FTC Approves Final Order Barring Anticompetitive Conduct among Barcode Resellers

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved final orders settling charges that two Internet resellers of UPC barcodes, which are used by retailers to scan prices and maintain inventories, invited competitors to join in a collusive scheme to raise the prices they charged for the barcodes. According to the FTC’s complaints, […]

FTC Announces Winners of “Zapping Rachel” Robocall Contest

The Federal Trade Commission today announced the winners of its “Zapping Rachel” robocall contest held at the DEF CON 22 hacking conference in Las Vegas Aug. 7-10. Zapping Rachel marks the latest step in the FTC’s ongoing campaign to combat illegal, pre-recorded telemarketing calls known as robocalls. The contest challenged participants to design a robocall […]

FTC Requests Public Comments on SCI’s Application to Approve Sale of Funeral Home in California

The Federal Trade Commission is currently accepting public comments on an application by Service Corporation International (SCI) to sell a funeral home located in Auburn, California, as required under the FTC’s May 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 […]

FTC Puts Conditions on Proposed Acquisition of Insight Pharmaceuticals by Marketer of Dramamine

Pharmaceutical company Prestige Brands Holdings, Inc., the maker of Dramamine, has agreed to divest assets and marketing rights for the over-the-counter motion sickness drug Bonine to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that Prestige’s proposed acquisition of Insight Pharmaceuticals Corporation would likely be anticompetitive. The FTC’s proposed settlement with Prestige requires the company to divest Bonine […]

FTC Warns Against Government Imposter Scams

Can you spot a government imposter? Even if your phone’s caller ID says “FTC” or “IRS,” or shows Washington, DC’s “202” area code, it could still be a scam. Scammers know how to show fake information on caller ID. The Federal Trade Commission is warning consumers about scammers who pretend they’re with the government to […]

FTC Seeks Public Comment on AgeCheq, Inc., Proposal for Parental Verification Method Under COPPA Rule

The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comment on a proposed verifiable parental consent method that AgeCheq, Inc., has submitted for Commission approval under the agency’s Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule. Under the rule, online sites and services directed at children must obtain permission from a child’s parents before collecting personal information from that child. […]

To Settle FTC Charges, Professional Associations of Property Managers and Vocal Arts Teachers Agree to Eliminate Rules that Restrict Competition among Their Members

The National Association of Residential Property Managers, Inc. (NARPM) and the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Inc. (NATS) have agreed to eliminate provisions in their respective codes of ethics that limit competition among their members, according to the FTC. These settlements are the latest FTC enforcement actions challenging restraints on competition that are incorporated […]

Defendants Settle FTC Charges Related to “Your Baby Can Read” Program

Your Baby Can Read creator, Dr. Robert Titzer, and his company, Infant Learning, Inc. d/b/a The Infant Learning Company have settled charges that they made baseless claims about the effectiveness of the Your Baby Can Read program and misrepresented that scientific studies proved the claims. The program was widely touted in infomercials and on the […]

FTC Asks Court To Shut Down Phony Debt Relief and Credit Repair Scheme

The Federal Trade Commission asked a federal court to shut down a scam that targeted financially distressed Americans by pitching a phony debt relief and credit repair program, and by falsely claiming the program was provided and funded by the federal government and endorsed by President Obama. The FTC’s complaint targets the operators of two […]

Interagency Guidance Regarding Unfair or Deceptive Credit Practices

FIL-44-2014 August 22, 2014 Interagency Guidance Regarding Unfair or Deceptive Credit Practices Printable Format: FIL-44-2014 – PDF (PDF Help) Summary: The FDIC, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) (collectively, […]