News Releases for May 1999
May 28, 1999
- For Release: May 28, 1999
Virginia-Based Modeling Agencies Lure Thousands of Consumers with Exaggerated Promises of Lucrative Modeling/Acting Jobs
If someone stops you on the street, hands you a card, and tells you "you've got the look," you may be on your way to becoming the victim of a modeling scam, the Federal Trade Commission advises.
- Corrected For Release: May 28, 1999
FTC Settlement with Federated Department Stores to Safeguard more than $8 Million Redress to Consumers
Resolves Charges over Collection of "Reaffirmed Debts" from Consumers in Bankruptcy
May 27, 1999
- For Release: May 27, 1999
Bogus "Talent Scouts" Use Smoke Screen To "Screen Test" Consumers
FTC Seeks to Close Down Fraudulent Model and Talent Scout Operation
- For Release: May 27, 1999
Doan's Pills Must Run Corrective Advertising: FTC Ads Claiming Doan's Is Superior In Treating Back Pain Were Unsubstantiated
The Federal Trade Commission has ordered the makers of Doan's Pills to run ads to correct misbeliefs resulting from their unsubstantiated claim that Doan's Pills are superior to other over-the-counter analgesics for treating back pain.
- For Release: May 27, 1999
FTC Agreement with Kroger and Fred Meyer Preserves Supermarket Competition in Arizona, Wyoming and Utah
The Federal Trade Commission today announced a proposed settlement agreement with Kroger Co. and Fred Meyer Stores, Inc.
May 26, 1999
- For Release: May 26, 1999
FTC Testifies Before House Subcommittee on Consumer Protection Issues in Deregulated Electric Markets
The Federal Trade Commission today presented testimony to a U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee concerning consumer protection in a deregulated electric power market.
- For Release: May 26, 1999
FTC Wins Permanent Injunction Against Talent Broker
Agency Publishes Consumer Brochure: "If You've Got 'the Look' ... Look Out! Avoiding Modeling Scams"
May 25, 1999
- For Release: May 25, 1999
Another Telemarketing Company That Sold Credit Card Protection Services for Tracker Corp. of America Agrees to Pay Civil Penalty to Settle FTC Charges
South Florida Business Ventures, based in Boynton Beach, and its owner Warren Izard, have agreed to pay a $11,000 civil penalty to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they sold a credit card program to consumers for a fee of $189 that they claimed would protect consumers from losses up to $10,000 resulting from lost or stolen credit cards.
- For Your Information: May 25, 1999
Announced Actions for May 25, 1999
The Federal Trade Commission today announced the following actions.
May 20, 1999
- For Release: May 20, 1999
DOJ, U.S. Attorney, FTC Announce Indictment of Franchisor
United States Attorney Thomas E. Scott, Acting Assistant Attorney General David W. Ogden, and the Federal Trade Commission announced today the indictment of Kenneth Sterling on criminal contempt charges.
- For Your Information: May 20, 1999
Announced Actions for May 20, 1999
The Federal Trade Commission today announced the following action.
May 19, 1999
- For Release: May 19, 1999
FTC Workshop to Address Proposed Changes to Its Pay-per-call Rule
Consumer groups, telecommunications and pay-per-call industry representatives, state law enforcement and regulatory agencies and others will take part in a two-day workshop, May 20 and 21, at the Federal Trade Commission to discuss proposed changes to the Commission's Pay-Per-Call Rule.
- For Your Information: May 19, 1999
Creation of Community Pharmacy Network as Proposed Not Likely to Restrain Competition, FTC Staff Advises
A plan to establish a network of independent community pharmacies and pharmacists, that would contract with managed care organizations and physician groups to provide both drug distribution and disease management services, appears to present an innovative approach with the potential for significant procompetitive benefits, according to staff of the Federal Trade Commission. Responding to a request for an advisory opinion from counsel for Orange Pharmacy Equitable Network ("OPEN"), FTC staff advised that it has no present intention to recommend a challenge to OPEN's undertaking negotiations to implement the model it proposed.
May 18, 1999
- For Release: May 18, 1999
FTC Attacks E-Mail Scam
E-Mail Duped Consumers into Making Costly International Calls
- For Release: May 18, 1999
Two Leading Providers of Disability Insurance Agree To Resolve FTC Antitrust Concerns
Two of the nation's leading providers of individual disability insurance have agreed to resolve Federal Trade Commission antitrust concerns arising from their merger.
