Student Debt Relief Operators Agree to Settle FTC Charges

The operators of a student loan debt relief scam have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they bilked millions from consumers by falsely claiming to enroll consumers in loan forgiveness programs, for which they charged up to $1,000 in illegal upfront fees. The five settlements are part of a coordinated federal-state law enforcement […]

Investor Alert: Don’t Invite Investment Scams to Find You

The SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy (OIEA) and Retail Strategy Task Force (RSTF) warn investors that providing your phone number and email address in response to an online investment promotion may make you a target for fraud. Some investment scams start with a promotion or advertisement, like an intriguing online video or email, […]

FTC and DOJ Return a Record $505 Million to Consumers Harmed by Massive Payday Lending Scheme

The Federal Trade Commission, working jointly with the U.S. Department of Justice, is mailing 1,179,803 refund checks totaling more than $505 million to people who were deceived by a massive payday lending scheme operated by AMG Services, Inc. and Scott A. Tucker. The consumer refunds stem from a record-setting $1.3 billion civil court judgment and […]

FTC Approves Final Consent Order in Aromaflage Insect Repellent Advertising Case

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final consent order settling deceptive advertising charges against Mikey & Momo, Inc. and its owners regarding the marketing of their Aromaflage sprays and candles. According to the FTC’s complaint, the New Jersey-based company and its owners used deceptive claims to sell perfume sprays […]

FTC Reaches Settlements with Four Companies That Falsely Claimed Participation in the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield

Four companies have agreed to settle allegations by the Federal Trade Commission that they falsely claimed certification under the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield framework and that two of these companies failed to abide by a key provision of the framework. In separate complaints, the FTC alleges that IDmission, LLC, mResource LLC (doing business as Loop Works, […]

Officials from U.S. and European Commission Participate in Bilateral Discussions in Washington D.C. to Discuss Antitrust Enforcement

Antitrust agency heads from the United States and the European Union met today in Washington D.C. to discuss current competition policy issues and cross-border cooperation in enforcement and policy matters. The meeting included Chairman Joseph Simons of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim of the U.S Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, […]

Testimony on “Oversight of the SEC’s Division of Investment Management”

Washington D.C. Sept. 26, 2018 Before the United States House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Securities, and Investment Chairman Huizenga, Ranking Member Maloney, and Members of the Subcommittee, thank you for inviting me to testify before you today about the work of the Division of Investment Management (the “Division”). I […]

FTC Chairman Joseph J. Simons Announces Selection of Gail F. Levine as a Deputy Director of the Bureau of Competition

Federal Trade Commission Chairman Joseph J. Simons announced today that he has selected Gail F. Levine to be a Deputy Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Competition, effective Oct. 15, 2018. “We are delighted to welcome Gail to the Front Office of the Bureau of Competition,” said Bureau of Competition Director Bruce Hoffman, who previously […]

Christine S. Wilson Sworn in as FTC Commissioner

Christine S. Wilson was sworn in today as a Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission. President Donald J. Trump named Wilson to a term that expires on Sept. 25, 2025. Wilson previously served at the FTC as Chairman Tim Muris’ Chief of Staff during the George W. Bush Administration, and as a law clerk in […]

FTC Sending Out Refunds in Cramming Case

The Federal Trade Commission is sending out 22,671 refund checks to people who lost money to a mobile cramming operation that placed tens of millions of dollars in charges on their mobile phone bills without their permission. The refunds stem from a major FTC crackdown first announced in 2013. As part of the scheme, the […]