Online Trading Academy will be required to offer debt forgiveness to thousands of consumers who purchased its “training programs,” while the company’s founder and other individuals will together pay between $5 and $9.1 million and turn over assets under the terms of a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission that is expected to result in […]
Category Archives: Federal Trade Commission
FTC Releases Agenda for September Workshop on Data Portability
The Federal Trade Commission has released the agenda for its September 22, 2020, workshop that will examine the potential benefits and challenges to consumers and competition raised by data portability. Data portability gives consumers more control over their data, allowing them to move data—such as emails, contacts, calendars, financial information, health information, favorites, friends, or content […]
Operators of Student Debt Relief Scheme Agree to Pay at Least $835,000 to Settle FTC Allegations
The operators of a student loan debt relief scheme will pay at least $835,000 to settle Federal Trade Commission allegations that they charged illegal upfront fees and made false promises to consumers struggling with student loan debt. The settlement resolves FTC litigation against Carey G. Howe, Anna C. Howe, Shunmin Hsu, Ruddy Palacios, and Oliver […]
FTC Refunds Almost $3.9 Million to Purchasers of Deceptively Advertised Quell Wearable Pain-Relief Device
The Federal Trade Commission is sending 70,142 checks and PayPal payments totaling $3,864,824 to consumers nationwide who bought Quell, a wearable device that supposedly would treat chronic pain throughout the body when placed below the knee. According to the FTC, Massachusetts-based NeuroMetrix, Inc. and its CEO, Shai Gozani, sold Quell—a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation device—to […]
FTC to Hold Virtual Workshop November 10 on Franchise Rule
The Federal Trade Commission will host an online public workshop on November 10, 2020 as part of the agency’s review of the Franchise Rule, which is designed to ensure that consumers who are considering buying a franchise have key information they need to weigh the risks and benefits of that potential investment. The November 10 […]
Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division to Co-Host the 19th Annual International Competition Network Conference
The Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division will co-host the 19th annual International Competition Network, or ICN, Conference, from Sept. 14 to Sept. 17, 2020. Originally planned as an in-person conference in Los Angeles in May, the conference will feature leadership and staff from antitrust agencies from around the globe, as well […]
Children’s Online Learning Program ABCmouse to Pay $10 Million to Settle FTC Charges of Illegal Marketing and Billing Practices
Note: The FTC will host a media call-in on this announcement with Todd Kossow, Director, FTC’s Midwest Regional OfficeDate: September 2, 2020Time: 12:00 p.m. CT (1 p.m. ET)Call-in: 844-291-6360; Access Code: 2355746 Call-in lines, which are for media only, will open 15 minutes prior to the start of the call. Online children’s education company Age […]
FTC Chairman Joseph J. Simons Signs Antitrust Cooperation Framework with Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and United Kingdom
Today, Federal Trade Commission Chairman Joseph J. Simons signed the Multilateral Mutual Assistance and Cooperation Framework for Competition Authorities among the FTC, the Department of Justice, and competition agencies in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. The Framework aims to strengthen cooperation among the signatories and provides the basis for a contemplated series of […]
Statement of FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Andrew Smith on the Memorandum Opinion Issued by U.S. District Court Judge Peter J. Messitte in the Matter of In re Sanctuary Belize Litigation
The Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Andrew Smith issued the following statement regarding the memorandum opinion issued late last week by U.S. District Court Judge Peter J. Messitte for the District of Maryland, in the matter of In re Sanctuary Belize litigation. “With this $120 million judgment, the Federal Trade Commission has successfully […]
FTC Seeks to Add Real Estate Investment Celebrities Dean Graziosi and Scott Yancey as Defendants in Real Estate Training Case
The Federal Trade Commission is seeking to name celebrity real estate investment promoters Dean Graziosi and Scott Yancey as defendants in a case for their roles in a massive real estate training scheme that bilked consumers out of more than $400 million. Graziosi is known for his appearances in infomercials promoting his books on real estate […]