May 17, 1999
- For Release: May 17, 1999
"Singer" Defendant Banned from Business Opportunity Industry
Tom Davis, a telemarketer for Vendors Financial Services (VFS), who also posed to unwitting consumers as a successful distributor of products contained in vending machines, has agreed to a permanent ban from marketing any business opportunity, franchise or business venture as part of a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission.
May 14, 1999
- For Release: May 14, 1999
FTC Negotiated Settlement Preserves Competition in U.S. Market for Life-Saving Heart-Lung Machines
Commission-Approved Buyer Named for the Heart-Lung Machine Business to be Divested under Agreement
- For Release: May 14, 1999
Quexco To Settle FTC Charges
Will Divest Lead Smelting, Refining And Recycling Assets in California
- For Release: May 14, 1999
Remarks by Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Jodie Bernstein at the FTC's Workshop on Application of Rules and Guides to Electronic Commerce
Welcome to the FTC workshop on our consumer protection rules and guides. Our goal today is to discuss how they apply to newer forms of electronic media, with particular emphasis on the Internet, today's newest, and most dynamic, marketplace.
May 13, 1999
- For Release: May 13, 1999
Dell Computer And Micron Electronics Settle FTC Charges That Ads Misled Consumers About The Costs of Leasing Computers
Agency Challenges Deceptive Internet Lease Ads
- For Release: May 13, 1999
Franklin Acceptance Corp. To Pay Record $800,000 Civil Penalty To Settle FTC Charges of Violating Equal Credit Opportunity Act;
Fair Credit Reporting Act Violations also Settled
May 12, 1999
- For Release: May 12, 1999
FTC Chairman Robert Pitofsky's Statement in Response to Georgetown University's Internet Privacy Policy Survey
"Since 1995, the Federal Trade Commission has encouraged online firms to offer privacy protections to consumers to encourage broad participation in electronic commerce.
- For Release: May 12, 1999
Claims of Weight Loss For Exercise Gliders And Abdominal Devices Not Substantiated; Ftc Alleges
Agency Continues to Pursue Deceptive Claims on the Internet
May 11, 1999
- For Release: May 11, 1999
Inetintl.Com and Inet Permanently Barred from Selling Business Ventures, Franchises or Business Opportunities
Company and Individual Defendants To Pay Consumer Redress
May 7, 1999
- For Your Information: May 7, 1999
Revised Settlement with Company that Offered "Credit Repair" Services Bans Principals from Such Business in Future;
Individual Defendants to Pay $350,000 in Consumer Redress; Additional One Million Dollar Judgment Ordered to Settle Violations of New Jersey State Law
May 6, 1999
- For Release: May 6, 1999
Deregulation and Competition in the Electric Power Industry Subject of FTC Testimony before House Subcommittee
Commissioner Mozelle W. Thompson testified today on behalf of the Federal Trade Commission before a House Subcommittee on deregulation and competition in the electric power industry.
- For Release: May 6, 1999
Young Investor Website Settles FTC Charges
Agency Alleged Website Made False Promises About Collection of Personal Information from Children and Teens
May 4, 1999
- For Your Information: May 4, 1999
Announced Actions for May 4, 1999
The Federal Trade Commission announces the following actions.
- For Release: May 4, 1999
FTC Charges Motor Oil Additive Marketers;
Ads for Dura Lube Were False and Unsubstantiated, Agency Says
- For Release: May 4, 1999
Michigan Company and its President Agree to Settle Federal Charges of Misrepresenting Credit Repair Services
A federal court has entered an order against Equity Funding & Associates, Inc., also known as Equity Funding Insurance Agency, Inc., and its president, John Cini of Bloomfield, Michigan.
May 3, 1999
- For Release: May 3, 1999
United States Announces Substantive Agreement on an Antitrust Cooperation Agreement with Japan
The substantive elements of an antitrust cooperation agreement between the United States and Japan were announced today in Washington, D.C.
- For Release: May 3, 1999
Marketer of Bogus "Viagra-like" Impotence Treatment Products Agrees to Settle FTC Charges; Six Million Dollar Bond Required
American Urological Corporation and several other companies have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they lied about the effectiveness of products to treat impotence.
- For Release: May 3, 1999
Law Enforcement Crackdown Targets Credit Repair Con Artists
Federal, State, Local Law Enforcers File 16 Cases