An administrator working for the Federal Trade Commission today began mailing refund checks totalling approximately $1.7 million to 22,764 consumers who were defrauded by a group that used websites to falsely claim they could help consumers get free government grant money. After extensive litigation, the FTC settled with four of the defendants and won summary […]
Monthly Archives: May 2013
FTC Warns Data Broker Operations of Possible Privacy Violations
The Federal Trade Commission sent letters to ten data broker companies warning that their practices could violate the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) after a test-shopping operation by the FTC indicated the companies were willing to sell consumer information without abiding by FCRA requirements. The test-shopping operation was part of a worldwide privacy protection effort. […]
FTC Testifies on Credit Reporting Accuracy Study, FCRA Enforcement, Credit Education
The Federal Trade Commission testified before a U.S. Senate Commerce subcommittee on a recent FTC study examining the accuracy of consumer credit reports, as well as the agency’s efforts to improve credit report accuracy through enforcement and education. On behalf of the agency, Maneesha Mithal, Associate Director, Division of Privacy and Identity Protection, told the […]
FTC Says Mobile Cramming Webcast Viewers Can Submit Questions Online
The Federal Trade Commission will host a one-day workshop on mobile cramming on May 8, 2013, in Washington, D.C., and invites participants watching the webcast to submit questions to moderators online. Commissioner Maureen Ohlhausen will provide welcome remarks at Mobile Cramming: An FTC Roundtable. Panelists will discuss understanding third-party billing and mobile cramming, and current […]
FTC Votes Unanimously to Retain July 1 Date for Implementation of the Updated Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule
The Federal Trade Commission voted unanimously to retain the July 1, 2013 date for implementation of the updated Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule. In a letter to industry organizations that had requested that the Commission reconsider the July 1 date, the Commission noted that implementation of the updated rule marks the culmination of a three-year […]
FTC Invites Public to Submit Questions Online During Senior ID Theft Workshop
The Federal Trade Commission will host a one-day workshop on senior identity theft on May 7, 2013, in Washington, D.C., and invites participants watching the webcast to submit questions to panelists online. FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez will provide opening remarks at the workshop. Tax and government benefits identity theft, medical identity theft, and identity theft […]
FTC Settlement Bars Seller of Prepaid Calling Cards from Deceptive Marketing
A company that allegedly misrepresented the minutes provided by its pre-paid calling cards will be barred from making such deceptive claims under a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission. According to the FTC’s complaint, filed in May 2012, DR Phone Communications markets and sells prepaid calling cards. The cards are often sold in grocery and […]
FTC Approves Final Order Settling Charges Against Cbr Systems, Inc.
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that Cbr Systems, Inc. failed to protect the security of customers’ personal information and that its inadequate security practices led to a breach that exposed the Social Security numbers and debit and credit card information of nearly 300,000 consumers. […]
FTC Approves Final Order Settling Allegationsof Anticompetitive Conduct by Eight Puerto Rico Nephrologists
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that eight independent nephrologists in Puerto Rico illegally collectively bargained with insurers and refused to treat health plan patients when their price demands were rebuffed. In agreeing to settle the FTC’s charges, the doctors, who practice independently in Puerto […]
FTC Approves Houghton International Order Modification Releasing AEA Investors as a Party to the Order
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved an application by AEA Investors 2006 Fund L.P. to modify a 2010 final order related to the 2008 acquisition of D.A. Stuart GmbH by Houghton International Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of HHI Holding Corporation. The FTC charged that the 2008 transaction was anticompetitive […]