Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces and investigates (Civil Investigative Demands) fraudulent, unfair and deceptive practices, as well as anticompetitive marketplace conduct. It possesses investigative authority pursuant to Sections 6, 9 and 20 of the FTC Act. Following an investigation, the FTC may initiate a consumer protection or antitrust enforcement action. The basic consumer protection statute enforced by the FTC is Section 5(a) of the FTC Act. Consumer protection laws are enforced by the Bureau of Consumer Protection. Antitrust laws are enforced by the Bureau of Competition.
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FTC Enforcement Action Against Telemarketers That Allegedly Threatened Removal from Google
The Federal Trade Commission has filed a complaint against a Florida-based telemarketing operation that is charged with deceiving small business owners by falsely representing an affiliation with/authorization by Google, making threats to remove businesses from search results and false promising specific search results. According to the FTC, Defendants operate a telemarketing scam in which they target small business…
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FTC Defense Lawyer Discusses Recent Agency Enforcement Activity
Chairman Joe Simons, on behalf of the Federal Trade Commission recent provided testimony before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government in an effort to set forth recent regulatory efforts and complex investigations to protect consumers. See, here. From unsubstantiated privacy and data security, to unsubstantiated health and IoT, the FTC’s mission…
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FTC Continues to Focus on Unsubstantiated Health Claims and Fake Testimonials
The Federal Trade Commission has announced that it has settled charges, via an administrative consent agreement, with a New Jersey-based company and its owners for the alleged use of deceptive claims to sell purported mosquito-repelling perfume sprays and scented candles. Specifically, the FTC alleges that efficacy claims were unsubstantiated and that various consumer reviews were…
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FTC Announces Invention-Promotion Settlement and Mortgage Relief Enforcement Action
The Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection polices unfair acts that cause substantial injury to consumers in violation of the FTC Act. Recently, the agency announced two noteworthy enforcement matters. Settlement With Operators of Alleged Invention Promotion Scam In 2017, the Federal Trade Commission charged the operators of an alleged invention-promotion scam with deceiving consumers and attempting to…
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Mobile Phone Maker Reaches Settlement with FTC over Deceptive Privacy and Data Security Claims
Mobile phone manufacturer BLU Products, Inc. and its co-owner have reached a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission over allegations that the company allowed a China-based third-party service provider to collect detailed personal information about consumers, such as text message contents and real-time location information, without their knowledge or consent despite promises by the company that…
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FTC Staff Perspective Examines Key Financial Issues That Affect Military Consumers
A Staff Perspective by the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, examines financial issues that can affect military consumers, including servicemembers, veterans and their families when they are purchasing and financing a car, dealing with debt collectors or making credit decisions, as well as their legal rights and remedies, and strategies to promote financial…
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