FTC Approves Final Consent Settling Charges that Home Security Company ADT’s Endorsements Deceived Consumers

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final consent order settling charges that the home security company ADT LLC misrepresented that paid endorsements from safety and technology experts who appeared as guests on news programs and talk shows were independent reviews.

First announced in March 2014, the settlement prohibits ADT from misrepresenting paid endorsements as independent reviews, and requires the company to clearly and prominently disclose any material connections in advertising for home security or monitoring products or services, and promptly remove reviews and endorsements that have been misrepresented as independently provided by an impartial expert or have failed to disclose a material connection between ADT and an endorser.

The Commission vote to approve the final order in this case was 4-0-1, with Commissioner McSweeny not participating. (FTC File No. 1223121; the staff contact is Michelle Rusk, FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection, 202-326-3148.)

The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 2,000 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s website provides free information on a variety of consumer topics. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.

IR Press

Recent Posts

OCC Announces Enforcement Actions for November 2024

WASHINGTON—The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today released enforcement actions taken against…

22 hours ago

Remarks by Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen on the 30th Anniversary of the Community Development Financial Institution Fund

As Prepared for Delivery Good afternoon. It’s an honor to welcome President Clinton to Treasury today…

2 days ago

Treasury Sanctions Gazprombank and Takes Additional Steps to Curtail Russia’s Use of the International Financial System

Treasury imposes sanctions on dozens of Russian banks, securities registrars, and finance officials; OFAC issues…

2 days ago

Acting Comptroller Testifies on State of the Federal Banking System

WASHINGTON—Acting Comptroller Michael J. Hsu today testified on the state of the federal banking system…

2 days ago

Remarks by Assistant Secretary for International Finance Brent Neiman on the U.S. Cross-Border Payments Agenda

As Prepared for Delivery Thank you very much for the opportunity to be here today, and…

4 days ago