News Releases for August 2009
News Releases for August 2009
August 27, 2009
- For Release: August 27, 2009
Court Rules in Favor of FTC, Orders Supplement Marketers to Pay Nearly $70 Million for Consumer RefundsA federal district court has ordered the marketers of two dietary supplements – "Supreme Greens" and "Coral Calcium" – who claimed the products would cure ailments ranging from cancer and Parkinson’s disease to heart disease and autoimmune diseases to pay nearly $70 million for deceiving consumers about the products’ effectiveness and safety. - For Release: August 27, 2009
New Rule Prohibiting Unwanted "Robocalls" to Take Effect on September 1Telemarketers Must Obtain Prior Written Approval from Consumers Who Want to Receive Such Calls
August 26, 2009
- For Release: August 26, 2009
FTC Settlement Bars Seller's Deceptive 'Biodegradable' ClaimsA retailer of rayon towels will be barred from making false claims that mislead consumers into thinking that its products are "biodegradable," under a proposed settlement with the Federal Trade Commission.
August 25, 2009
- For Release: August 25, 2009
FTC Actions Stop Deceptive Schemes in "Operation Tele-PHONEY" CasesCourt Orders Bar All Illegal Telemarketing Activities - For Your Information: August 25, 2009
Weathering Hurricane SeasonAs the hurricane season gets underway, it’s time to tap into your inner scout and "be prepared." Your preparation for weather extremes or other natural disasters of course involves securing your windows, roof, or basement, but it also requires you to organize your financial papers. - For Your Information: August 25, 2009
Commission Approves Final Consent Order in Matter Concerning Aspen Technology, Inc.Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved a final consent order in the matter of Aspen Technology, Inc.
August 24, 2009
- For Release: August 24, 2009
FTC Action Stops Foreclosure 'Rescue' OperationThe Federal Trade Commission has put a stop to a deceptive foreclosure "rescue" operation that charged homeowners $1,200 based on the false promise that it could save them from losing their homes.
August 20, 2009
- For Release: August 20, 2009
At FTC’s Request, Court Halts Deceptive Claims for Free Government GrantsWeb Sites Pitched “Easy to Use Program” and “$15 Billion of Free Money” - For Release: August 20, 2009
FTC Settlement Bars Deceptive Online Marketing Tactics; Payday Loan Applicants Were Charged for Unwanted Debit CardsA debit card company that charged consumers a fee for a debit card they had ordered unknowingly while applying for a payday loan online, has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that the company and its principals violated federal law. - For Your Information: August 20, 2009
FTC Announces Public Forum on Proposed Debt Relief Amendments to the Telemarketing Sales RuleThe Federal Trade Commission is inviting interested persons to participate in a public forum on November 4, 2009, to discuss proposed debt relief amendments to the Commission’s Telemarketing Sales Rule.
August 19, 2009
- For Release: August 19, 2009
Court Halts Job Placement Scam at FTC's Request'Guaranteed' Jobs Never Materialized
August 18, 2009
- For Your Information: August 18, 2009
Commission Announces New Fees for Telemarketers Accessing the National Do Not Call RegistryThe FTC has announced new fees starting on October 1, 2009, for telemarketers accessing phone numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry. - For Release: August 18, 2009
Mortgage Lender Agrees to Settle FTC Charges; Prescreened Loan Offers Lacked Proper Opt-Out NoticeA home mortgage lender that sent prescreened offers of credit to consumers without properly informing them of their right to opt out of receiving such offers in the future has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it violated federal law.
August 17, 2009
- For Release: August 17, 2009
FTC Issues Final Breach Notification Rule for Electronic Health InformationThe Federal Trade Commission has issued a final rule requiring certain Web-based businesses to notify consumers when the security of their electronic health information is breached. - For Release: August 17, 2009
Extra! Extra! FTC Announces Revised Schedule for Workshop: "From Town Criers to Bloggers: How Will Journalism Survive the Internet Age?"The Federal Trade Commission today announced December 1 and 2, 2009, as the dates on which it will begin a series of workshops titled "From Town Criers to Bloggers: How Will Journalism Survive the Internet Age?"
