FTC Alleges Get-Rich-Quick Scheme Bilked Consumers out of Millions with Deceptive Claims

The Federal Trade Commission has charged the operators of a get-rich-quick scheme with deceiving consumers by falsely claiming they could earn big money working from home by using products marketed as “secret codes” that were actually generic software products. In a complaint filed by the FTC, the Commission alleges that Ronnie Montano, Hyong Su Kim […]

FTC Requires Canadian Fertilizer and Chemical Companies PotashCorp and Agrium to Divest 2 Production Facilities as Condition of Merger

Canadian fertilizer and chemical companies Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. and Agrium Inc. have agreed to divest two U.S. production facilities in order to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that their proposed merger would negatively impact competition in two relevant markets. According to the FTC’s complaint, the proposed merger would likely harm competition in two […]

FTC Approves Final Order Preserving Competition in Markets for Five Types of Medical Devices

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corp.’s $1 billion acquisition of Johnson & Johnson’s Codman Neuro division would negatively impact competition in those markets. Both companies supply a range of devices used in operative neurosurgery, hydrocephalus management and neuro-critical care. As […]

Hotel Room Resellers Settle FTC Charges That They Misled Consumers

Utah-based third-party hotel room resellers have settled Federal Trade Commission charges that they misled consumers through ads, webpages, and call centers that led consumers to mistakenly believe they were reserving the rooms directly from the hotel, and failed to adequately tell consumers that their credit cards would be charged immediately, rather than after they arrived […]

FTC Issues Biennial Report to Congress on the National Do Not Call Registry

The Federal Trade Commission has issued its biennial report to Congress focusing on the use of the National Do Not Call (DNC) Registry by both consumers and businesses and other organizations over the past two years. This year’s report includes: 1) a summary of current Registry operations; 2) a summary of the impact on the […]

FTC Cases Resulted in More Than $6.4 Billion in Refunds for Consumers Between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017

The Federal Trade Commission reports that its law enforcement actions in a recent one-year period returned $6.4 billion in refunds to consumers, including $391 million the FTC sent directly to 6.28 million consumers. As noted in the FTC’s Office of Claims and Refunds Annual Report, the agency’s first report on money returned to consumers and […]

FTC Requires Divestiture of Two Medical Device Product Lines as Condition of Becton, Dickinson and Company Acquiring C. R. Bard, Inc.

Becton, Dickinson and Company and C. R. Bard, Inc. have agreed to divest two medical device product lines to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that Becton, Dickinson’s proposed $24 billion acquisition of Bard would negatively impact competition in those markets. Both companies supply a range of medical devices to health care organizations, healthcare workers, and […]

Collaborative Relationships with Minority Depository Institutions

FIL-64-2017 December 22, 2017 Collaborative Relationships with Minority Depository Institutions Printable Format: FIL-64-2017 – PDF (PDF Help) Summary: Insured depository institutions may realize business and regulatory benefits from partnerships and other collaborative relationships with minority depository institutions (MDIs). This Financial Institution Letter describes some of the ways that financial institutions, including community banks, can partner […]

FTC Challenges Consummated Merger of Companies That Make Microprocessor Prosthetic Knees

The Federal Trade Commission has issued an administrative complaint challenging the merger of two prosthetics manufacturers that are top sellers of prosthetic knees equipped with microprocessors. According to the FTC’s complaint, Otto Bock’s recent acquisition of FIH Group Holdings (owner of Freedom Innovations) harmed competition in the U.S. market for microprocessor prosthetic knees by eliminating […]

FTC Alters Final Consent Order in Response to Public Comments, Preserving Competition for Specialty and Emergency Veterinary Services in 10 U.S. Localities

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that Mars, Incorporated’s $9.1 billion acquisition of pet care company VCA Inc. would violate federal antitrust laws. Under the Order, Mars is required to divest 12 clinics in 10 localities to three divestiture buyers: National […]