FTC Returns $18 Million to Victims of Home-Based Business Coaching Scheme

The Federal Trade Commission is mailing more than 20,000 checks totaling more than $18 million to people who lost money to The Tax Club, a scheme that targeted people who were trying to start home-based businesses. According to a complaint brought by the FTC and the New York and Florida Attorneys General, the defendants falsely […]

FTC Seeks Comment on Proposed Changes to its FOIA Rules

The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comment on proposed amendments to its fee schedule for Freedom of Information Act requests. The proposed changes are intended to update the agency’s fee schedule and implement provisions of the FOIA Improvement Act of 2016. In addition, the Commission is publishing final regulations making other administrative rule changes […]

CarMax and Two Other Dealers Settle FTC Charges That They Touted Inspections While Failing to Disclose Some of the Cars Were Subject to Unrepaired Safety Recalls

CarMax Inc. and two other major used auto retailers have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they touted how rigorously they inspect their used cars, yet failed to adequately disclose that some of the cars were subject to unrepaired safety recalls. The proposed consent orders will prohibit them from making unqualified inspection or […]

DeVry University Agrees to $100 Million Settlement with FTC

DeVry University and its parent company have agreed to a $100 million settlement of a Federal Trade Commission lawsuit alleging that they misled prospective students with ads that touted high employment success rates and income levels upon graduation. The FTC settlement secures significant financial redress for tens of thousands of students harmed by DeVry’s conduct. […]

Vemma Agrees to Ban on Pyramid Scheme Practices to Settle FTC Charges

Under a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission, Arizona-based Vemma Nutrition Company will end the business practices that the FTC alleged created a pyramid scheme. The multi-level marketing (MLM) company, which sells health and wellness drinks through a network of distributors called “affiliates,” will be prohibited under a federal court order from paying an affiliate […]

Operators of AshleyMadison.com Settle FTC, State Charges Resulting From 2015 Data Breach that Exposed 36 Million Users’ Profile Information

Note: A conference call for media with FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez, Vermont Attorney General William H. Sorrell, and Commissioner Daniel Therrien of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada will occur as follows: Their remarks will be followed by an opportunity for media questions on this announcement. Date: December 14, 2016Time: 1:00 p.m. ETCall-in:1-800-288-8961, […]

FTC Approves Final Order Settling Charges that Mars Petcare Made False Health Claims for Its Eukanuba Brand Dog Food

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final consent order with Mars Petcare U.S. settling charges that the company falsely advertised specific health benefits of its Eukanuba brand dog food. According to the FTC’s complaint, filed in August 2016, the company claimed in ads, but could not prove, that a […]

Marketers of Blood-Pressure App Settle FTC Charges Regarding Accuracy of App Readings

The marketers of a mobile app designed to measure blood pressure have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they deceived consumers with claims that their Instant Blood Pressure (IBP) app was as accurate as a traditional blood pressure cuff. In addition, the Commission alleged that the owner provided a positive review of the […]

FTC Rules California Naturel, Inc. Misled Consumers, Violated the FTC Act

The Federal Trade Commission has granted summary decision against California Naturel, Inc., for falsely advertising its sunscreen product as “all natural” in violation of Sections 5 and 12 of the FTC Act. In its opinion, written by Chairwoman Edith Ramirez, the Commission states that the company promotes its “all natural” sunscreen on its website as […]

FTC Issues FY 2016 National Do Not Call Registry Data Book

The Federal Trade Commission today issued the National Do Not Call Registry Data Book for Fiscal Year 2016. Consumers can use the National Do Not Call Registry to choose not to receive telemarketing calls. Now in its eighth year of publication, the Data Book contains a wealth of information about the Registry for FY 2016 […]