The operators of a Philadelphia-based telemarketing scheme will pay more than $7.5 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they peddled bogus “platinum” credit cards and illegally debited consumers’ bank accounts. Under a settlement with the FTC, Blake Rubin, Chase Rubin, and Justin Diaczuk — the individuals allegedly behind the Platinum Trust Card and […]
Monthly Archives: September 2012
FTC Reopens Public Comment Period for Pet Medications Workshop
The Federal Trade Commission has reopened the public comment period for next month’s workshop focusing on competition and consumer protection issues in the pet medications industry, and will now accept comments through November 1, 2012. The Commission is seeking the views of consumers, veterinarians, pharmacists, manufacturers, business representatives, economists, lawyers, academics, and other interested parties […]
Chicago Funeral Home Agrees to Settle FTC Charges for Funeral Rule Violations
A Chicago funeral home operator has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that he violated the Funeral Rule, which helps to ensure that people have the information they need to compare prices and buy only the funeral services and goods they want. In July 2011, at the FTC’s request, the U.S. Department of Justice […]
FTC Action Halts Debt Relief Marketing Operation
At the Federal Trade Commission’s request, a federal court halted a purported debt relief operation that allegedly contacted consumers through prerecorded telemarketing calls, falsely claimed it would reduce their unsecured debt by 50 percent or more, made unauthorized charges to their bank accounts, and called phone numbers listed on the National Do Not Call Registry. […]
Two Online Placement Services for Senior Care Centers Settle FTC Charges
Two companies that recommend long-term care facilities for senior citizens have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they misled consumers to think that they had researched the facilities and had detailed knowledge about them. The proposed settlements, which prohibit the respondents from misrepresenting their services in the future, resolve the FTC’s first cases […]
FTC Reminds People Entering the Diversity Visa Lottery:Understand the Steps So You Can Avoid Scam
Every year, scam artists target immigrants who enter the U.S. Department of State’s Diversity Visa Lottery Program. The Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, says immigrants who understand how the program works may be less likely to be scammed. To that end, the FTC is releasing a consumer alert and video, in Spanish […]
FTC Tells House Panel that Enforcing the Fair Credit Reporting Act Remains a Priority of the Agency
The Federal Trade Commission told a House subcommittee that strong enforcement of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) remains a top priority for the FTC, and that the agency is committed to educating consumers and businesses about consumer reports, credit scores, and their rights and obligations under the FCRA. The Commission testimony before the House […]
FTC Staff Makes Recommendations to FERC on Measures to Reduce Cost of Providing Electricity, Improve Power System Reliability
The Federal Trade Commission’s staff submitted a comment to the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission recommending ways to lower the barriers faced by companies seeking to enter regional and local markets to sell services that maintain or enhance the reliability of electricity generation, transmission, and distribution. The comment also discussed ways to promote more efficient […]
FTC Charges Second “Affiliate Network” of Internet Advertisers with Deceiving Consumers by Using Fake News Sites to Market Acai Berry Weight-Loss Products and Colon Cleansers
The Federal Trade Commission has charged the Coleadium, Inc. affiliate network which uses the name “Ads4Dough,” and its owner, with recruiting affiliate marketers that made deceptive claims on fake news sites to promote acai berry supplements, and so-called “colon cleansers,” as weight-loss products. According to the FTC, in addition to misleading consumers about the effectiveness […]
FTC Announces Agenda for Upcoming Pet Meds Workshop
The Federal Trade Commission has posted an agenda for next month’s workshop focusing on the pet medications industry in the United States. FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz is scheduled to provide opening remarks, and will be joined at the event by industry members, veterinarians, and other professionals involved in the sale of pet medications. The October […]