September 30, 2002

• For Release: September 30, 2002
  FTC Releases Agenda for Public Workshop on Possible Anticompetitive Efforts to Restrict Competition on the Internet
  The Federal Trade Commission has released the agenda and a list of panelists for its October 8-10 public workshop on possible anticompetitive efforts to restrict competition on the Internet.
• For Release: September 30, 2002
  Chairman Timothy J. Muris Promotes Effective Competition Advocacy at International Competition Network Conference in Naples, Italy
  Timothy J. Muris, Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, and Charles A. James, Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Justice Department's Antitrust Division, worked with antitrust agencies from over 50 jurisdictions to facilitate reforms in multijurisdictional merger review and to promote effective competition advocacy efforts at the first annual International Competition Network (ICN) Conference in Naples, Italy on September 28-29, 2002.

September 27, 2002

• For Release: September 27, 2002
  Resolving Anticompetitive Concerns, FTC Clears Shell Oil's $1.8 Billion Acquisition of Pennzoil-Quaker State
  Divestiture Required to Maintain Competition and Prevent Increased Prices in U.S. and Canadian Market for Group II Paraffinic Base Oils
• For Release: September 30, 2002
  Securities Trading Advisor Settles FTC Charges
  The promoter of a day-trading system who allegedly used unsubstantiated earnings claims and misleading testimonials to sell his trading system to prospective day traders has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that his marketing practices violated federal law.
• For Your Information: September 27, 2002
  Announced Action for September 27, 2002
  The Commission, with the concurrence of the U.S. Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust, has authorized the release of The Twenty-Fourth Annual Report to Congress Regarding the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Premerger Notification Program.

September 26, 2002

• For Release: September 26, 2002
  FTC Introduces Internet Safety Mascot, "Dewie the Turtle," at Privacy2002 Conference
  FTC Introduces Internet Safety Mascot, "Dewie the Turtle," at Privacy2002 Conference Commissioner Orson Swindle of the Federal Trade Commission today unveiled an Internet safety and security initiative at the Privacy2002 Conference in Cleveland, Ohio, complete with a turtle mascot.
• For Release: September 26, 2002
  FTC Launches Internet Security Initiative
  Commissioner Orson Swindle Calls for the Creation of a "Culture of Security"
• For Release: September 26, 2002
  FTC Testifies on Internet Competition
  Upcoming FTC Workshop Will Examine Whether Certain State Regulations and Business Practices May Be Impeding E-Commerce

September 25, 2002

• Media Advisory: September 25, 2002
  Testimony before House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection hearing on "State Impediments to E-Commerce: Consumer Protection or Veiled Protectionism?"
  Federal Trade Commission Testimony before House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection hearing on "State Impediments to E-Commerce: Consumer Protection or Veiled Protectionism?"

September 24, 2002

• Media Advisory: September 24, 2002
  The FTC will unveil its initiative to promote a “Culture of Security” and introduce “Dewie,” its Internet security mascot at the Privacy2002 conference.
  Federal Trade Commissioner, Orson Swindle
• For Release: September 24, 2002
  Consumer Protection Agencies Combat Cross-Border Fraud
  At a three-day meeting being held in Sydney, Australia, the Federal Trade Commission and members of the International Marketing Supervision Network (IMSN) announced two initiatives to combat cross-border fraud
• For Release: September 24, 2002
  FTC and DOD Launch "Military Sentinel"
  Online Consumer Complaint Database Designed to Help Combat Fraud Targeting the Military Community
• For Your Information: September 24, 2002
  Announced Actions for September 24, 2002
  Received a petition for approval of a proposed agreement from ConocoPhillips concerning the recent merger of Conoco Inc. and Phillips Petroleum Company; authorized the staff to file an amended complaint in the pending court matter regarding 1st Beneficial Credit Services, et al.

September 23, 2002

• Media Advisory: September 23, 2002
  Press conference to launch "Military Sentinel," a new consumer complaint database for the military community.
  Press conference to launch "Military Sentinel," a new consumer complaint database for the military community.

