Two new defendants have been named in a Federal Trade Commission case against a phony debt relief and credit repair scheme that allegedly deceived consumers about non-existent federal programs to pay off their bills and fix poor credit. The case was originally brought in August 2014 against the unnamed operators of the scam, which operated […]
Monthly Archives: February 2015
Statement by FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez on Appellate Ruling in the St. Luke’s Hospital Matter
Federal Trade Commission Chairwoman Edith Ramirez issued the following statement in response to a ruling today by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, regarding the FTC’s case challenging Idaho-based St. Luke’s Health System’s acquisition of Saltzer Medical Group: “Today’s decision by the Ninth Circuit is a win for consumers and healthcare competition […]
FTC Continues to Protect Consumers from Abusive, Fraudulent Debt Collectors
Over the past year, the Federal Trade Commission has continued its vigorous work on behalf of U.S. consumers suffering from unlawful debt collection practices, including bringing law enforcement actions against abusive and fraudulent operations, conducting education and public outreach initiatives, and implementing research and policy programs. Under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection […]
FTC Approves Final Orders In PaymentsMD Privacy Case
After a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved final orders resolving complaints that PaymentsMD, LLC and its former CEO, Michael C. Hughes, violated consumers’ privacy by collecting personal medical information without their consent. The settlements were first announced in December, 2014. In its complaints, the FTC alleged that Payments MD and Hughes […]
Administrative Law Judge Issues Initial Decision in the ECM Biofilms, Inc. Case
In an Initial Decision announced today, the Federal Trade Commission’s Chief Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), D. Michael Chappell, ruled that plastics additive manufacturer ECM Biofilms, Inc. violated the FTC Act by deceptively claiming, and providing others with the means to claim, that plastics treated with ECM additives (ECM Plastics) would completely biodegrade in a landfill […]
Mortgage Relief Pitchmen Settle FTC Charges That They Deceived Consumers
A group of Utah-based defendants claiming to be legal experts in loan modifications have settled Federal Trade Commission charges that they broke the law by conning consumers into paying hefty fees for worthless mortgage relief services. The five proposed orders settling the FTC’s charges ban the defendants, led by Philip J. Danielson and his company, […]
FTC Staff Warns Marketers and Sellers of Dog Waste Bags That Their Biodegradable and Compostable Claims May Be Deceptive
Staff of the Federal Trade Commission has sent letters warning 20 manufacturers and marketers of dog waste bags that their “biodegradable,” “compostable,” and other environmental claims may be deceptive. The letters, which the staff sent after examining the companies’ environmental, or “green,” claims on their websites and in other media, provide examples of potentially deceptive […]
Two Defendants in Cross-Border Telemarketing Scheme Settle FTC Charges
Two defendants who participated in an alleged multi-million dollar telemarketing fraud that targeted U.S. seniors and withdrew money from their accounts without authorization have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges. The settlement orders bar them from using remotely created checks drawn on consumers’ bank accounts, require them to obtain consumers’ consent before debiting their […]
FTC Submits Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Request, Performance Plan, and Fiscal Year 2014 Performance Report to Congress
The Federal Trade Commission has submitted to Congress its Fiscal Year 2016 budget request, which includes the FY 2016 Budget Overview Statement, Performance Plan for FY 2015 and FY 2016, and Performance Report for FY 2014, as required under the Government Performance and Results and Modernization Act of 2010. The FTC’s formal budget request was […]
Guidance on Private Student Loans with Graduated Repayment Terms at Loan Origination
FIL-6-2015 February 2, 2015 Guidance on Private Student Loans with Graduated Repayment Terms at Loan Origination Printable Format: FIL-6-2015 – PDF (PDF Help) Summary: The agencies1, in conjunction with the State Liaison Committee (SLC), have issued Guidance on Private Student Loans with Graduated Repayment Terms at Loan Origination (Student Loan Guidance). The Student Loan Guidance […]