The Federal Trade Commission is mailing 134 refund checks to consumers who lost money to a phony debt relief services scam that claimed it would dramatically reduce consumers’ credit card interest rates. The scam operated under several names, including “AFL Financial Services,” and contacted consumers through robocalls that purported to be from “Card Services.” More […]
Monthly Archives: September 2013
FTC Returns More Than $5.4 Million to Victims of Massive Cramming Scam
The Federal Trade Commission is mailing 139,357 checks totaling more than $5.4 million to consumers and businesses who were victimized by a massive fraudulent operation that placed unwanted charges on their telephone bills. In 2010, the FTC stopped the scam, which was led by an internet services company known as Inc21. The company enlisted a […]
FTC Sends Refunds to Consumers Harmed by “Credit Card” Scam
The Federal Trade Commission is mailing 38,631 refund checks to consumers who lost money to a catalog credit card operation that deceptively marketed its card, failed to honor its refund policy, and charged up-front fees for a guaranteed line of credit. The Low Pay, Inc. scam sent mailers to consumers with credit problems, claiming they […]
FTC Warns of Utility Bill Scam That Asks for Payment via GreenDot, Paypal or Prepaid Gift Card
Imagine receiving a phone call from your utility company saying they’re about to cut off your electricity. The caller ID looks like it might be a legitimate phone number, but you know you’ve paid your bill. The caller says, “I can stop this, but only if you pay me.” It’s a scam, but there’s a […]
FTC Seeks to Examine Patent Assertion Entities and Their Impact on Innovation, Competition
The Federal Trade Commission voted to seek public comments on a proposal to gather information from approximately 25 companies that are in the business of buying and asserting patents, known as Patent Assertion Entities (“PAEs”). The FTC intends to use this information to examine how PAEs do business and develop a better understanding of how […]
FTC Settles Charges That Actavis’s Proposed $8.5 Billion Acquisition of Warner Chilcott Would be Anticompetitive
International drug manufacturer Actavis, Inc. has agreed to sell all rights and assets to four generic pharmaceuticals – three oral contraceptives and an osteoporosis treatment – to settle FTC charges that its proposed $8.5 billion acquisition of drug-maker Warner Chilcott plc would be anticompetitive. As part of the proposed settlement, Actavis is seeking FTC approval […]
FTC Seeks Public Comment on Polypore International’s Application to Sell Microporous to Seven Mile Capital Partners; Sale Would Unwind Illegal 2008 Acquisition
The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comment on an application by Polypore International, Inc. for approval to divest all stock and assets related to Microporous, which it acquired in February 2008, to Seven Mile Capital Partners (Seven Mile). The divestiture is required by a Commission final decision and order that found the acquisition anticompetitive […]
FTC Files Amicus Brief Supporting Class Action Suit that Challenges Payday Lender’s Arbitration Practices
The Federal Trade Commission filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit supporting a class action lawsuit brought by consumers who are challenging a payday lender’s practice of requiring them to submit to arbitration at a Native American reservation in South Dakota. The FTC has an interest in the […]
FTC Halts Elusive Business Opportunity Scheme
At the Federal Trade Commission’s request, a federal court has halted an elusive business opportunity scheme that allegedly conned more than $6 million from American and Canadian consumers. The FTC has alleged that the defendants falsely promised consumers that they could make money by referring merchants in their area to the defendants’ non-existent money-lending service. […]
FTC Puts Conditions on Mylan’s Proposed Acquisition of Agila from Strides
The Federal Trade Commission will require Mylan, Inc., and Agila Specialties Global Pte. Ltd and Agila Specialties Pvt. Ltd. (collectively, Agila) to divest 11 generic injectable drugs as a condition of allowing Mylan’s proposed acquisition of Agila from Strides Arcolab Ltd. (Strides). According to the complaint, in each of these 11 markets, Mylan and Agila […]