The Federal Trade Commission and the Utah Division of Consumer Protection sued Nudge, LLC and affiliated companies, alleging that they make empty promises about earning money by “flipping” houses, to convince consumers to buy real estate training packages that cost thousands of dollars. In a filing today, the FTC and the Utah Division of Consumer […]
Category Archives: Federal Trade Commission
FTC Releases Advertising Disclosures Guidance for Online Influencers
The Federal Trade Commission has released a new publication for online influencers that lays out the agency’s rules of the road for when and how influencers must disclose sponsorships to their followers. The new guide, “Disclosures 101 for Social Media Influencers,” provides influencers with tips from FTC staff about what triggers the need for a […]
AT&T to Pay $60 Million to Resolve FTC Allegations It Misled Consumers with ‘Unlimited Data’ Promises
AT&T Mobility, LLC, will pay $60 million to settle litigation with the Federal Trade Commission over allegations that the wireless provider misled millions of its smartphone customers by charging them for “unlimited” data plans while reducing their data speeds. In a complaint filed in 2014, the FTC alleged that AT&T failed to adequately disclose to […]
FTC Announces January Workshop to Examine Voice Cloning Technologies
The staff of the Federal Trade Commission will host a public workshop on January 28, 2020 to examine voice cloning technologies, which enable users to make near-perfect reproductions of a real person’s voice. “You Don’t Say: An FTC Workshop on Voice Cloning Technologies” will examine both the benefits and potential misuses of voice cloning technologies. […]
FTC Sues Multi-Level Marketer Neora, formerly known as Nerium, Alleging it Operates as an Illegal Pyramid Scheme
The Federal Trade Commission sued the multi-level marketer Neora, LLC, formerly known as Nerium International, LLC, and its Chief Executive Officer, Jeffrey Olson, alleging that the company operates as an illegal pyramid scheme and falsely promises recruits they will achieve financial independence if they join the scheme. The lawsuit also alleges that defendants deceptively promote […]
FTC Approves Final Order Prohibiting Conduct by Therapist Staffing Company and Two Owners Accused of Colluding with Competitors on Compensation
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that a Texas company providing therapist staffing services to home health agencies, its owner, and the former owner of a competitor agreed to reduce pay rates for therapists and invited other competitors to collude on the rates. According to the […]
Military Service Members Can Obtain Free Credit Monitoring Starting on October 31
Starting October 31, many members of the military will have access to free electronic credit monitoring, which can help them spot identity theft. In response to a new FTC Rule implementing a 2018 law, the nationwide credit reporting agencies—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—are providing free electronic credit monitoring services to active duty service members and National […]
FTC Releases Results of 2017 Mass-Market Consumer Fraud Survey
The Federal Trade Commission has released the results of a comprehensive survey conducted in 2017 that examined the prevalence of mass-market consumer fraud, how it is perpetrated, and what factors are associated with a greater likelihood that a consumer may fall victim to fraud. The FTC conducted similar surveys in 2003, 2005, and 2011. The […]
FTC Sends Warning Letters to Sellers of Cosmetic Contacts: All Contact Lens Purchases Require a Prescription from a Medical Professional
As Halloween approaches and consumers consider temporarily changing their eye color or the look of their eyes to match their costumes, Federal Trade Commission staff has sent letters to seven domestic brick-and-mortar retailers warning them that it is illegal to sell contact lenses—even cosmetic contacts—to consumers without a prescription. In the letters, FTC staff warns […]
FTC Sues Publisher for Targeting Seniors With Phony Diabetes Cure and Money Making Schemes
Continuing its work to protect older Americans from fraud, the Federal Trade Commission sued a publisher called Agora Financial, LLC, alleging that it tricks seniors into buying books, newsletters, and other publications that falsely promise a cure for type 2 diabetes or promote a phony plan to help them cash in on a government-affiliated check […]