The market for fuel ethanol in the United States remains unconcentrated, with 154 firms nationwide either producing ethanol or likely to be in production in the next 12 to 18 months, according to the Federal Trade Commission’s 2012 report on the state of U.S. ethanol production. The FTC report is the agency’s eighth annual report […]
Monthly Archives: November 2012
Statement by FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection Director David Vladeck Regarding Judges Approval of Google Safari Settlement
Federal Trade Commission Bureau of Consumer Protection Director David Vladeck issued the following statement regarding a federal judge’s approval of the FTC proposed order and $22.5 million civil penalty settling charges that Google misrepresented privacy assurances to users of Apple’s Safari Internet browser in violation of a previous FTC settlement Order: “The court’s approval of […]
FTC Warns Mortgage Advertisers that Their Ads May Violate Federal Law
After reviewing hundreds of mortgage advertisements, the Federal Trade Commission staff has sent letters to 20 companies, warning them that their ads may be deceptive. The FTC sent its warning letters to real estate agents, home builders, and lead generators, urging them to review their advertisements for compliance with the Mortgage Acts and Practices Advertising […]
FTC and CFPB to Announce Coordinated Effort to Protect Consumers
WHAT: On Monday, November 19, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) will hold a press call to announce a coordinated effort to protect consumers. The call will begin with statements by Kent Markus, CFPB Assistant Director of Enforcement, and Thomas B. Pahl, Assistant Director in the FTC’s Division of […]
FTC and Pennsylvania Attorney General Challenge Reading Health Systems’ Proposed Acquisition of Surgical Institute of Reading
The Federal Trade Commission today authorized an action to block Reading Health System’s proposed acquisition of Surgical Institute of Reading L.P. (SIR), alleging that the combination of the two health care providers would substantially reduce competition in the area surrounding Reading, Pennsylvania, and lead to reduced quality and higher health care costs for the area’s […]
FTC Warns Consumers: Robocalls Touting Expedited FTC Refunds Are Fake
Scammers are using illegal robocalls to impersonate the Federal Trade Commission, and to try to trick consumers into disclosing their bank account information on a non-FTC website, the agency warns. The scammers’ robocalls direct consumers to the website http://ftcrefund.com, which deceives consumers into thinking they can get, or expedite, a refund from the FTC by […]
FTC Announces Expanded Fight to Stop Deceptive Business Opportunity Schemes
The Federal Trade Commission will host a press conference in Washington, DC, on Thursday, November 15, 2012, at 11 a.m. ET to announce a major federal-state law enforcement crackdown on scams that falsely promise jobs and opportunities to “be your own boss” to people who are unemployed or underemployed. David C. Vladeck, Director of the […]
FTC Expands Fight Against Deceptive Business Opportunity Schemes
The Federal Trade Commission today announced seven new law enforcement actions and developments in five other FTC cases involving scams that falsely promise jobs and opportunities to “be your own boss” to people who are unemployed or underemployed. Six of the new FTC actions are the first cases brought under the FTC’s recently updated Business […]
FTC Requires Divestitures for Hertz’s Proposed $2.3 Billion Acquisition of Dollar Thrifty to Preserve Competition in Airport Car Rental Markets
The Federal Trade Commission will require Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. (Hertz) to sell its Advantage Rent A Car (Advantage) business, as well as the rights to operate 29 Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. (Dollar Thrifty) on-airport locations around the country, under a proposed settlement that resolves charges that Hertz’s $2.3 billion acquisition of Dollar Thrifty […]
FTC Issues Performance and Accountability Report for Fiscal Year 2012
The Federal Trade Commission has issued its Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 Performance and Accountability Report. The report shows American taxpayers how the FTC has managed its resources, highlights major accomplishments in fulfilling the FTC’s two core goals of protecting consumers and promoting competition, and outlines plans for addressing future challenges. As required by the Reports […]