In two unrelated Federal Trade Commission actions, discount retailer TJX and data brokers Reed Elsevier and Seisint have agreed to settle charges that each engaged in practices that, taken together, failed to provide reasonable and appropriate security for sensitive consumer information. The settlements will require that the companies implement comprehensive information security programs and obtain […]
Category Archives: Federal Trade Commission
FTC Asks Court to Halt Prepaid Calling Card Scam;Alleges Consumers Receive Fewer Calling Minutes Than Advertised and Pay Hidden Fees
The Federal Trade Commission has asked a U.S. district court judge to order a halt to the alleged illegal practices of CTA, a major distributor of prepaid calling cards across the country. In the last quarter of 2007 alone, CTA’s revenue from the sale of cards exceeded $28 million. The FTC charges that CTA misrepresents […]
FTC Authorizes Motion to Intervene and Object to Proposed Class Action Settlement in New Jersey State Court
Commission approval of motion to intervene and object to proposed class action settlement: The Commission has approved a motion to intervene in and object to a proposed class action settlement agreement currently being considered by the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division: Monmouth County. The FTC is also requesting leave to participate in the […]
Statement of Federal Trade Commission Chairman Deborah Platt Majoras
As previously announced, I will resign as Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, effective March 30. The President has announced his intention of designating FTC Commissioner William E. Kovacic as the next Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission. Bill will be a terrific Chairman. Having served in several capacities at the agency – most recently […]
Commission Issues Advisory Opinion on FDCPA and Debt Collectors; FTC Extends Comment Period for Mobile Town Hall
Issuance of Commission advisory opinion: The Commission has issued an advisory opinion stating that the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act does not prohibit a debt collector in the foreclosure context from communicating with consumers regarding possible settlement options that may assist consumers to avoid foreclosure. USFN, formerly known as the U.S. Foreclosure Network, the nation’s […]
FTC Issues 2008 Fair Debt Collection Practices Report to Congress
For Your Information March 21, 2008 Issuance of Commission report to Congress: The Commission has authorized the staff to release publicly the 30th Annual Report to Congress on the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). This report, which is available now on the FTC’s Web site, summarizes the Commission’s administration and enforcement of the FDCPA […]
FTC to Host Roundtable Discussion on Phishing Education
The Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection will host a half-day roundtable discussion on phishing education on Tuesday, April 1, 2008. Phishing is a form of online identity theft that uses deceptive spam to trick consumers into divulging sensitive or personal information, including credit card numbers and other financial data, either through email or […]
FTC Approves Federal Register Notice Seeking Comments on Revised Proposed Business Opportunity Rule
Commission approval of Federal Register notice: The Commission has approved the publication of a Federal Register notice seeking comments on a revised proposal for a new trade regulation rule governing business opportunities. Dating from 1978, the FTC historically has had a single rule covering two distinct types of offerings: franchises and business opportunity ventures. Many […]
Federal Trade Commission to Host Workshop on Health Care Clinical Integration
The Federal Trade Commission will host a one-day public workshop on May 29, 2008, to discuss collaborations between health care providers to improve the provision of health care services and reduce costs. The workshop, titled “Clinical Integration in Health Care: A Check-Up,” will feature health care providers, government officials, health insurers and other payers, employers, […]
ValueClick to Pay $2.9 Million to Settle FTC Charges
Online advertiser ValueClick, Inc., will pay a record $2.9 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that its advertising claims and e-mails were deceptive and violated federal law. The agency also charged that ValueClick and its subsidiaries, Hi-Speed Media and E-Babylon failed to secure consumers’ sensitive financial information, despite their claims to do so. The […]