News Releases for September 1998
September 30, 1998
- For Release: September 30, 1998
FTC Upholds Charges: Automotive Breakthrough Sciences, Inc. Ordered Not to Use Term "ABS" to Market Add-On Brakes
The Federal Trade Commission has ordered Automotive Breakthrough Sciences, Inc., ABS Tech Sciences, Inc., and their principal, Richard Schops, to discontinue ads for their ABS/Trax system which claim that the aftermarket brakes they sell are as effective as factory installed antilock braking systems and has barred the company from using the term "ABS" in its advertising and marketing.
September 29, 1998
- For Release: September 29, 1998
FTC Charges New York City Vending Machine Company with Fraud
Hi Tech Mint Systems, Inc., a New York-based company that sells peppermint patty vending machine business opportunities, has been charged by the Federal Trade Commission with making false earnings claims in its advertisements, sales pitches and promotional materials, with failing to provide the required documents to substantiate their earnings claims, and with violating the Franchise Rule by misrepresenting the earnings potential of its business opportunities.
September 28, 1998
- Electric Industry Restructuring: September 28, 1998
FTC Staff Files Comment with Public Utilities Commission of Nevada about Regulations Governing Electric Utilities
The staff of the Federal Trade Commission on September 22 filed a comment with the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) about the regulations governing regulated electric utilities and their unregulated affiliated companies.
- For Release: September 28, 1998
Consumer Complaints about "Cramming" Continue to Rise
FTC Testifies for Second Time about Phony Phone Charges
- For Release: September 28, 1998
Y2K Web Surf: Informal Survey Assesses Availability of Information for Consumer Products
An informal surf of the websites maintained by the manufacturers of many consumer products reveals that companies could do more to educate consumers about potential Year 2000 problems, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
September 25, 1998
- Media Advisory: September 25, 1998
Public/Private Campaign to Warn Every U.S. Household About Mass Mail Fraud
New Initiatives, Private Sector Contributions Will Bolster Law Enforcement And Alert Consumers
September 23, 1998
- For Release: September 23, 1998
FTC Testifies in Support of Federal Legislation Protecting Children's Online Privacy
Enactment of the "Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998" is important and necessary to protect the privacy of children when they go online, Federal Trade Commission Chairman Robert Pitofsky said today as he presented Commission testimony in support of the legislation.
- For Your Information: September 23, 1998
FTC Staff Files Comment with Virginia Real Estate Board About State's Proposal to Bar Part-Time Brokers/Salespersons
The staff of the Federal Trade Commission on September 17 voted to file comments with the Virginia Real Estate Board about proposed changes to its real estate broker and salesperson licensing requirements.
- For Your Information: September 23, 1998
Announced Actions for September 23, 1998
The Commission has granted Roche Holding Ltd.'s request for approval to divest its drugs of abuse testing (DAT) reagents business to Microgenics Corporation.
September 22, 1998
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For Release: September 22, 1998
FTC Charges Lafarge, Boral Violated Antitrust Laws
Monier Lifetile Joint Venture Combined Largest Producers Of Concrete Roofing Tile - For Release: September 22, 1998
FTC Negotiates Settlements in Albertson's/Buttrey Merger to Keep Supermarket Prices Competitive in Montana and Wyoming
The Federal Trade Commission, in an effort to keep supermarket prices competitive in Montana and Wyoming, has negotiated an agreement with Albertson's, Inc. and Buttrey Food and Drug Store Company.
September 18, 1998
- For Release: September 18, 1998
FTC Officials Discuss Consumer Credit Issues and Highlight Consumer Education Efforts
Officials from the Federal Trade Commission today participated in two credit-related seminars as part of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Legislative Weekend.
- For Release: September 18, 1998
Three Marketers of Head Lice Treatments Agree to Settle FTC Charges
Agency Alleges Claims Misled Consumers About Product Use and Effectiveness
September 17, 1998
- For Release: September 17, 1998
California Telemarketer Pleads Guilty to Criminal Contempt Charges
Lonny Remmers of Santa Ana, California, has pleaded guilty to criminal contempt charges for violation of a Federal Trade Commission order that required Remmers to obtain a $150,000 performance bond before engaging in telemarketing.
