The marketers of a cactus-based fruit drink have agreed to provide $3.5 million for consumer refunds in order to settle FTC charges that they deceived consumers with unsupported claims that their drink, Nopalea, would treat a variety of health problems. The settlement with dietary supplement company TriVita, Inc. is part of the FTC’s ongoing efforts […]
Monthly Archives: July 2014
Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to Co-Host Roundtable on Debt Collection and the Latino Community
UPDATED The Federal Trade Commission and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will co-host a roundtable in Long Beach, California, on October 23, 2014, to examine how debt collection issues affect Latino consumers, especially those who have limited English proficiency. The event, titled “Debt Collection & the Latino Community,” will bring together consumer advocates, industry representatives, […]
Phony Payday Loan Brokers Settle FTC Charges
The operators of a Tampa, Florida-based payday loan broker scheme have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they falsely promised to help consumers get loans, but instead used consumers’ personal financial data to take money from their bank accounts without their consent. Claiming to be affiliated with a network of 120 potential payday […]
FTC Seeks Public Comment on Franchise Services of North America’s Application to Sell Two Former Advantage Rental Car Locations to Avis Budget Group and Sixt Rent-A-Car
The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comment on an application submitted by Franchise Services of North America, Inc. (FSNA) to approve the sale of two former Advantage rental car locations in Portland, Oregon and San Jose, California, neither of which is currently operating, to Avis Budget Group and Sixt Rent-A-Car, respectively. FSNA acquired the […]
FTC Alleges Amazon Unlawfully Billed Parents for Millions of Dollars in Children’s Unauthorized In-App Charges
Note: A conference call for media with FTC Consumer Protection Director Jessica Rich was held: Date: July 10, 2014Time: 2 p.m. ET Jessica Rich and FTC staff took questions from the media about the case. Amazon.com, Inc. has billed parents and other account holders for millions of dollars in unauthorized in-app charges incurred by children, […]
FTC Requests Public Comments on SCI’s Application to Approve Sale of Two Georgia Cemeteries to Hunsaker Partners, LLC
The Federal Trade Commission is currently accepting public comments on an application by Service Corporation International (SCI) to sell certain funeral and cemetery assets, as required under the FTC’s April 2014 order settling charges that SCI’s acquisition of Stewart Enterprises, Inc. would likely be anticompetitive. In total, the order requires the combined SCI/Stewart to divest […]
FTC Approves Final Orders Settling Charges That Ski Equipment Manufacturers Marker Völkl GmbH and Tecnica Group S.p.A. Colluded Regarding Endorsers and Employees
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved two final orders settling charges that ski equipment manufacturers Marker Völkl (International) GmbH and Tecnica Group S.p.A. for many years illegally agreed not to compete for one another’s ski endorsers or employees. According to the FTC’s May 2014 complaint, starting in 2004, the two […]
FTC Sends Refunds to Consumers Duped by Mortgage Loan Modification Scam
The Federal Trade Commission is mailing refund checks totaling $499,701.84 to 229 consumers who paid the Lucas Law Center an advance fee for mortgage loan modifications the company falsely claimed it would obtain for them. Affected consumers will receive checks ranging from $427.62 to $8,246.90; the average check is $2,182.10. Those who receive the checks […]
FTC, Partners To Recognize Second Annual Military Consumer Protection Day July 16
The Federal Trade Commission, along with more than 30 public and private sector organizations, are collaborating to provide military consumers with free resources about managing their money, avoiding scams, and dealing with identity theft in celebration of the second annual Military Consumer Protection Day (MCPD) on July 16. MCPD is part of Military Consumer, a […]
FTC Approves Two SCI Applications to Divest Funeral Home and Cemetery Assets in South Carolina and Maryland
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved two applications by Service Corporation International (SCI) to divest certain funeral and cemetery assets, as required under the FTC’s order settling charges that SCI’s acquisition of Stewart Enterprises, Inc. would likely be anticompetitive. In total, the order requires the combined SCI/Stewart to divest 53 […]