Office Supply Operators Banned from Telemarketing to Settle FTC Charges

The operators of an office supply business accused of bilking millions of dollars from nonprofit organizations and small businesses will be banned from telemarketing under a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission. The settlement resolves FTC charges filed in December 2015 that the defendants deceived small business consumers into buying office supply products at higher […]

FTC Approves Final Order Preserving Competition in 3 Natural Gas Production Areas off the Coast of Louisiana

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that the proposed merger of energy infrastructure companies Enbridge Inc. and Spectra Energy Corp likely would harm competition in the market for pipeline transportation of natural gas in three production areas off the coast of Louisiana. First announced in […]

FTC Settlement Halts Allegedly Abusive Practices by Company Collecting Debts for More Than 500 Municipalities

An operation that collects debts owed to municipalities has agreed to stop engaging in allegedly illegal collection tactics under a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission. According to the FTC, American Municipal Services Corporation and its owners, Lawrence Bergman and Gregory Pitchford, collect court fines, parking tickets, and debts for utility bills and other services […]

FTC and State of Nebraska Co-Host Twitter Chat Today on Economic Liberty

The Federal Trade Commission will co-host a Twitter chat with the office of Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts at 3 p.m. ET today on the FTC’s new Economic Liberty Task Force, the first major policy initiative of Acting FTC Chairman Maureen K. Ohlhausen. The chat will address regulatory hurdles to job growth, including the growth of […]

After Two Chicago-area Hospital Systems Abandon Proposed Merger, FTC Dismisses Case from Administrative Trial Process

Following the decision earlier this month by Advocate Health Care Network and NorthShore University HealthSystem to abandon their proposed merger, the Federal Trade Commission has dismissed its case challenging the transaction before the Commission’s administrative trial process. FTC Acting Chairman Maureen K. Ohlhausen issued the following statement: “Historically, the Advocate and NorthShore hospital systems competed […]

FTC Testifies Before Senate on Efforts to Combat Fraud

In testimony before Congress today, the Federal Trade Commission described its efforts to fight fraud, noting that during the past year the agency has obtained judgments totaling more than $11.9 billion to consumers harmed by deceptive and unfair business practices. Testifying before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation’s Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product […]

FTC, NHTSA to Conduct Workshop on June 28 on Privacy, Security Issues Related to Connected, Automated Vehicles

The Federal Trade Commission and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will hold a workshop on June 28, 2017 in Washington, D.C., to examine the consumer privacy and security issues posed by automated and connected motor vehicles. The workshop will feature opening remarks by Acting FTC Chairman Maureen K. Ohlhausen and will bring together […]

FTC & NASCO Conference on March 21 Explores Consumer Protection Issues and Charitable Solicitations

The Federal Trade Commission and the National Association of State Charities Officials will host a conference tomorrow in Washington, DC, to examine how we can best protect donors from fraud and deception in this changing landscape. The event is free and open to the public. It will be available via live webcast and live tweeted […]

FTC Settlement Bars Spam Email Marketing, Baseless Weight-Loss Claims by Diet-Pill Operation

Three Florida-based affiliate marketers charged with using illegal spam e-mail, false weight-loss claims, and phony celebrity endorsements to market bogus weight-loss products will pay $500,000 to settle Federal Trade Commission charges. The court order resolving the FTC’s allegations also prohibits the defendants from the illegal advertising and marketing tactics alleged in the complaint. According to […]

Membership Reward Service Upromise Penalized for Violating FTC Order

A membership reward service called Upromise, aimed at consumers trying to save for college, will pay a $500,000 civil penalty to settle allegations that it violated the terms of a Federal Trade Commission order requiring the company to make disclosures about its data collection and use and to obtain third-party assessments of its data collection […]