- Media Advisory: September 17, 1998
FTC Commissioner Mozelle W. Thompson and Other Agency Officials to Speak at Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Weekend "Brain Trust"
Credit issues and credit-related scams and their impact on minority consumers will be the topic of two panels moderated by FTC Commissioner Mozelle W. Thompson during a "Brain Trust" session sponsored by Congressman Bobby Rush as part of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Legislative Weekend.
September 16, 1998
- For Your Information: September 16, 1998
Announced Actions for September 16, 1998
The Commission has voted to approve as final a consent order against Global Industrial Technologies, Inc. and the company’s subsequent divestiture application it submitted to comply with the consent order.
- For Immediate Release: September 16, 1998
Dentists in Puerto Rico Agree to Settle FTC Charges That They Conspired to Fix Prices and Engaged in an Illegal Boycott Denying Dental Care to Residents of Puerto Rico
Dentists in three communities in Puerto Rico have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they fixed prices and engaged in an illegal boycott in order to obtain higher reimbursement rates for dental services under Puerto Rico’s government managed care plan for the indigent.
September 15, 1998
- Electric Industry Restructuring: September 15, 1998
FTC Staff Files Comment with FERC about Electric Power Industry Merger Filing Requirements
The staff of the Federal Trade Commission on September 11 filed a comment with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in response to its request for comments about the agency's revised filing requirements for electric power industry mergers.
September 11, 1998
- Electric Industry Restructuring: September 11, 1998
FTC Files Comment with Louisiana Public Service Commission on Consumer Protection and Environmental Issues
The staff of the Federal Trade Commission on September 4 filed a comment with the Louisiana Public Service Commission in response to its request for comments about consumer protection issues related to regulatory reforms in the electric industry.
September 9, 1998
- For Release: September 9, 1998
Travel Promoter Settles FTC Charges
Foreign Nationals Were Targeted in Scam
September 8, 1998
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For Release: September 8, 1998
Northwest, Air Canada Airlines Customers With Canceled Tickets May Have Rights Under Federal Credit Law
Consumers holding tickets for canceled Northwest or Air Canada airline flights may be able to protect themselves under the federal Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA), according to the Federal Trade Commission. -
For Release: September 8, 1998
Internet Merchant Barred for Life from "Net-based" Commerce
FTC Alleged Online Auction Houses Were Used To Sell Goods that Were Never Delivered -
For Release: September 8, 1998
Miami-Dade Transit, FTC Fight Telemarketing Fraud in Miami
The Federal Trade Commission and the Miami-Dade Transit Authority are teaming up to help consumers in the Dade County area hang up on telephone fraud. -
For Release: September 8, 1998
FTC Announces Results of Inspection of Funeral Homes in Michigan Area for Compliance with Consumer Protection Law
The Federal Trade Commission today announced the results of a sweep of 42 funeral homes in the Detroit, Grand Rapids and Lansing areas. Seven of those homes appeared to be in violation of the FTC's Funeral Rule.
September 4, 1998
- For Your Information: September 4, 1998
Announced Actions for September 4, 1998
LandAmerica Financial Group, Inc., formerly known as Lawyers Title Corporation (LTC) has submitted two divestiture applications to the FTC.
- Electric Industry Restructuring: September 11, 1998
FTC Staff Files Comment with Mississippi Public Service Commission
The staff of the Federal Trade Commission on August 28 filed a comment with the Mississippi Public Service Commission concerning the Transco proposal submitted to the state agency by Entergy Mississippi, Inc.
September 3, 1998
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For Release: September 3, 1998
FTC Announces "OPERATION VEND UP BROKE": States and Feds Stop Business Opportunity Scams
In an ongoing campaign to combat vending machine scams, law enforcement officials in 10 states, together with the Federal Trade Commission, today announced "Operation Vend Up Broke" -- a sweep netting 40 enforcement actions against fraudulent vending business opportunities that offer lucrative earnings.