News Releases for November 2010

November 30, 2010

• Media Advisory: November 30, 2010
  FTC Chairman to Hold Telephone Press Availability on New Privacy ReportThe Chairman, Deputy Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection, and Chief Technologist of the Federal Trade Commission will hold a telephone media availability on Wednesday, December 1, at 1 p.m. to answer reporters’ questions about a new FTC report on privacy that outlines a framework for consumers, businesses and policymakers.
• For Release: November 30, 2010
  FTC Settles with Company that Failed to Tell Parents that Children's Information Would be Disclosed to MarketersEchoMetrix, Inc., has settled Federal Trade Commission charges that it failed to adequately inform parents using its web monitoring software that information collected about their children would be disclosed to third-party marketers.
• For Your Information: November 30, 2010
  FTC Seeks Public Comments on Agrium Inc.'s Application to Reopen and Set Aside Commission Orders Related to Its Now Abandoned Acquisition of CF IndustriesThe Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comment on an application by Agrium Inc. to reopen and set aside two FTC Orders. Under the first Order, Agrium, an agricultural products supplier, agreed to divest a range of assets as part of an agreement to allow the company to complete its acquisition of competitor CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

November 26, 2010

• For Your Information: November 26, 2010
  FTC Approves Final Order Settling Charges That Public Relations Firm Used Misleading Online Endorsements to Market Gaming AppsFollowing a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that Reverb Communications, Inc., and its owner, Tracie Snitker, engaged in deceptive advertising.

November 24, 2010

• For Release: November 24, 2010
  FTC Settlements Permanently Shut Down "Free Government Grants" Scam The Federal Trade Commission has reached settlements shutting down a website operation that allegedly deceptively touted free government grants for personal expenses or paying off debt, and then debited consumers’ bank accounts without their approval.
• For Your Information: November 24, 2010
  FTC Has Gift Card Tips for Holiday BuyingThe Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, has tips and information for consumers who use gift cards for holiday gift-giving.

November 23, 2010

• For Your Information: November 23, 2010
  FTC Approves Final Order Settling Charges that Pilot Corporation’s Takeover of Flying J’s Travel Center Business Was AnticompetitiveFollowing a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final Order settling charges that Pilot Corporation’s takeover of the travel center business of rival Flying J Inc. would have been anticompetitive and would have reduced competition in markets for diesel sold to certain long-haul trucking fleets.
• For Your Information: November 23, 2010
  FTC Warns Consumers About Online Dating ScamsThe Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, warns that scammers sometimes use online dating and social networking sites to try to convince people to send money in the name of love.

November 22, 2010

• For Your Information: November 22, 2010
  FTC Approves Final Order Settling Charges that Rite Aid Failed to Protect Medical and Financial Privacy of Customers and EmployeesFollowing a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges against Rite Aid Corporation, and sent letters to members of the public who submitted comments on the order.

November 19, 2010

• For Release: November 19, 2010
  FTC Issues Final Rule to Protect Struggling Homeowners from Mortgage Relief ScamsRule Outlaws Advance Fees and False Claims, Requires Clear Disclosures
• For Release: November 19, 2010
  FTC Announces Series of Actions Against Mortgage Relief Operations Charged with Deceiving Distressed HomeownersThe Federal Trade Commission today announced a series of law enforcement actions as part of the FTC’s continuing crackdown on scams that target homeowners behind in their mortgage payments or facing foreclosure.
• For Your Information: November 19, 2010
  FTC Issues Performance and Accountability Report for Fiscal Year 2010The Federal Trade Commission has issued its Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 Performance and Accountability Report.

November 18, 2010

• Media Advisory: November 18, 2010
  FTC to Announce Rule to Protect Homeowners from Mortgage Relief Scams During Middle Class Task Force EventDuring an event hosted by Vice President Joe Biden to announce initiatives to help middle class and low-income families secure their legal rights, Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz will announce a new rule protecting homeowners from deceptive mortgage relief companies, and several law enforcement actions against mortgage loan modification and foreclosure rescue companies.
• For Your Information: November 18, 2010
  Nearly One Million LifeLock Victims to Receive Refund Checks from FTCAn administrator working for the Federal Trade Commission began mailing refund checks yesterday to 957,928 people who were victims of allegedly false claims made by LifeLock, Inc., which told consumers it could provide absolute protection from identity theft if they signed up for its identity protection service.
• For Release: November 18, 2010
  FTC to Send Refund Checks to Consumers Who Bought Bogus "Ab Force" Weight Loss DevicesAn administrator working for the Federal Trade Commission will mail 34,130 refund checks today for approximately $17.89 each to consumers who were deceived into buying “Ab Force” electronic stimulation devices by advertisements that falsely claimed they could help people lose weight.

