FTC Halts Bogus Envelope-Stuffing Scam

At the Federal Trade Commission’s request, a federal court has halted a nationwide work-at-home scam that took more than $7 million from tens of thousands of consumers. The defendants allegedly lured consumers with false claims that they could earn up to $5,000 or more in weekly income by stuffing and mailing “special advertising letters” from […]

FTC Obtains Contempt Ruling Against ‘Yellow Pages’ Scam

At the Federal Trade Commission’s request, a federal court has banned Robert Ray Law and his company, CPU Service Incorporated (CPU) from sending unsolicited direct mail to advertise or promote goods or services, imposed a judgment of almost $400,000, and required them to immediately pay $45,000. In July 2014, the FTC charged Law and Your […]

FTC Seeks Public Input in Review of Holder Rule

As part of the Federal Trade Commission’s systematic review of all current FTC rules and guides, the FTC is seeking public comment on the efficiency, costs, benefits, and impact of the Holder Rule, which protects the rights of consumers who make a purchase using credit obtained through a merchant. The Rule, formally called the “Trade […]

FTC Staff Advises New York State Public Service Commission On Improving Proposal to Transform Electric Distribution System

The Federal Trade Commission staff submitted a comment in the New York State Public Service Commission’s (NY PSC’s) Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) proceeding regarding that agency’s “Staff White Paper on Ratemaking and Utility Business Models” (Revenues White Paper). The REV proceeding seeks, among other things, to restructure New York State’s electricity distribution system in […]

FTC Requires NXP Semiconductors N.V. to Divest RF Power Amplifier Assets as a Condition of Acquiring Freescale Semiconductor Ltd.

NXP Semiconductors N.V. has agreed to sell its RF power amplifier assets in order to settle FTC charges that its proposed $11.8 billion acquisition of Freescale Semiconductor Ltd. is anticompetitive. According to the complaint, without a divestiture, it is likely that the proposed merger would substantially lessen competition in the worldwide market for RF power […]

FTC To Host Data Security Conference in Seattle Feb. 9

The Federal Trade Commission will host a one-day conference in Seattle on Feb. 9, 2016, on how companies can build security into their products and services. The event will have a particular focus on guidance for startups and early stage businesses about how to make security considerations a part of a company’s culture from the […]

Ohio Auto Dealers Settle FTC Charges That They Deceived Consumers By Failing to Disclose Key Lease Terms

Two Ohio auto dealers have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they deceived consumers with advertisements that touted low monthly car lease payments but failed to disclose key terms of the offers. The FTC’s administrative complaint alleged that Progressive Chevrolet Company and Progressive Motors Inc., of Masillon, Ohio, failed to properly disclose terms […]

Ginger Jin Named Director of FTC’s Bureau of Economics; Alison Oldale Named BE Deputy Director for Antitrust

Federal Trade Commission Chairwoman Edith Ramirez has appointed Professor Ginger Zhe Jin as Director of its Bureau of Economics, succeeding Francine Lafontaine, who is returning to the University of Michigan. She has also named Alison Oldale as the Bureau’s Deputy Director for Antitrust. “We are very pleased that Ginger Zhe Jin will join the Federal […]

Cybersecurity Awareness Resources

FIL-55-2015 November 23, 2015 Cybersecurity Awareness Resources Printable Format: FIL-55-2015 – PDF (PDF Help) Summary: As part of the FDIC’s Community Banking Initiative, the agency is adding to its cybersecurity awareness resources for financial institutions. These include a Cybersecurity Awareness video and three new vignettes for the Cyber Challenge, which consists of exercises that are […]

FTC Sends Refund Checks Totaling More Than $250,000 To Consumers Who Bought Lipidryl Weight Loss Supplement

The Federal Trade Commission is mailing 1,596 refund checks totaling $250,485 to consumers nationwide who bought the dietary supplement Lipidryl for purported weight loss. These are legitimate refund checks, and must be cashed within 60 days of the date they are issued, or will become void. The refunds stem from a December 2014 settlement with […]