Washington – The U.S. Department of the Treasury today released Treasury International Capital (TIC) data for May 2020. The next release, which will report on data for June 2020, is scheduled for August 17, 2020. The sum total in May of all net foreign acquisitions of long-term securities, short-term U.S. securities, and banking flows was […]
Monthly Archives: July 2020
FTC Approves Final Order Settling Charges that Williams-Sonoma, Inc. Made Overly Broad and Misleading ‘Made in USA’ Claims about Houseware and Furniture Products
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final consent order settling charges that home products and kitchen wares company Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (“Williams-Sonoma”) made false, misleading, or unsubstantiated claims that all of its Goldtouch Bakeware products, its Rejuvenation-branded products, and Pottery Barn Teen and Pottery Barn Kids-branded upholstered furniture products are […]
FTC Sends Report to Congress on Social Media Bots and Deceptive Advertising
The Federal Trade Commission has sent a report to Congress on the use of social media bots in online advertising. The report summarizes the market for these bots and outlines the Commission’s past enforcement work and authority in this area, including cases involving automated programs on social media that mimic the activity of real people. […]
FTC, Florida Attorney General Obtain Court Order Temporarily Halting Bogus Orlando-Based Credit Card Interest Rate Reduction Operation
At the request of the Federal Trade Commission and the Florida Office of the Attorney General, a federal court has temporarily halted an alleged sham credit card interest rate reduction operation that often targeted financially distressed consumers and older adults. The court’s order temporarily halts the Orlando-based operation, freezes its assets, and appoints a receiver […]
FTC Sends More Than $1 Million in Refunds to Victims of Labor Law Poster Scam
Through the joint efforts of the Federal Trade Commission, the Florida Office of the Attorney General, and the Texas Office of the Attorney General, the FTC is sending refunds totaling more than $1 million to business owners who were victims of a deceptive scheme that sold labor law posters. According to lawsuits brought by the […]
IRS unveils “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams for 2020; Americans urged to be vigilant to these threats during the pandemic and its aftermath
IR-2020-160, July 16, 2020 WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced its annual “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams with a special emphasis on aggressive and evolving schemes related to coronavirus tax relief, including Economic Impact Payments. This year, the Dirty Dozen focuses on scams that target taxpayers. The criminals behind these bogus schemes […]
IRS debunks tax refund myths
IR-2020-161, July 16, 2020 WASHINGTON ― With the July 15 tax deadline now past, the Internal Revenue Service reminds all taxpayers that there is no secret way to find out when a refund will be issued. Most taxpayers have already filed their federal tax return, and many have already received their refund. Those that have […]
OCC Seeks Members for Minority Depository Institutions Advisory Committee
News Release 2020-94 | July 15, 2020 Share This Page: WASHINGTON — The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is seeking nominations for members of its Minority Depository Institutions Advisory Committee (MDIAC). The MDIAC assists the OCC in assessing the needs and challenges facing minority depository institutions. The OCC is seeking nominations of officers […]
OCC Seeks Nominations for Mutual Savings Association Advisory Committee
News Release 2020-93 | July 15, 2020 Share This Page: WASHINGTON—The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is seeking nominations for members of its Mutual Savings Association Advisory Committee (MSAAC). The MSAAC provides the OCC with advice and recommendations regarding the current and future circumstances and needs of mutual savings associations. Officers or directors […]
OCC Renews Minority Depository Institutions Advisory Committee Charter
News Release 2020-91 | July 15, 2020 Share This Page: WASHINGTON—The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has renewed the charter of its Minority Depository Institutions Advisory Committee (MDIAC), which advises the agency on issues and opportunities facing minority depository institutions. “The Minority Depository Institutions Advisory Committee provides the OCC with important insight on […]