Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that Equifax Information Services LLC violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act and Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act by improperly selling lists of millions of consumers who were late on their mortgages. In settling the FTC’s complaint, […]
Tag Archives: Bureau of Consumer Protection Consumer Protection
Court Bans Auto Loan Modification Company from the Debt Relief Services Business
Acting on a Federal Trade Commission complaint, a federal court has banned a California-based company from providing modification services for auto loans and for any other type of debt. The court imposed a $362,388 default judgment against Hope for Car Owners, LLC, a company owned by Patrick Freeman. In December 2012, Freeman settled charges with […]
FTC Sends Over $1 Million in Refunds to Consumers Harmed by Mortgage Relief Scheme That Posed as Government Assistance Program
The Federal Trade Commission mailed 17,213 refund checks to consumers who were deceived by an operation that charged an up-front fee for bogus mortgage relief services and posed as a government mortgage assistance program. Under a settlement entered by the court in 2011 as part of the FTC’s continuing crackdown on scams that target homeowners […]
FTC Approves Final Orders Settling Charges Against The Sherwin-Williams Co. and PPG Architectural Finishes, Inc.; Issues Enforcement Policy Statement on “Zero VOC” Paint Claims
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission approved final orders settling charges that The Sherwin-Williams Co. and PPG Architectural Finishes, Inc made false and unsubstantiated claims that some of their paints contained zero volatile organic compounds (VOCs) after tinting. Based on these cases, the FTC has issued a new enforcement policy statement regarding […]
National Consumer Protection Week 2013 Kicks Off Sunday, March 3
The Federal Trade Commission is joining with more than 60 federal, state and local agencies, consumer groups and national advocacy organizations to participate in National Consumer Protection Week, held March 3-9, 2013. National Consumer Protection Week is a coordinated campaign designed to focus on the importance of keeping consumers informed while providing consumers with free […]
FTC Warns Veterans: Be Wary of Free Pension Advice
The Federal Trade Commission warns veterans and their families: Be wary of dishonest advisers offering “free” help with paperwork for pension claims. Unscrupulous lawyers, financial planners and insurance agents advise veterans over 65 to transfer their assets to a trust, or to invest in insurance products, so they can qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits. […]
FTC Approves Modified Final Order Settling Charges against Marketer of Four Loko Malt Beverage
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has finalized a modified Order settling charges against Phusion Projects, LLC, and its principals for falsely claiming that a 23.5-ounce can of Four Loko contains the alcohol equivalent of one or two regular 12-ounce beers, and that a consumer could drink one entire can safely on […]
FTC Sends $7.4 Million in Refunds to Consumers Harmed by Scheme That Sold Allegedly Bogus ‘Platinum’ Credit Card
On January 16, 2013, the Federal Trade Commission mailed 70,511 refund checks to consumers who lost money to a scheme that allegedly sold bogus “platinum” credit cards and illegally debited consumers’ bank accounts. Under a settlement entered by the court in September 2012 as part of the FTC’s ongoing efforts to protect consumers in financial […]
FTC/DOJ Amicus Brief Supports Right of Private Parties to Pursue Relief Under the Antitrust Laws
The staff of the Federal Trade Commission has joined the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court concerning the right of private parties to pursue relief under the antitrust laws. At issue is whether courts should enforce an arbitration agreement under the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) when […]
FTC Announces Action Against Alleged Pyramid Scheme
The Federal Trade Commission will co-host a press conference in Lexington, KY, today at 1 p.m. ET (Noon Central Time), with the Kentucky Attorney General’s office, to announce a major action against an allegedly illegal pyramid scheme. Steve Baker, Director of the FTC’s Midwest Region Office, and Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway will be available […]