Tag Archives: Consumer Protection

Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz, joined by U.S. Senator Harry Reid, Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto, and Assistant Attorney General Tony West of the Civil Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, today announced Operation Stolen Hope as part of a continuing federal-state crackdown on mortgage foreclosure rescue and loan modification scams. The […]

The Federal Trade Commission announced the agenda and speakers for its December 15, 2009 public forum titled “Sizing Up Food Marketing and Childhood Obesity.” The forum participants will present new research on the impact of various food advertising techniques on children and discuss the statutory and constitutional issues surrounding governmental regulation of food marketing. Panelists […]

The Federal Trade Commission has filed a civil contempt action charging an Internet-based check creation and delivery service and its operators with violating a 2009 court order. The FTC is asking the court to impose a daily fine or imprisonment if the allegedly unlawful conduct is not stopped, and to make the defendants compensate affected […]

The Commission has issued its Performance and Accountability Report (PAR) for fiscal year (FY) 2009. The PAR includes the FTC’s Performance Report and its financial statements and audit opinion. It also compares and evaluates actual performance against established measures and targets described in the FTC’s 2006 to 2011 Strategic Plan and the annual Performance Plan […]

The Federal Trade Commission has filed civil contempt charges against an attorney who represented the marketers of an “Internet kiosk” business opportunity that turned out to be nothing more than a Ponzi scheme. In its contempt action, the Commission charged that the attorney representing defendants in the case flouted a March 2009 federal court order […]

With the holiday season fast approaching, some smart planning now can keep your household budget intact when you ring in the new year. One option to consider is layaway plans. For a long time, these plans have provided an alternative to paying cash or using credit. The retailer holds merchandise in reserve until the consumer […]

The Federal Trade Commission has filed a complaint in federal court alleging that a catalog credit card operation deceptively marketed its card, failed to honor its refund policy, and charged up-front fees for a guaranteed line of credit. The defendants, who charged consumers hundreds of dollars in fees for the card, voluntarily agreed to an […]

The U.S. Justice Department, at the Federal Trade Commission’s request, has filed suit in federal court in a case affecting consumers nationwide. The government has charged three companies and two individuals with making advertising claims for their fat and weight-loss pills, Relacore and Akävar 20/50, that violate a 2006 FTC order barring them from making […]

Whether you use oil, natural gas, or electricity, there are many ways to ensure that you stay warm at home this winter without heating the great outdoors. The Federal Trade Commission’s consumer alert “Weathering the High Cost of Heating Your Home” tells you how to select energy-efficient home appliances, spot problems that waste fuel, shop […]

In response to a request by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for comment, the Federal Trade Commission has urged adoption of policies to protect and empower consumers as they buy and use communications services, including telephone, cable, and Internet access services. The FTC’s comment suggests that the FCC: adopt a policy requiring advertised prices of […]