Tips for Consumers December 7, 2012 Just in time for the holiday shopping season, the Federal Trade Commission has 12 practical tips to help you watch your wallet, shop wisely, and protect your personal information. Make a shopping list and check it twice. Make sure your budget includes incidentals like cards, wrapping paper, parking, or […]
Monthly Archives: December 2012
Federal Trade Commission, Department of Justice to Hold Workshop on Patent Assertion Entity Activities
The Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice will hold a joint public workshop on Dec. 10, 2012, to explore the impact of patent assertion entity (PAE) activities on innovation and competition and the implications for antitrust enforcement and policy. This workshop will examine the economic and legal implications of PAE activity, as distinct from […]
Statement by Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz on the Sentencing of Phony Sweepstakes Scheme Operator
Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz issued the following statement regarding the Sentencing of Osman Bah, of Owings Mills, Md., to 108 months in prison for his role in a phony sweepstakes scheme that defrauded thousands of U.S. consumers of more than $10 million. Operators of this scam called consumers and told them that they […]
FTC to Host Comprehensive Collection of Web Data Workshop Tomorrow
The Federal Trade Commission will host a workshop tomorrow exploring the practices and privacy implications of comprehensive data collection. FTC Commissioner Julie Brill will deliver the opening remarks, and Commissioner Maureen Ohlhausen will provide remarks after lunch. Consumer protection organizations, academics, business and industry representatives, privacy professionals, and others will join FTC staff to examine […]
FTC Files Amicus Brief Explaining How Injunctions Related to Standard-Essential Patents Can Harm Competition, Innovation, and Consumers
The Federal Trade Commission filed an amicus brief in the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals explaining that it is ordinarily inappropriate for a court to issue an injunction barring the sale of products incorporating standardized, patented technology when the patent holder has previously committed to license the patent on fair and reasonable terms. This brief […]
FTC Settlement Puts an End to “History Sniffing” by Online Advertising Network Charged With Deceptively Gathering Data on Consumers
An online advertising company agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it used “history sniffing” to secretly and illegally gather data from millions of consumers about their interest in sensitive medical and financial issues ranging from fertility and incontinence to debt relief and personal bankruptcy. The FTC settlement order bars the company, Epic Marketplace […]
Settlement with FTC Puts Alleged Marketer of Fraudulent Auto Loan Modifications Out of Business
The Federal Trade Commission put a stop to a California-based auto loan modification operation that settled FTC charges after allegedly deceived consumers with false promises that it could get auto loans modified and stop cars from being repossessed. Patrick Freeman, the sole owner of the Hope for Car Owners operation, has agreed to a settlement […]
FTC Proposes Modifications to Used Car Rule
As part of the Federal Trade Commission’s systematic review of all of the agency’s rules and guides to ensure that they are up-to-date, effective, and not overly burdensome, the FTC is seeking public comment on proposed changes to the Used Car Buyers Guide required by the agency’s Used Car Rule. The Commission is also issuing […]
FTC Approves Final Order Restoring Competition for Adult Cardiology Services in Reno, Nevada
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order restoring competition for adult cardiology services in Reno, Nevada. Under the order, Renown Health, the largest provider of acute care hospital services in northern Nevada, released its cardiologist employees from “non-compete” contract clauses, allowing up to 10 of them to join […]
FTC Shuts Down Robocall Operation That Allegedly Claimed to Help Consumers Get FTC Consumer Refunds
At the request of the Federal Trade Commission, a federal district court temporarily shut down a robocall operation that allegedly impersonated the agency in an attempt to trick consumers into turning over their bank account information and other sensitive personal data, pending resolution of the FTC’s case. The FTC seeks to permanently stop the scheme. […]