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Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission finalized the Order settling charges that Legacy Learning Systems Inc. and its owner, Lester Gabriel Smith, deceptively advertised the “Learn and Master Guitar” program through online affiliate marketers who falsely posed as ordinary consumers or independent reviewers without clearly disclosing they were paid substantial commissions for every sale they generated.  Under the final order, Smith and Legacy Learning will pay $250,000, and maintain a system to review and monitor their affiliate marketers’ representations and disclosures.

The Commission vote approving the final Order was 5-0.  (File No. 1023055; the staff contacts are Stacey Ferguson or Victor DeFrancis, Bureau of Consumer Protection,  202-326-2361 or 202-326-3495.)

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 and follow us on Twitter.

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