FTC Approves Final Orders Related to False Advertising by Sony Computer Entertainment America and Its Ad Agency Deutsch LA for PS Vita Game Console

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved two final orders settling charges that Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC (Sony) and its advertising agency at the time falsely advertised certain capabilities of the company’s PlayStation Vita (PS Vita) handheld gaming console introduced for sale in 2012. According to the FTC’s complaints, announced […]

Phoebe Putney Health System, Inc., Hospital Authority of Albany-Dougherty County, and HCA Inc. Settle FTC Charges that Acquisition of Palmyra Park Hospital Violated U.S. Antitrust Laws

The Federal Trade Commission has entered into a settlement with Phoebe Putney Health System, Inc., the Hospital Authority of Albany-Dougherty County, and HCA Inc. resolving the Commission’s charge that the Hospital Authority’s acquisition of Palmyra Park Hospital, Inc. from HCA Inc. – which created an effective hospital monopoly in the Albany, Georgia area – was […]

FFIEC Joint Statements on Destructive Malware and Compromised Credentials

FIL-13-2015 March 30, 2015 FFIEC Joint Statements on Destructive Malware and Compromised Credentials Printable Format: FIL-13-2015 – PDF (PDF Help) Summary: The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) has issued two joint statements to alert financial institutions to specific risk mitigation techniques related to destructive malware and cyber attacks that compromise credentials. Statement of Applicability […]

FTC Sending Refund Checks Totaling Nearly $940,000 to Consumers Who Lost Money in Fraudulent Business Opportunity Scheme

The Federal Trade Commission is mailing 358 refund checks totaling $939,207.78 to consumers who lost money after paying performance deposits to become business or sales consultants to National Business Consultants, Inc. (NBC) and its owner, Robert Namer. Consumers receiving checks initially will get more than 41 percent of the money they lost in this business […]

At FTC’s Request, Court Shuts Down Credit Repair Scam That Impersonates FTC

At the request of the Federal Trade Commission, a federal court has halted the operations of a company that calls itself “FTC Credit Solutions.” The company allegedly used false affiliation with the Commission to market bogus credit repair services to Spanish-speaking consumers. In a complaint filed with the court, the FTC alleges that defendants deceived […]

FTC Releases Reports on 2012 Cigarette and Smokeless Tobacco Sales and Marketing Expenditures

The number of cigarettes sold to wholesalers and retailers in the United States declined from 273.6 billion in 2011 to 267.7 billion in 2012, according to the most recent Federal Trade Commission Cigarette Report. The amount spent on cigarette advertising and promotion by the largest cigarette companies in the United States rose from $8.37 billion […]

Payment Processors Involved in I Works Scheme Settle FTC Charges

CardFlex Inc., an Independent Sales Organization (ISO), and its principals Andrew Phillips and John Blaugrund, have settled Federal Trade Commission charges that they illegally processed more than $26 million in unauthorized consumer charges on behalf of a company called I Works. The defendants are the last of seven individual and corporate defendants named in the […]

FTC, Multiple Law Enforcement Partners Announce Crackdown on Deception, Fraud in Auto Sales, Financing and Leasing

The Federal Trade Commission and 32 law enforcement partners today announced the results of Operation Ruse Control, a nationwide and cross-border crackdown to protect consumers when purchasing or leasing a car, encompassing 252 enforcement actions. The six new FTC cases include more than $2.6 million in monetary judgments. There were 187 enforcement actions in the […]

Home Relief Foundation Defendants Barred from Selling Debt Relief Services

Austin, Texas-based Home Relief Foundation, Inc. and its two owners have settled Federal Trade Commission charges that they illegally charged up-front fees for services they falsely promised would reduce consumers’ mortgage interest rates or monthly payments. The settlement order prohibits the defendants from selling debt relief products or services and from misrepresenting any material facts […]

FTC Rules Jerk, LLC and John Fanning Deceived Consumers, Violated FTC Act

The Federal Trade Commission has granted summary decision against the operators of Jerk.com, a website that billed itself as “the anti-social network,” for deceiving users about the source of content on the website. The Commission found that the operators – Jerk, LLC (“Jerk”) and John Fanning – misled consumers by claiming that content on the […]