Comptroller Discusses the Future of Finance and Responsible Innovation

News Release 2017-48 | April 28, 2017 Share This Page: CHICAGO—Comptroller of the Currency Thomas J. Curry today discussed the state of financial innovation and its potential to improve the lives of ordinary Americans and the bottom lines of businesses. During the remarks at an event sponsored by Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, the Comptroller […]

FTC Imposes Conditions on Acquisition of Industrial Valve Manufacturer Pentair plc by Emerson Electric Co.

Industrial valve manufacturer Emerson Electric Co. has agreed to sell the switchbox business of Pentair plc to Stamford, Conn.-based Crane Co. in order to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that Emerson’s proposed $3.15 billion acquisition of Pentair would violate federal antitrust law. Emerson and Pentair are manufacturers of industrial valves and control products, including switchboxes, […]

FTC Approves Sycamore Partners II, L.P. Application to Sell 323 Family Dollar Stores to Dollar General

Following a 15-day public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved an application from Sycamore Partners II, L.P. to sell to Dollar General Corporation the assets it acquired under a 2015 FTC settlement. To resolve concerns that Dollar Tree, Inc.’s acquisition of Family Dollar Stores, Inc. would be anticompetitive, the Commission required Dollar Tree […]

Acting Chairman Ohlhausen Welcomes FCC Action as Important Step to Restore FTC Consumer Protections

Acting Federal Trade Commission Chairman Maureen K. Ohlhausen issued the following statement on Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai’s announcement of a process to reverse the FCC’s 2015 decision to treat broadband Internet access service as a Title II common carrier service: “I welcome Chairman Pai’s announcement as an important step toward restoring the FTC’s […]

Debt Collector Ordered to Pay $2 Million in Civil Penalties

At the Federal Trade Commission’s request, a federal court has ordered Timothy L. Ford, the president of Commercial Recovery Systems Inc. (CRS), to pay a $2 million civil penalty for violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act by falsely threatening debtors. The court judgment resolves a case filed on the FTC’s behalf by the Department […]

FTC Obtains Court Order Against Envelope-Stuffing Scheme

An envelope-stuffing operation is banned from selling business and work-at-home opportunities under a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission. The settlement resolves FTC charges that David S. Brookman and his companies falsely told people they could earn up to $5,000 per week by stuffing and mailing “special advertising letters” from home. The letters turned out […]

Marketers of ‘NutriMost Ultimate Fat Loss System’ Settle FTC Charges

The marketers of a weight-loss system advertised as using “breakthrough technology” and “personalized supplements” to help consumers permanently lose “20 to 40+ pounds in 40 days” without significantly cutting calories, have agreed to settle a Federal Trade Commission complaint that the claims were deceptive and not supported by scientific evidence. The court order settling the […]

FTC Approves Final Consent Order with Online Company Charged with Deceptively Tracking Consumers Online and Through Mobile Devices

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final settlement with a Redwood City, California company over charges that it deceived consumers by tracking them online and through their mobile applications even after consumers took steps to opt out of such tracking. Turn Inc., which enables sellers to target digital advertisements […]

FTC Seeks Comment on Proposed Changes to TRUSTE’s COPPA Safe Harbor Program

The Federal Trade Commission is seeking comment on proposed changes to TRUSTe’s safe harbor program under the agency’s Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule. The FTC’s COPPA Rule includes a “safe harbor” provision designed to encourage increased industry self-regulation in this area. Under this provision, industry groups and others may ask the Commission to approve self-regulatory […]

FTC Staff Reminds Influencers and Brands to Clearly Disclose Relationship

After reviewing numerous Instagram posts by celebrities, athletes, and other influencers, Federal Trade Commission staff recently sent out more than 90 letters reminding influencers and marketers that influencers should clearly and conspicuously disclose their relationships to brands when promoting or endorsing products through social media. The letters were informed by petitions filed by Public Citizen […]