FTC Provides Comment to FCC Encouraging Providers of Call-Blocking Services to Take Steps to Avoid Blocking Wanted Calls

In a comment provided to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), staff of the Federal Trade Commission responded to the FCC’s request for input on potential mechanisms to address erroneously blocked robocalls, without imposing undue harm on callers and consumers. In the comment, FTC staff stresses its support for the FCC’s inquiry into this important issue, […]

FTC to Provide Refunds to Victims of Tech Support Scam

The Federal Trade Commission is mailing refund checks totaling more than $668,000 to victims of a tech support scam that claimed to be associated with major tech companies to trick people into buying tech support services. In May 2017, the FTC and the state of Florida announced settlements with the operators of the tech support […]

Tech Support Operators Agree to Settle Charges by FTC and the State of Ohio

The operators of a computer tech support scam are permanently banned from the tech support business as part of a settlement to resolve charges by the Federal Trade Commission and the State of Ohio that the defendants tricked consumers into believing their computers were infected with viruses and malware, and then charged them hundreds of […]

FTC Approves Final Order Requiring Divestiture of 2 Medical Device Product Lines as Condition of Becton, Dickinson and Company Acquiring C. R. Bard, Inc.

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that medical technology company Becton, Dickinson’s proposed $24 billion acquisition of competitor C. R. Bard would violate federal antitrust law by harming competition in two U.S. markets for certain medical devices. Specifically, the markets at issue concern tunneled home […]

Marketer That Deceptively Advertised Bed Bug Treatment Admits Violating FTC Order; Will Be Barred from Bed Bug Product Sales and Pay $224,356 for Consumer Refunds

Chemical Free Solutions LLC (CFS), the seller of Cedarcide Original, a line of cedar oil-based products deceptively marketed as effective at stopping and preventing bed bug infestations, has settled Federal Trade Commission charges that it violated a 2013 order barring it from making scientifically unsupported product claims. Under the modified court order, CFS admits it […]

FTC Hosts Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week January 29-February 2

The Federal Trade Commission will mark Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week, January 29-February 2, with a series of free events to help consumers and businesses reduce their chances of becoming victims. Tax identity theft occurs when a person uses someone else’s Social Security number to either file a tax return and claim the victim’s refund, […]

Statement of Acting FTC Chairman Maureen K. Ohlhausen on the Announcement of New FTC Nominations

Federal Trade CommissionHeadquarters:600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NWWashington, DC 20580Contact Us Related posts: FTC Amends its Rules of Practice to Allow Delegation of Limited Authority When the Commission Lacks a Quorum Statement by Acting FTC Chairman Maureen K. Ohlhausen Regarding Announcement of the President’s Intent to Nominate Her to the U.S. Court of Federal Claims Former FTC […]

CRA Consideration for Community Development Activities in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico Following Hurricane Maria

FIL-7-2018 January 25, 2018 CRA Consideration for Community Development Activities in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico Following Hurricane Maria Printable Format: FIL-7-2018 – PDF (PDF Help) Summary: The FDIC generally encourages depository institutions to consider all reasonable and prudent steps to assist their customers and other residents in communities affected by natural disasters. […]

FTC Approves Final Consent Order in Cowboy Toyota Deceptive Advertising Case

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final consent order settling deceptive advertising charges against Cowboy AG, LLC, a Dallas, Texas, company doing business as Cowboy Toyota and Cowboy Scion (Cowboy Toyota). According to the FTC’s December 2017 complaint, in full-page Spanish-language newspaper ads, Cowboy Toyota misrepresented the cost of purchasing […]

FTC, FDA Warn Companies about Marketing and Selling Opioid Cessation Products

The Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today posted warning letters to 11 marketers and distributors of opioid cessation products for illegally marketing products with unproven claims about their ability to help in the treatment of opioid addiction and withdrawal. “Opioid addiction is a serious health epidemic that affects millions […]