September 20, 2002

• For Release: September 20, 2002
  Timothy J. Muris to Participate in First Annual International Competition Network Conference in Naples, Italy
  Conference Marks Unprecedented Meeting of Over 50 Jurisdictions to Discuss Antitrust Issues
• For Your Information: September 20, 2002
  Announced Actions for September 20, 2002
  The Commission has received an application for a proposed divestiture from ConocoPhillips concerning the recent merger of Conoco, Inc. and Phillips Petroleum Company.
• For Release: September 20, 2002
  FTC Staff Provides the FDA with Comments On First Amendment Commercial Speech Doctrine
  Doctrine Called "Fully Compatible with FTC's Vigorous Consumer Protection Program"

September 19, 2002

• For Release: September 19, 2002
  FTC Provides Senate with Overview of Antitrust Activities
  Commission Has Pursued Aggressive Law Enforcement Program, Chairman Tells Committee
• For Release: September 19, 2002
  Citigroup Settles FTC Charges Against the Associates Record-Setting $215 Million for Subprime Lending Victims
  In the largest consumer protection settlement in FTC history, Citigroup Inc. will pay $215 million to resolve Federal Trade Commission charges that Associates First Capital Corporation and Associates Corporation of North America (The Associates) engaged in systematic and widespread deceptive and abusive lending practices.
• For Release: September 19, 2002
  CITIGROUP ACUERDA RESOLVER LOS CARGOS DE LA FTC CONTRA “THE ASSOCIATES”. UN ACUERDO SIN PRECEDENTES DE $215 MILLONES PARA VÍCTIMAS DE PRÉSTAMOS SECUNDARIOS
  En el acuerdo más grande de protección de los consumidores de la historia de la FTC, Citigroup Inc. pagará $215 millones para resolver los cargos presentados por la FTC contra las alegadas prácticas de préstamo sistemáticas y extendidas llevadas a cabo de manera abusiva y engañosa, en las cuales se comprometió First Capital Corporation and Associates Corporation of North America ("The Associates").

September 18, 2002

• For Release: September 18, 2002
  FTC Reaches out to Spanish-Speaking Consumers; Spanish Language Complaint Form Posted at WWW.FTC.GOV
  The Federal Trade Commission today announced the availability of a Spanish version of its consumer complaint form. Spanish-speaking consumers can use the form to submit fraud complaints to the FTC by going to the Commission's web site at www.ftc.gov/spanish.
• COMUNICADO DE PRENSA PARA SU DIFUSIÓN : 18 de septiembre de 2002
  LA FTC EXTIENDE SU ALCANCE A LOS CONSUMIDORES DE HABLA HISPANA; EL FORMULARIO DE QUEJA EN IDIOMA ESPAÑOL FUE PUESTO EN WWW.FTC.GOV
  La Comisión Federal de Comercio (Federal Trade Commission, FTC) anunció hoy la disponibilidad de la versión en idioma español de su formulario de queja. Los consumidores de habla hispana pueden utilizar el formulario para someter quejas de fraude a través del sitio Web de la Comisión www.ftc.gov/spanish.
  
• For Your Information: September 18, 2002
  Announced Actions for September 18, 2002
  The Commission has received an application for a proposed divestiture from Bayer AG concerning its recent acquisition of Aventis CropScience Holding S.A.
• Media Advisory: September 18, 2002
  Press conference to announce the settlement of an FTC law enforcement action involving deceptive and unlawful practices by a subprime lender.
  Timothy J. Muris, Chairman Federal Trade Commission
• For Release: September 18, 2002
  Consumers Who Bought into Medical Billing Opportunity Scam Find Physicians Don’t Need Their Services
  Court Order Bars Defendants From All Future Marketing and Sales Misrepresentations

