FTC Requests Public Comments on SCI’s Application to Approve Sale of Funeral Home in Auburn, 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 […]

Blue Rhino, AmeriGas Settle FTC Charges of Restraining Competition

The two leading suppliers of propane exchange tanks, Blue Rhino and AmeriGas Cylinder Exchange, have agreed to settle FTC charges that the companies illegally agreed not to deviate from their plans to reduce the amount of propane in tanks sold to Walmart, a key customer. Under the proposed settlements, each company is barred from agreeing […]

FTC Requires Divestiture as a Condition of Surgery Center Holdings’ Acquisition of Competitor Symbion

The Federal Trade Commission will require Surgery Center Holdings, Inc., known as Surgery Partners, and Symbion Holdings Corporation to divest Symbion’s ownership interest in an ambulatory surgery center in Orange City, Florida, as part of a settlement resolving charges that Surgery Partners’ $792 million purchase of Symbion would be anticompetitive. The action is part of […]

FTC Requests Public Comments on Graco’s Application for Approval to Divest Liquid Finishing Business Assets to Carlisle Companies

The Federal Trade Commission is currently accepting public comments on an application by Graco Inc. to divest certain liquid finishing businesses and related assets to Carlisle Companies Inc.  Under the terms of the Commission’s October 2014 modified final order, Graco is required to divest these assets to settle charges that its acquisition of the liquid […]

FTC Charges Gerber with Falsely Advertising Its Good Start Gentle Formula Protects Infants from Developing Allergies

The Federal Trade Commission has charged Gerber Products Co., also doing business as Nestlé Nutrition, with deceptively advertising that feeding its Good Start Gentle formula to infants with a family history of allergies prevents or reduces the risk that they will develop allergies. The agency also alleges that Gerber has falsely advertised Good Start Gentle’s […]

Online Dating Service Agrees to Stop Deceptive Use of Fake Profiles

Note: Steve Baker, Director of the FTC’s Midwest Region Office, will take reporters’ questions by phone: Date: October 29, 2014Time: 2 p.m. ETCall-in: (800) 230-1951, confirmation number 341247Call-in lines, for news media only, will open at 1:45 p.m. In its first law enforcement action against an online dating service, the Federal Trade Commission has reached […]

FTC Says AT&T Has Misled Millions of Consumers with ‘Unlimited’ Data Promises

Note: A conference call for media with FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez will occur as follows: Date: October 28, 2014Time: 2:00 p.m. ET Call-in lines, which are for media only, will open 15 minutes prior to the start of the call. Chairwoman Ramirez and FTC staff will be available to take questions from the media about […]

Marketers Agree to Settle FTC Charges They Deceived Small Businesses Into Buying Credit/Debit Card Processing Services

A company that sold credit and debit card payment processing services to small businesses has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it used deception and unsubstantiated claims when signing businesses up for its services and processing equipment. The defendants also agreed to settle similar charges the Washington Attorney General’s Office filed in state […]

FTC Approves Final Orders Banning Marketer Behind ‘Fat Burner’ Diet Pills From Making or Selling Weight-Loss Products

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved two final orders settling charges that the former CEO and co-founder of an Atlanta-based marketing operation and his company deceived consumers with promises that their Healthe Trim supplements would burn fat, increase metabolism, and suppress appetite. According to the FTC’s complaint, announced last month, […]

FTC Provides Comment to NHTSA on Privacy and Vehicle-To-Vehicle Communications

The Federal Trade Commission filed a comment on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s advance notice of proposed rulemaking related to vehicle-to-vehicle communications. As the lead federal agency charged with protecting consumer privacy, the FTC in its comment commends NHTSA for taking privacy and security concerns into account in its rulemaking.  In its comment, the […]