In a final summary filed in federal court today, the Federal Trade Commission reported that Volkswagen and Porsche repaid a total of more than $9.5 billion since 2016 to car buyers under the FTC’s orders stemming from the companies’ deceptive “clean diesel” advertising of VWs and Audis fitted with illegal emission defeat devices. Given a […]
Category Archives: Federal Trade Commission
Scammers Who Used Robocalls to Target Cash-Strapped Consumers Banned from Selling Debt Relief Services and Telemarketing
The operators of a Florida-based company that allegedly defrauded financially-distressed and often older-adult consumers with deceptive robocalls claiming they could save them money by reducing the interest rates on their credit cards has settled Federal Trade Commission charges that their conduct was both deceptive and illegal. The proposed court order resolving the FTC’s allegations bans […]
Indivior, Inc. to Pay $10 Million to Consumers, Settling FTC Charges that the Company Illegally Maintained a Monopoly over the Opioid Addiction Treatment Suboxone
Indivior, Inc. has agreed to pay $10 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it violated antitrust laws through a deceptive scheme to thwart lower priced generic competition with its branded opioid replacement therapy drug Suboxone. The proposed stipulated order for a permanent injunction and equitable monetary relief also bars Indivior from similar future conduct. […]
FTC Testifies Before Congress on Efforts to Combat COVID-19-related Scams
The Federal Trade Commission testified today before the Senate Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Manufacturing, Trade, and Consumer Protection on its efforts to combat scams and other consumer problems related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The testimony, delivered by Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Andrew Smith, outlined the FTC’s efforts to protect consumers from scammers seeking […]
FTC and Missouri Attorney General Warn Hearing Aid Sellers About Deceptive Stimulus Payment Claims
The Federal Trade Commission and Missouri Attorney General have sent warning letters to two companies that sent mailers to consumers that suggested that they could provide government stimulus money to customers to purchase their hearing aids. The letters highlight claims included in the mailers that implied that consumers were eligible for a government stimulus benefit specifically […]
FTC to Host Virtual PrivacyCon 2020 on July 21
WHAT: The Federal Trade Commission will host PrivacyCon 2020 to examine the latest research and trends related to consumer privacy and data security. WHEN: Tuesday, July 21, 2020, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET WHERE: The event will be held online. A link to view PrivacyCon will be posted the morning of the event to […]
Court Rules in FTC’s Favor Against Student Debt Relief Scammers
The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California has ruled in favor of the Federal Trade Commission in a case against the operators of a student loan debt relief scheme. The defendants are banned from telemarketing or providing debt relief services. The court found that the operators, doing business as Federal Direct Group, Mission […]
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 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 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 […]