Federal Trade Commission Chairman Joe Simons announced today that FTC Bureau of Competition Director Bruce Hoffman will be leaving the agency in November after serving in the position for more than two years. “Bruce has done an outstanding job leading the FTC’s vigorous antitrust enforcement efforts for the last two years,” Simons said. “His keen […]
Category Archives: Federal Trade Commission
FTC Announces PrivacyCon 2020 and Calls for Research Presentations
The Federal Trade Commission has announced a call for research presentations on consumer privacy and security issues, with a particular focus on health applications (apps), for the agency’s fifth annual PrivacyCon, which will take place on July 21, 2020. PrivacyCon 2020 will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders, including researchers, academics, industry representatives, consumer […]
FTC Sending Refund Checks for Nearly $2.7 Million to Consumers Defrauded in Timeshare Resale Scheme
The Federal Trade Commission is mailing 8,088 refund checks totaling nearly $2.7 million to consumers who paid an up-front fee to re-sell their unwanted timeshares. The average check amount is $332, and it must be cashed within 60 days, as indicated on the check. According to the FTC’s complaint, between November 2011 and December 2016, […]
FTC Puts an End to Bogus Job Placement and Resume Repair Scheme
The operator of a job placement company that deceived consumers with false promises of access to high-paying finance jobs and resume repair services for non-existent jobs will be permanently banned from providing employment services under the terms of a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission. In February 2019, a federal court halted the scheme at […]
FTC Sends Checks Totaling More Than $31 Million to LifeLock Customers
The Federal Trade Commission will begin sending refund checks totaling more than $31 million as part of a previously announced settlement with LifeLock, Inc., related to allegations that the identity theft protection provider violated a 2010 Commission data security order. The refunds stem from a 2015 settlement LifeLock reached with the Commission, which alleged that […]
FTC Returns More Than $2 Million to Victims of Business Coaching Scheme
The FTC will be mailing refund checks totaling more than $2 million to people who lost money to a Utah-based business coaching scheme that operated under the names Coaching Department and Apply Knowledge, among others. The refunds are the result of the FTC’s settlement with the scheme’s ringleaders and the companies through which the scheme […]
FTC to Host Workshop on October 7 to Examine COPPA Rule
WHAT: The Federal Trade Commission will host a public workshop to examine the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act Rule in light of evolving business practices and new technology in the online marketplace. WHEN: Monday, October 7, 2019, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET (Doors open at 8 a.m. ET) WHERE: Constitution Center400 Seventh St., SWWashington, […]
FTC Acts Against Company Using Celebrity Endorsements, Bogus Earnings Claims to Sell Real Estate Seminars
A federal court has entered a temporary restraining order against Utah-based Zurixx, LLC and affiliated companies, which the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Utah Division of Consumer Protection (DCP) allege have used deceptive promises of big profits to lure consumers into real estate seminars costing thousands of dollars. The order prohibits Zurixx from making unsupported […]
FTC to Study E-Cigarette Manufacturers’ Sales, Advertising, and Promotional Methods
The Federal Trade Commission has issued orders to six e-cigarette manufacturers seeking information to study the companies’ sales, advertising, and promotional methods. The orders were sent to: JUUL Labs, Inc.; R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company; Fontem US, Inc.; Logic Technology Development LLC; Nu Mark LLC; and NJOY, LLC. The FTC study will complement similar FTC studies […]
Multi-Level Marketer AdvoCare Will Pay $150 Million To Settle FTC Charges it Operated an Illegal Pyramid Scheme
Multi-level marketer AdvoCare International, L.P. and its former chief executive officer agreed to pay $150 million and be banned from the multi-level marketing business to resolve Federal Trade Commission charges that the company operated an illegal pyramid scheme that deceived consumers into believing they could earn significant income as “distributors” of its health and wellness […]