A new paper from the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection provides a look at the information covered in the FTC’s “Strictly Business” forum on small business financing. The staff perspective paper outlines a number of topics discussed by participants in the forum. It provides an overview of small business lending and the emergence […]
Monthly Archives: February 2020
FTC Sends Refund Checks to Tech Support Scam Victims
The Federal Trade Commission will begin sending refunds totaling more than $1.7 million to consumers who were victims of a tech support scam. The scam tricked consumers into buying tech support services by claiming their computers were infected with viruses, malware, or other security breaches. The FTC, along with State of Connecticut and Commonwealth of […]
Operator of Fraudulent Debt Collection Scheme Settles With FTC, New York
The operator of a debt collection scheme has settled claims by the Federal Trade Commission and New York Attorney General that he and the companies he controlled lied to consumers about how much debt they owed and used illegal scare tactics to collect it. Under the settlement, Robert Heidenreich, who ran the scheme from the Buffalo, […]
Readouts from a Treasury Spokesperson on Secretary Mnuchin’s Bilateral Meetings in the UAE on Monday, February 24, 2020
Readout from a Treasury Spokesperson on Secretary Mnuchin’s meeting with United Arab Emirates Minister of State for Financial Affairs, His Excellency Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, and Central Bank Governor, His Excellency Mubarak Al Mansoori Abu Dhabi – U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin met with His Excellency Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, United Arab Emirates Minister […]
FTC Releases 2019 Privacy and Data Security Update
The Federal Trade Commission today released its annual privacy and security update for 2019, highlighting a record year for enforcement actions aimed at protecting consumer privacy and data security. For example, the Commission levied a $5 billion penalty—the largest consumer privacy penalty ever—against Facebook for violating its 2012 FTC privacy order and imposed new restrictions […]
FTC Refunding Consumers Defrauded by Cognitive Improvement Claims
The Federal Trade Commission is mailing 27,174 refund checks totaling over $551,000 to consumers who purchased deceptively marketed “cognitive improvement” supplements. According to the FTC’s April 2019 complaint, between August 2012 and January 2017, twelve corporate and four individual defendants deceptively marketed “cognitive improvement” supplements using sham news websites containing false and unsubstantiated efficacy claims, […]
Tax Time Guide: Millions make IRS.gov their first stop for tax help
IR-2020-42, February 25, 2020 WASHINGTON — Whether on home computers or mobile devices, the number of taxpayer visits to IRS.gov continues to grow year after year. Millions of taxpayers take advantage of the easy-to-use tools available 24 hours a day on the official website − IRS.gov. IRS.gov is home to IRS Free File, “Where’s My […]
Newly-revised IRS publication explains tax benefits for members of the military
IR-2020-40, February 24, 2020 WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service has released its newly-revised tax guide, designed to help members of the military understand the many special tax benefits available to them under the law. Publication 3, Armed Forces’ Tax Guide, now posted on IRS.gov, is packed with useful filing tips for any member of […]
Newly-revised IRS publication explains tax benefits for members of the millitary
IR-2020-40, February 24, 2020 WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service has released its newly-revised tax guide, designed to help members of the military understand the many special tax benefits available to them under the law. Publication 3, Armed Forces’ Tax Guide, now posted on IRS.gov, is packed with useful filing tips for any member of […]
O’Dell to serve as IRS Promoter Investigations Coordinator
IR-2020-41, February 24, 2020 WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service announced today that Brendan O’Dell will serve as the agency’s new promoter investigations coordinator. O’Dell, currently a senior advisor in the IRS Large Business & International (LB&I) Division, will coordinate promoter activity across the agency and will serve as the point person for Commissioner Chuck […]