November 17, 2010

• For Release: November 17, 2010
  FTC Sends Warning Letters to Marketers of Caffeinated Alcohol DrinksTells Promoters of Four Loko, Joose, Core Spiked, and Others That Marketing May Be Deceptive or Unfair

November 16, 2010

• For Your Information: November 16, 2010
  FTC Approves Fidelity National Financial’s Proposal to Sell Rights to Michigan Title Plant Assets to Data Trace Information Services, Inc.; FTC Approves Agilent Technologies’ Application to Modify an Agreement Related to its Varian AcquisitionFollowing a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a proposal by Fidelity National Financial, Inc. to sell rights to certain assets used in conducting real estate title searches.
  The Federal Trade Commission has approved an application by Agilent Technologies, Inc. to modify one of the contracts that accomplished a divestiture required by a final FTC Order.
• For Your Information: November 16, 2010
  FTC Approves Final Order Settling Deceptive Advertising Charges Against Former POM Wonderful Vice President Mark DreherFollowing a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that Mark Dreher, Ph.D. – who was Vice President of Science and Regulatory Affairs of POM Wonderful LLC from approximately August 2005 to May 2009 – made false and unsubstantiated claims that POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice and POMx supplements prevent or treat heart disease and prostate cancer.

November 15, 2010

• For Release: November 15, 2010
  FTC Requires Universal Health Services to Sell 15 Psychiatric Facilities as a Condition of Acquiring Rival Psychiatric SolutionsThe Federal Trade Commission will require Universal Health Services, Inc., one of the nation’s largest hospital management companies, to sell 15 psychiatric facilities as a condition of its $3.1 billion acquisition of Psychiatric Solutions, Inc.
• For Release: November 15, 2010
  At FTC's Request, Court Shutters International Robocall OperationCompanies Falsely Promised to Reduce Consumers’ Credit Card Interest Rates

November 10, 2010

• For Release: November 10, 2010
  FTC Puts Conditions on Simon Property Group’s Acquisition of Prime OutletsSimon Agrees to Divest Property and Eliminate Restrictions That Would Hinder Outlet Mall Competition in Ohio, Illinois, and Florida

November 9, 2010

• For Your Information: November 9, 2010
  FTC Staff: Proposed Alabama Rule Would Likely Limit the Availability and Increase Cost of Pain Management Services for Alabama ConsumersIn a comment to the Alabama State Board of Medical Examiners, Federal Trade Commission staff said that the Board’s proposed rule – which would require that interventional pain management services be provided exclusively by doctors – appears overly restrictive and likely detrimental to Alabama patients.

November 8, 2010

• For Your Information: November 8, 2010
  FTC Extends Comment Period for Proposed Policy Statement Clarifying How to Collect Decedents’ DebtsThe Federal Trade Commission is extending the public comment period, until December 1, 2010, on a proposed policy statement clarifying when the FTC will take action under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the FTC Act against companies who contact the relatives of deceased consumers to collect the decedent’s debts.

November 5, 2010

• For Your Information: November 5, 2010
  FTC Approves Final Order Settling Charges that Coca-Cola’s Acquisition of its Largest North American Bottler Was AnticompetitiveFollowing a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final
  Order settling charges that The Coca-Cola Company’s $12.3 billion acquisition of its largest North American bottler, which also distributes Dr Pepper brand carbonated soft drinks in specific geographic markets, would have been anticompetitive.
• For Your Information: November 5, 2010
  FTC Gets $3.6 Million Judgment Against Companies that Allegedly Debited Money from Consumers' Bank Accounts Without PermissionAt the request of the Federal Trade Commission, a federal court has entered a judgment of more than $3.6 million against a payment processor and its subsidiary that allegedly debited consumers’ bank accounts illegally on behalf of deceptive telemarketers.
• For Your Information: November 5, 2010
  New Business Center Can Help Boost Compliance with FTC LawThe Federal Trade Commission has a new Business Center at Business.ftc.gov that gives business owners, attorneys, and marketing professionals the tools they need to understand and comply with the consumer protection laws, rules, and guides the FTC enforces.

November 4, 2010

• For Release: November 4, 2010
  At FTC’s Request, Judge Imposes Ban on Marketers of “Detox” Foot PadsAdvertising Claimed “Ancient Japanese Secret” Could Treat Medical Conditions
• For Release: November 4, 2010
  FTC Names Edward W. Felten as Agency's Chief Technologist; Eileen Harrington as Executive DirectorFederal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz today announced the appointment of Edward W. Felten as the agency’s first Chief Technologist. In his new position, Dr. Felten will advise the agency on evolving technology and policy issues.

November 2, 2010

• For Your Information: November 2, 2010
  FTC Approves Modified Intel Settlement OrderFollowing a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a modified settlement order resolving charges that Intel Corp. illegally stifled competition in the market for computer chips.

November 1, 2010

• For Release: November 1, 2010
  FTC Fines Online Retailers for Failing to Post EnergyGuide Information for AppliancesThree Firms Will Pay More Than $400,000 in Total Penalties