August 14, 2009
- For Your Information: August 14, 2009
FTC Seeks Comment on The Dow Chemical Company's Petition to Divest Its Acrylic Acid and Latex Polymers Businesses to Arkema Inc.The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comment on a petition from The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) requesting approval to divest its acrylic acid and latex polymers businesses to Arkema Inc., pursuant to a March 2009 Commission consent order.
August 12, 2009
- For Your Information: August 12, 2009
FTC Releases Reports on Cigarette and Smokeless Tobacco Sales and Marketing ExpendituresThe amount spent on cigarette advertising and promotion by the five largest cigarette companies in the United States declined from $13.11 billion in 2005 to $12.49 billion in 2006, according to a report released today by the Federal Trade Commission.
August 11, 2009
- For Release: August 11, 2009
Two Companies Pay Civil Penalties to Settle FTC Charges; Failed to Give Required Notices to Fired Workers and Rejected Job ApplicantsTwo companies that fired workers and rejected job applicants based on background checks without informing them of their rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they violated federal law. - For Release: August 11, 2009
FTC Charges Companies with 'Bamboo-zling' Consumers with False Product ClaimsBamboo-based Textiles, Actually Made of Rayon, Are Not Antimicrobial, Made in an Environmentally Friendly Manner, or Biodegradable - For Release: August 11, 2009
Judge Upholds FTC Staff Complaint Against Marketers of Bogus Cancer CuresAn Administrative Law Judge has upheld Federal Trade Commission staff charges against a company and its officer for making deceptive claims that shark cartilage and herbal formulations prevent, treat, and cure cancer, and heal the effects of chemotherapy and radiation.
August 7, 2009
- For Your Information: August 7, 2009
Commission Reopens Public Comment Period On the Negative Option RuleThe Commission has reopened the public comment period for the review of its Rule Concerning the Use of Prenotification Negative Option Plans at the request of an organization and state and local governments seeking additional time. - For Your Information: August 7, 2009
Tips for Consumers About Layaway PlansFor a long time, layaway plans have provided an alternative to paying cash or using credit.
August 6, 2009
- For Release: August 6, 2009
New FTC Rule Prohibits Petroleum Market ManipulationThe Federal Trade Commission today issued a Final Rule that will prohibit market manipulation in the petroleum industry. - For Release: August 6, 2009
Court Halts U.S. Internet Seller Deceptively Posing as U.K. Home Electronics SiteIn the wake of a Federal Trade Commission complaint against a company that deceptively sold electronics to hundreds of British consumers, the company has agreed to stop its allegedly illegal tactics until the case is decided in federal court. - For Your Information: August 6, 2009
Live Webcast: FTC Roundtable on Protecting Consumers in Debt Collection Litigation and ArbitrationToday is the final day of a public event the Federal Trade Commission and the Searle Center on Law, Regulation, and Economic Growth at Northwestern University School of Law are hosting on consumer protection issues in debt collection proceedings.
August 5, 2009
- For Release: August 5, 2009
FTC Sues Prepaid Calling Card Distributor for Deceiving ConsumersConsumers Got Fewer Calling Minutes Than Advertised, Were Charged Hidden Fees, Agency Says - For Your Information: August 5, 2009
FTC Seeks Comment on ConocoPhillips's Petition to Amend Its Propane Supply Agreement with NGLThe Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comment on a petition from ConocoPhillips requesting approval to amend its propane supply agreement with NGL Supply, Inc., pursuant to a 2002 Commission consent order. - For Your Information: August 5, 2009
Live Webcast: FTC Roundtable on Protecting Consumers in Debt Collection Litigation and ArbitrationToday and tomorrow, the Federal Trade Commission and the Searle Center on Law, Regulation, and Economic Growth at Northwestern University School of Law are hosting a public event on consumer protection issues in debt collection proceedings.
August 3, 2009
- For Release: August 3, 2009
Statement of Bureau of Competition Director Richard Feinstein Regarding the Announcement that Google CEO Eric Schmidt Has Resigned from Apple’s BoardOn August 3, 2009, Apple announced that Eric E. Schmidt, Chief Executive Officer of Google, was stepping down from its board.