FTC Approves Franchise Services of North America’s Application to Sell Certain Advantage Rent a Car Locations to Hertz and Avis Budget Group

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved an application submitted by Franchise Services of North America, Inc. (FSNA) regarding the sale of 22 former Advantage Rent A Car locations, to Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. (Hertz) and Avis Budget Group (Avis).  FSNA acquired the locations under a 2012 FTC settlement to resolve […]

Interagency Statement on Increased Maximum Flood Insurance Coverage for “Other Residential Buildings”

FIL-28-2014 May 30, 2014 Interagency Statement on Increased Maximum Flood Insurance Coverage for “Other Residential Buildings” Printable Format: FIL-28-2014 – PDF (PDF Help) Summary: The FDIC, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the National Credit Union Administration, and the Farm Credit Administration (collectively, the […]

Auto Lender Will Pay $5.5 Million to Settle FTC Charges It Harassed Consumers, Collected Amounts They Did Not Owe

A national subprime auto lender will pay more than $5.5 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that the company used illegal tactics to service and collect consumers’ loans, including collecting money consumers did not owe, harassing consumers and third parties, and disclosing debts to friends, family, and employers. Consumer Portfolio Services, Inc. (CPS), headquartered […]

FTC Wins Default and Contempt Judgments Against Text Spammer Phil Flora

Phil Flora, the operator of a text message spamming operation that sent more than 29 million text messages to consumers promising “free” $1,000 Walmart and Best Buy gift cards, has been ordered to pay $148,309 for his involvement in the scam.  Flora, who resides in Orange County, California, has also been found in contempt for […]

FTC Requests Public Comments on Amended Applications by Fidelity National Financial Inc. for Approval to Divest Oregon Title Plant Assets

The Federal Trade Commission is now accepting public comments on two amended applications by Fidelity National Financial Inc. [Amerititle | Old Republic] to sell Oregon real estate title plant assets, as required by the FTC order settling charges that Fidelity’s acquisition of Lender Processing Services, Inc. (LPS) was likely to harm competition. On April 24, […]

FTC Extends Deadline for Comments on Proposed Changes to Fuel Rating Rule

In response to requests from stakeholders, the Federal Trade Commission has extended the deadline for the public to submit comments on proposed changes to its Fuel Rating Rule. The deadline to submit comments will be extended from June 2, 2014, until July 2, 2014. In March 2014, the FTC proposed changes to the “Rule for […]

Company Settles FTC Charges that Head Lice Prevention Claims Were Deceptive

The Federal Trade Commission has charged personal care company Lornamead, Inc. with deceiving consumers with exaggerated claims that its “Lice Shield” shampoo, stick, and spray products  will prevent or reduce the risk of getting head lice. Under an agreed-upon settlement, Lornamead will pay $500,000, and is prohibited from making further deceptive lice-prevention claims. Unlike traditional […]

FTC Approves Final Amendments to Wool Products Labeling Rules

The Federal Trade Commission has approved final changes to its Wool Products Labeling Rules (Wool Rules) that clarify and update the Rules, provide more flexibility to industry, and align several provisions with recent amendments to the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act Rules (Textile Rules). The Wool Rules require that labels on wool products disclose the […]

FTC Mails Refund Checks Totaling Nearly $3 Million to Consumers Victimized by Alleged Mortgage Relief Scam

The Federal Trade Commission, through an administrator, is mailing checks totaling nearly $3 million to over 6,300 consumers who were victims of a mortgage relief scheme. Using names such as Prime Legal Plans and Reaching U Network, the defendants allegedly made false promises that they could help consumers save their homes from foreclosure or lower […]

FTC Recommends Congress Require the Data Broker Industry to be More Transparent and Give Consumers Greater Control Over Their Personal Information

In a report issued today on the data broker industry, the Federal Trade Commission finds that data brokers operate with a fundamental lack of transparency. The Commission recommends that Congress consider enacting legislation to make data broker practices more visible to consumers and to give consumers greater control over the immense amounts of personal information […]