FTC Requires Albertsons and Safeway to Sell 168 Stores as a Condition of Merger

Supermarket operators Albertsons and Safeway Inc. have agreed to sell 168 supermarkets to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that their proposed $9.2 billion merger would likely be anticompetitive in 130 local markets in Arizona, California, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. According to the FTC’s complaint, Albertsons and Safeway compete vigorously on the bases […]

In Comment to Federal Communications Commission, FTC Says No Legal Barriers or Policy Considerations Stop Common Carriers from Providing Call-Blocking Services to Consumers

In a comment submitted to the Federal Communications Commission, the directors of the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, Bureau of Economics, and Office of Policy Planning write that, in their view, no legal barriers or policy considerations prevent common carriers from offering consumers technology that allows them to block unwanted calls. The comment, […]

Tax ID Theft Tops FTC Complaints in 2014; IRS Imposter Complaints Up More Than 2,300 Percent

Tax-related identity theft was the most common form of identity theft reported to the Federal Trade Commission in 2014, while the number of complaints from consumers about criminals impersonating IRS officials was nearly 24 times more than in 2013, according to FTC statistics released today. The FTC, along with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Treasury […]

Marketer Who Promoted a Green Coffee Bean Weight-Loss Supplement Agrees to Settle FTC Charges

Lindsey Duncan and the companies he controlled have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they deceptively touted the supposed weight-loss benefits of green coffee bean extract through a campaign that included appearances on The Dr. Oz Show, The View, and other television programs. Under the FTC settlement, the defendants are barred from making […]

FTC, DOJ to Host Second Public Workshop on Examining U.S. Health Care Competition

The Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division will jointly host the second workshop in the series, Examining Health Care Competition, on February 24-25, 2015, in the Constitution Center Auditorium located at 400 7th Street, SW, Washington, DC, 20024. The workshop will study recent developments related to health care provider organization […]

FTC Extends Comment Period on Additional Proposed Changes to Used Car Rule

The Federal Trade Commission is extending the public comment period on proposed changes to its Used Car Rule from January 30, 2015, to March 17, 2015.  In November 2014, the FTC sought public comments on the proposed changes. The Commission is extending the time for submitting public comments in response to a request from the […]

FTC Seeks Comment on Fair Packaging and Labeling Act Rules

The Federal Trade Commission is proposing amendments to its rules under the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA). Enacted in 1967, the FPLA requires that certain products carry labels identifying the contents, source, item quantity, and other information to help consumers compare products. In March 2014, the FTC sought public comment on the FPLA rules […]

FTC Approves Final Order Preserving Future Competition in the Market for Drug-coated Balloon Catheters Used to Treat Peripheral Artery Disease

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that global medical technology company Medtronic, Inc.’s $42.9 billion acquisition of Covidien plc would likely be anticompetitive. Under the order, first announced in November 2014, the companies agreed to sell Covidien’s drug-coated balloon catheter business to a Colorado-based medical […]

Court Grants Partial Summary Judgment in FTC Case Against Dish Network, Finding the Company Liable for Tens of Millions of Telemarketing Violations

The U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois has found Dish Network liable for tens of millions of calls that violated the Federal Trade Commission’s Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR), including Do Not Call, entity-specific, and abandoned-call violations. The opinion, which was issued on December 12, 2014, represents a partial summary judgment win in […]

FTC Sues to Stop Texas Debt Collector from Coercing Consumers by Falsely Claiming It Will Bring Legal Action Against Them, Garnish Their Wages

The Federal Trade Commission has issued a complaint against a Texas-based debt collection operation and its current and former principals for illegally threatening consumers with false claims that unless they pay a debt, they will face legal action or wage garnishment. The complaint was filed in federal court on the agency’s behalf by the Department […]