Markets Wired

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved final orders settling charges that five companies that make and sell replacement windows made deceptive energy efficiency and cost savings claims. The FTC’s complaints alleged that Gorell Enterprises, Inc.; Long Fence & Home, LLLP; Serious Energy, Inc.; THV Holdings LLC; and Winchester Industries made exaggerated and unsupported claims regarding their windows’ efficiency and how much money consumers could save on their heating and cooling bills by having them installed. The final orders prohibit the companies from making these claims and any other deceptive energy-related claims for products they sell.

The Commission vote approving each final order and letters to members of the public who commented on them was 3-0-2, with Commissioners J. Thomas Rosch and Maureen K. Ohlhausen not participating. (FTC File Nos. 112-3057, 102-3171, 112-3001, 112-3005, and 112-3053; the staff contact is Joshua S. Millard, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 202-326-2454; see press release dated February 22, 2012.

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.

(FYI 17.2012.wpd)