. The new Rule streamlines internal procedures for staff to seek court orders that prevent certain FTC investigation targets from learning about subpoenas and civil investigative […]
FTC Seeks Public Comment on Agency’s Rules of Practice
The Federal Trade Commission today issued proposed changes to two parts of the procedures that govern the way the agency operates. The proposed changes would streamline the FTC’s investigatory procedures, make updates to keep pace with electronic discovery, and detail the agency’s procedures for evaluating allegations of misconduct by attorneys practicing before the Commission. The […]
CVS Caremark Corporation Settles FTC Deceptive Pricing Charges
CVS Caremark Corporation will pay $5 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it misrepresented the prices of certain Medicare Part D prescription drugs – including drugs used to treat breast cancer symptoms and epilepsy – at CVS and Walgreens pharmacies. The allegedly deceptive claims caused many seniors and disabled consumers to pay significantly […]
FTC Puts Conditions on AmeriGas’s Proposed Acquisition of Rival Propane Distributor Heritage Propane
The Federal Trade Commission will require AmeriGas L.P. and Energy Transfer Partners L.P. (ETP), two of the nation’s largest propane distributors, to amend AmeriGas’s proposed acquisition of ETP’s Heritage Propane business as part of a settlement with the FTC. The settlement resolves FTC charges that the deal, as originally proposed, would have reduced competition and […]
FTC Approves Modified Final Order Settling Charges that Healthcare Technology Holding’s Proposed Acquisition of SDI Health LLC was Anticompetitive
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a modified final order settling charges that Healthcare Technology Holdings, Inc.’s proposed acquisition of SDI Health LLC, through the former’s subsidiary IMS Health Inc., would be anticompetitive and likely would increase prices for market research products in the health care industry. The final order […]
Internet Marketers of Acai Berry Weight-Loss Pills and “Colon Cleansers” to Pay $1.5 Million to Settle FTC Charges of Deceptive Advertising and Unfair Billing
The Federal Trade Commission announced that an operation that marketed acai berry supplements, “colon cleansers,” and other products using allegedly fraudulent free trial offers and phony endorsements from Oprah Winfrey and Rachael Ray will pay $1.5 million as part of a settlement. The money will be made available for consumer refunds. The case against Phoenix-based […]