The Federal Trade Commission filed a complaint today against defendants Forms Direct, Inc., also known as American Immigration Center, and owner Cesare Alessandrini, alleging that they falsely implied that their websites were affiliated with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The defendants allegedly used such deception since 2010 to sell immigration form preparation services to […]
Tag Archives: deceptive/misleading conduct Bureau of Consumer Protection Consumer Protection
FTC Reports on Fighting Fraud in African American and Latino Communities
The Federal Trade Commission today issued a report to Congress describing the agency’s substantial work on fraud prevention, law enforcement, and consumer outreach and education in African American and Latino communities, and outlining a strategy to build on this prior work. The report, Combating Fraud in African American and Latino Communities: The FTC’s Comprehensive Strategic […]
FTC Obtains $13.4 Million Judgment Against Former BlueHippo Defendant
At the Federal Trade Commission’s request, a federal court has found BlueHippo Funding LLC, BlueHippo Capital LLC and Joseph Rensin in contempt for operating a deceptive computer financing scheme in violation of a federal court order that the defendants agreed to in 2008. The court also entered judgment against Rensin, BlueHippo’s CEO, for $13.4 million, […]
FTC to Conduct Consumer Fraud Survey
The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comment on a proposal to conduct a survey to determine the prevalence of consumer fraud in the United States during 2016. The FTC has conducted three previous surveys of consumer fraud; the most recent survey covered 2011. The surveys examine the extent of fraud and the degree to […]
New FTC Spanish-Language Video Tells How to Spot and Report Imposter Scams
Jessica Rich, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, today introduced a new Spanish-language video about imposter scams at the Legislative Summit hosted by the National Association of Hispanic Publishers and the National Newspaper Publications Association. The video is a first-person account from a Latina who was harassed by scammers impersonating court officials and […]
FTC Approves Final Consent Order Against Network Solutions for Misleading Consumers About Refunds
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final consent order involving Network Solutions, LLC, which misled consumers who bought its web hosting services by falsely promising a full refund if they canceled within 30 days. In an administrative complaint annouced in April 2015, the FTC alleged that Network Solutions, a […]
FTC ‘Fotonovela’ Warns Latino Community About Notario Scams
Notarios aren’t attorneys, and they can’t help with the immigration process. To warn Spanish-speaking consumers about notario scams, the Federal Trade Commission has created a Spanish-language graphic novel, Cómo se enteraron Myriam y Pedro de las estafas de notario. It describes the warning signs of a notario scam, where to find help with the immigration […]
FTC Obtains Settlement From Network Solutions LLC for Misleading Consumers About Refunds
Network Solutions LLC has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it misled consumers who bought its web hosting services by promising a full refund if they canceled within 30 days. In reality, the company withheld substantial cancellation fees from most refunds. In an administrative complaint, the FTC alleged that Network Solutions, a domain […]
FTC Approves Final Order Barring Patent Assertion Entity From Using Deceptive Tactics
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that a company and its law firm used deceptive sales claims and phony legal threats in letters that accused thousands of small businesses around the United States of patent infringement. The order bars the company, MPHJ Technology Investments, LLC, […]
FTC ‘Fotonovela’ Warns Latino Community About Debt Collection Scams
To help Spanish-speaking consumers know their rights when dealing with debt collectors, the Federal Trade Commission has created a Spanish-language graphic novel, Cobradores de Deuda, which describes the rules debt collectors must follow, and what consumers should do if they don’t. It’s part of the FTC’s fotonovela series, a campaign to promote consumer education and […]