A new update from the Federal Trade Commission shows that fake check scams led to reported individual median losses of nearly $2,000 – losses far higher than on any other of the top ten scams reported to the FTC. According to the new data analysis, consumers in their twenties are more than twice as likely […]
Category Archives: Federal Trade Commission
Statement of Daniel Francis, Deputy Director of FTC Bureau of Competition, Regarding Announcement that Edgewell Personal Care Company has Abandoned Its Proposed Acquisition of Harry’s, Inc.
Following today’s announcement by Edgewell Personal Care Company that it has terminated its merger agreement with Harry’s, Inc., Daniel Francis, Deputy Director of the Bureau of Competition, made this statement: “We are pleased to see that Edgewell has abandoned its proposed acquisition of Harry’s. For years, Edgewell and Procter & Gamble faced little competition on […]
FTC Takes Action to Stop Anti-Aging “Cure-All” Marketers From Making Baseless Health Claims
The sellers of a pill called ReJuvenation settled Federal Trade Commission charges that they deceptively claimed that their product is a virtual cure-all for age-related ailments—including cell damage, heart attack damage, brain damage, blindness, and deafness—and even aging itself. The orders settling the FTC’s complaint prohibit the defendants from making such claims unless they are […]
Court Stops Sprawling Scheme That Operated Hundreds of Websites That Deceived Consumers About Government Services
A court has granted the Federal Trade Commission’s request to preliminarily halt a scheme in which the defendants operated hundreds of websites that promised a quick and easy government service, such as renewing a driver’s license, or eligibility determinations for public benefits. Following an evidentiary hearing, the court held that the FTC was likely to prevail […]
FTC Seeks Public Comment as Part of its Review of the Funeral Rule
The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comment on whether to make changes to its Funeral Rule as part of the agency’s systematic review of all current FTC rules and guides. The Funeral Rule, enacted in 1982, protects consumers from unfair and deceptive practices in the sale of funeral products and services. Consumers in the […]
Operators of Comparison Shopping Website Agree to Settle FTC Charges Alleging Deceptive Rankings of Financial Products and Fake Reviews
The operators of a website that compares student loans and other financial products have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission allegations that they misled consumers to believe their website provided objective product information, when in fact they offered higher rankings and ratings to companies that paid for placement. In an administrative complaint against Delaware-based LendEDU […]
FTC and DOJ Extend Deadline for Public Comments on Draft Vertical Merger Guidelines, Announce Two Related Public Workshops
The Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice are extending the Feb. 11, 2020 deadline for comments on the draft Vertical Merger Guidelines. The deadline is now Feb. 26. The FTC and DOJ also announced two upcoming joint public workshops on the Draft Vertical Merger Guidelines. The first workshop will take place on March […]
FTC, FDA Sign Joint Statement Promoting Competition in Markets for Biologics
Federal Trade Commission Chairman Joseph J. Simons today joined Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Stephen Hahn in signing a joint statement promoting competition in biologics markets. “Biologics are essential to the treatment of many serious illnesses. Practices in biologics markets are delaying the availability of biosimilar products, thereby depriving patients of the benefits of competition, […]
FTC Files Suit to Block Edgewell Personal Care Company’s Acquisition of Harry’s, Inc.
The Federal Trade Commission today authorized staff of the Bureau of Competition to file suit to enjoin Edgewell Personal Care Company’s proposed $1.37 billion acquisition of its key competitor, Harry’s, Inc. The Commission’s complaint alleges that the proposed combination would eliminate one of the most important competitive forces in the shaving industry. The loss of […]
FTC Warns 19 VoIP Service Providers That ‘Assisting and Facilitating’ Illegal Telemarketing or Robocalling is Against the Law
Federal Trade Commission staff sent letters to 19 Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service providers warning them that “assisting and facilitating” illegal telemarketing or robocalling is against the law. “VoIP service providers play a unique role in the robocall ecosystem, allowing fraudsters and abusive telemarketers to call consumers at a fraction of a penny per […]