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Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges against Rite Aid Corporation, and sent letters to members of the public who submitted comments on the order. The FTC charged that the company failed to protect the sensitive financial and medical information of its customers and employees. The settlement order requires Rite Aid to take several steps, including establishing a comprehensive information security program designed to protect the security, confidentiality, and integrity of the personal information it collects from customers and employees.

The FTC vote approving the final order was 5-0. (FTC File No. 0723121; the staff contact is Kristin Cohen, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 202-326-2276).

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 1,800 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s Web site provides free information on a variety of consumer topics.