September 17, 2002

• For Release: September 17, 2002
  FTC Charges Canadian-Based Company with Making False Weight-Loss and Cellulite-Treatment Claims
  The Federal Trade Commission charged a Canadian corporation operating in the United States under the name Bio Lab and its president with deceiving consumers through false advertising for their weight-loss and cellulite-treatment products in violation of the FTC Act.
• For Release: September 17, 2002
  FTC Releases Report on Weight-Loss Advertising
  FTC to Hold Weight-Loss Advertising Workshop in November
• For Release: September 17, 2002
  FTC Announces Public Workshop to Discuss the Advertising of Weight-Loss ProductsThe Federal Trade Commission will hold a workshop on November 19, 2002, to explore alternate approaches to reducing deceptive claims in advertising for weight-loss products.
• PARA SU DIFUSIÓN: 17 de septiembre de 2002
  LA FTC EMITE UN INFORME SOBRE PUBLICIDAD DE PRODUCTOS Y PROGRAMAS PARA PERDER PESO
  La FTC Realizará un Taller sobre Publicidad de Productos y Programas para Perder Peso en el Mes de Noviembre
• For Your Information: September 17, 2002
  Announced Actions for September 17, 2002
  U.S. District Court for the Central District of California has approved a proposed FTC settlement with First Alliance Mortgage Company; The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington in Seattle has entered a default judgment and order in the court matter filed against Brake Guard Products, Inc.; Brake Guard Limited Liability Company; and Kimberly Bennett in her capacity as representative of the estate of Ed F. Jones.

September 11, 2002

• Media Advisory: September 11, 2002
  The Federal Trade Commission will host a press conference to announce:
  the release of its weight loss advertising report; a law enforcement action against a Canadian-based company targeting U.S. citizens with purported weight-loss products; and a workshop schdeuled for November to explore issues relating to the advertising of weight-loss products.

September 10, 2002

• For Release: September 10, 2002
  American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works Settles FTC Charges of Anticompetitive Behavior
  Group Allegedly Illegally Restrained Price Competition Among Conservation Professionals

September 9, 2002

• For Release: September 9, 2002
  FTC Files Amicus Brief Opposing Barriers to Internet Casket Sales
  Brief Explains FTC’s Funeral Rule is Meant to Permit Competition from Independent Casket Sellers.

September 6, 2002

• For Your Information: September 6, 2002
  Announced Action for September 6, 2002
  Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved a final consent order, without modifications, and a letter to the commenter of record in the matter concerning Immunex Corporation and Amgen Inc.

September 5, 2002

• For Release: September 5, 2002
  FTC, States Give "No Credit" to Finance-Related Scams in Latest Joint Law Enforcement Sweep
  Fraudulent telemarketers constantly prey on consumers seeking personal credit or finance-related assistance, according to the Federal Trade Commission and 15 state and federal law enforcers, who today announced "Operation No-Credit" - a joint law enforcement campaign targeting a wide range of credit-related frauds.
• PARA SU DIFUSIÓN: 5 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2002
  LA FTC, EN SU MÁS RECIENTE REDADA CONJUNTA DECLARA: "NO LE DÉ CRÉDITO A LAS ESTAFAS RELACIONADAS A TEMAS FINANCIEROS”
  De acuerdo a lo declarado por la Comisión Federal de Comercio (Federal Trade Commission, FTC) y otras 15 entidades estatales y federales de seguridad, que hoy anunciaron la “Operación No-Crédito (Operation No-Credit) – una campaña conjunta de cumplimiento de la ley dirigida a una amplia variedad de fraudes relacionados a temas financieros de crédito –  las compañías fraudulentas de telemercadeo, victimizan constantemente a los consumidores que están en busca de créditos personales o de asistencia relacionada a temas financieros. 

September 4, 2002

• For Release: September 4, 2002
  Envelope Stuffing Scheme Left Consumers Stuck with the Bill
  FTC Enforcement Action, Education Helping to Stamp Out Work-at-Home Fraud
• Media Advisory: September 4, 2002
  "Operation No-Credit" - a joint Federal Trade Commission/state law enforcement campaign targeting a wide range of credit-related frauds.
  Regional Federal Trade Commission spokespersons and fraud victims will be available for interviews.
• For Release: September 4, 2002
  Statement by FTC's Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection Howard Beales on Petition to Issue New Spam Rules
  The Federal Trade Commission today received a petition - jointly submitted by three consumer groups - to adopt rules governing the distribution of unsolicited commercial email, commonly known as spam.