FTC Seeks Public Comment on Its Telemarketing Sales Rule

As part of its ongoing review of the rules and regulations it enforces, the Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comment on its Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR). As detailed in the Federal Register notice announcing the rule review, the TSR has been updated regularly since 2000, leading to amendments in 2003 to create the national […]

FTC Stops Deceptive Office Supply Scam That Targeted Small Businesses and Nonprofits

At the Federal Trade Commission’s request, a federal court has temporarily halted and frozen the assets of an operation that bilked nonprofits, businesses, and municipalities out of millions of dollars by deceptively sending them overpriced light bulbs and cleaning supplies that they never ordered. The FTC seeks to permanently stop the illegal practices and make […]

FTC Obtains $26.9 Million Judgment Against Work-at-Home Scammer Who Tried to Hide His Assets from 2010 Court Judgment

At the Federal Trade Commission’s request, a federal court has imposed a $26.9 million judgment against the operator of a phony work-at home scheme who lied about his financial assets in an effort to hide them from the FTC when he agreed to settle with the agency in 2010. Jonathan Eborn was one of the […]

FTC and DOJ Extend Public Comment Period for Workshop on Conditional Pricing Practices through September 22, 2014

The Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have extended the deadline for submitting comments on their recent Conditional Pricing Practices Workshop to September 22, 2014. The workshop, held June 23, 2014, explored the economics and legal policy implications of certain pricing practices, such as loyalty and bundled pricing.  Interested parties may submit […]

FTC Testifies Before Congress on Mobile Cramming Issues

In testimony before Congress today, the Federal Trade Commission provided an update on issues related to the placement of unauthorized charges on consumers’ mobile phone bills, a practice known as mobile cramming. Testifying on behalf of the Commission before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, FTC Commissioner Terrell McSweeny told lawmakers that the […]

At FTC’s Request, Court Shuts Down Mobile Cramming Operation That Stuck Consumers with More Than $100 Million in Unauthorized Charges

At the request of the Federal Trade Commission, a federal court has temporarily halted a mobile phone cramming scheme that deceptively piled more than $100 million in charges on consumers’ mobile phone bills without their permission. In its complaint, the FTC seeks permanently to shut down the operation and recover money lost by consumers. The […]

FTC Approves Final Order in ‘Green Marketing’ Case Against American Plastic Lumber

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that American Plastic Lumber, Inc. (APL), a company that markets plastic lumber and related products, misled consumers about the environmental attributes of its products. The FTC’s July 2014 complaint states that from at least 2011 through 2013, APL’s ads […]

FTC Recommends Mobile Industry Changes to Combat Mobile Cramming

Note: A conference call for media with FTC Consumer Protection Director Jessica Rich will occur as follows: Date: July 28, 2014Time: 1:30 p.m. ETCall-in: 800-230-1951; confirmation number 333099 Call-in lines, which are for media only, will open 15 minutes prior to the start of the call. Jessica Rich and FTC staff will be available to […]

FDIC Clarifying Supervisory Approach to Institutions Establishing Account Relationships with Third-Party Payment Processors

FIL-41-2014 July 28, 2014 FDIC Clarifying Supervisory Approach to Institutions Establishing Account Relationships with Third-Party Payment Processors Printable Format: FIL-41-2014 – PDF (PDF Help) Summary: The FDIC is clarifying its supervisory approach to institutions establishing account relationships with third-party payment processors (TPPPs). As part of its regular safety and soundness examination activities, the FDIC reviews […]

FDIC Clarifying Supervisory Approach to Institutions Establishing Account Relationships with Third-Party Payment Processors

FIL-41-2014 July 28, 2014 FDIC Clarifying Supervisory Approach to Institutions Establishing Account Relationships with Third-Party Payment Processors Printable Format: FIL-41-2014 – PDF (PDF Help) Summary: The FDIC is clarifying its supervisory approach to institutions establishing account relationships with third-party payment processors (TPPPs). As part of its regular safety and soundness examination activities, the FDIC reviews […]