FTC Brings First Case Alleging Text Messages Were Used In Illegal Debt Collection Scheme

A Glendale, California-based debt collector will pay $1 million dollars to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that the defendants violated federal law.  This is the first FTC action against a debt collector who used text messaging to attempt to collect debts in an unlawful manner.  The FTC, the nation’s consumer protection agency, alleged that Archie […]

Federal Trade Commission and Justice Department Issue Updated Model Waiver of Confidentiality for International Civil Matters and Accompanying FAQ

The Federal Trade Commission staff and the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division today issued a joint model waiver of confidentiality for individuals and companies to use in merger and civil non-merger matters involving concurrent review by the DOJ or FTC and non-U.S. competition authorities.   A waiver provides the terms on which an individual or […]

FTC Sues to Stop Massive Sweepstakes Scam

At the request of the Federal Trade Commission, a federal court has halted a massive sweepstakes scam that has taken more than $11 million from consumers throughout the United States and dozens of other countries throughout the world, including Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Japan.  The FTC seeks to permanently end the allegedly illegal […]

FTC Sends Refund Checks to Consumers Who Bought Walgreens’ ‘Wal-Born’ Dietary Supplements

An administrator working for the Federal Trade Commission is mailing 7,979 checks averaging $27.42 each to consumers who bought dietary supplements sold by national pharmacy chain Walgreens under its store-brand “Wal-Born” label. In 2010, Walgreens settled FTC charges that it deceptively advertised that the supplements could effectively prevent colds, fight germs, and boost the immune […]

FTC Puts Conditions on Nielsen’s Proposed $1.26 billion Acquisition of Arbitron

[corrected] Media research company Nielsen Holdings N.V. has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that its proposed acquisition of Arbitron Inc. may substantially lessen competition.  Nielsen will divest and license assets and intellectual property needed to develop national syndicated cross-platform audience measurement services. Nielsen and Arbitron are developing national syndicated cross-platform audience measurement services, […]

FTC Seeks Public Comment on Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.’s Application to Divest One of Its Casinos in St. Louis, Missouri, to Tropicana St. Louis LLC

The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comment on an application by Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. for approval to divest its Lumiere Place Casino, two hotels, and all associated assets in St. Louis, Missouri, to Tropicana St. Louis LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tropicana Entertainment, Inc. In a proposed order, the FTC requires Pinnacle to […]

FTC Sends Refunds to Victims of Robocallers Who Pitched Lower Credit Card Interest Rates, But Failed to Deliver

The Federal Trade Commission is mailing refund checks to consumers in America and Canada who were victimized by a fraudulent telemarketing operation that used pre-recorded calls, or robocalls, to pitch phony credit card interest rate reduction programs. The refunds stem from a 2010 settlement with the operators of a robocall telemarketing scheme known as JPM […]

FTC to Host Roundtable on Consumer Protection and the New Healthcare Marketplaces

On Thursday, September 19, the Federal Trade Commission will host a roundtable in Washington, DC, to discuss how to empower and protect consumers from scammers with the advent of healthcare marketplaces opening this fall under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). An agenda for the workshop is available online. WHO: Free and open to the public. […]

Text Spammers Settle FTC Charges They Illegally Sent Consumers Bogus Offers for “Free” Gift Cards

An affiliate marketing company and its two principals have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges for allegedly sending out more than 42.5 million unwanted and deceptive text messages to consumers. The case is part of the FTC’s continuing crackdown on spam text messages and the settlement prohibits the defendants from sending unwanted texts to […]

If You’re Helping Colorado Flood Victims, Make Sure Your Donations Count

In the wake of the flooding in Colorado, the Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, urges people to be wary of charity scams. If you’re looking for a way to give, do some research to ensure that your donation will go to a reputable organization.  Urgent appeals that you get in person, by […]