Polyurethane foam producers FXI Holdings, Inc. and Innocor, Inc. have agreed to divest polyurethane foam pouring plants in three regional markets to Future Foam, Inc., to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that FXI’s proposed $850 million acquisition of Innocor would violate federal antitrust law. The FTC alleges that the combination of FXI and Innocor would substantially lessen […]
Category Archives: Federal Trade Commission
FTC Sending More Than $34 Million in Refunds to Office Depot Customers
The Federal Trade Commission is sending refund checks totaling more than $34 million to consumers who allegedly were tricked by Office Depot, Inc. and a software provider into buying computer repair products and services. Office Depot paid $25 million while its software supplier, Support.com, Inc., paid $10 million as part of 2019 settlements with the […]
FTC Requires Veterinary Service Providers Compassion First and National Veterinary Associates to Divest Assets in Three Local Markets
Veterinary service providers Compassion First and National Veterinary Associates, or NVA, have agreed to divest facilities in three locations to MedVet Associates, LLC, to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that Compassion First’s proposed $5 billion acquisition of NVA would violate federal antitrust law. The FTC alleges that, as proposed, the acquisition would harm competition in three local […]
Defendants Responsible for International Business Coaching Operation to Pay More Than $17 Million in FTC Settlements
The key perpetrators of a massive international business coaching scheme known as My Online Business Education (MOBE) have agreed to pay more than $17 million as part of settlements with the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC’s complaint, filed in 2018, alleged that MOBE, a Malaysian company, lured consumers to join its online coaching program by […]
FTC Seeks Public Comment on its Endorsement Guides
The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comment on whether to make changes to its Endorsement Guides as part of the agency’s systematic review of all current FTC rules and guides. The Endorsement Guides, formally known as the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising, first enacted in 1980 and amended in 2009, provide […]
FTC Sues Online Trading Academy for Running an Investment Training Scheme
The Federal Trade Commission has sued the California-based investment training scheme Online Trading Academy (OTA), led by Eyal Shachar. The FTC alleges that OTA uses false or unfounded earnings claims to sell “training programs” costing as much as $50,000. OTA has collected more than $370 million from consumers nationwide within the last six years. According […]
New FTC Data Show Consumers Reported Losing More Than $200 Million to Romance Scams in 2019
New Federal Trade Commission data from the agency’s Consumer Sentinel Network show that consumers reported losing $201 million to romance scams in 2019—up nearly 40% since 2018. Romance scammers prey on consumers who are looking for love, converting what feels like a budding relationship into an ask for money to help the scammer get out […]
FTC Acts to Stop Two Companies from Making Unproven Bone and Joint Claims
The Federal Trade Commission sued two companies to stop them from continuing to deceive consumers with false claims that their pills are scientifically proven to alleviate joint pain by growing new bone and cartilage. The FTC filed a complaint against ZyCal Bioceuticals, that has marketed a line of joint pain relief products under the brand […]
FTC Acts to Stop Deceptive Ad Sales to Small Businesses
Two Oregon-based media production companies and their owner have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they deceptively pitched “exclusive” advertising placements to small businesses and misled them about when the ads would be printed and distributed. The stipulated court order settling the FTC’s complaint bans the defendants from such deceptive conduct and requires […]
FTC to Examine Past Acquisitions by Large Technology Companies
Note: The FTC will host a conference call for media with FTC Chairman Joe Simons: Date: Feb. 11, 2020Time: 1 p.m. ETCall-in: 877-226-8216, confirmation number 4193234 Call-in lines, which are for media only, will open 15 minutes prior to the start of the call. The Federal Trade Commission issued Special Orders to five large technology firms, […]